Environmental stewardship and sustainability are some of the cornerstones of Drury University as an institution. In this modern industrial world, saving the environment is harder than ever and more essential than ever. Brenna Davis and Brandon Landers are up the challenge.
Brenna Davis is a Drury sophomore and Springfield native majoring in fine arts with a minor in architecture. She is very active on campus, working as vice president of Think Green and participating with the -Ism Art History Club and the Asian Cultures Club. Since her freshman year, Davis worked with Dr. Anderson as a recycling assistant and was approached earlier this year to be promoted to a sustainability manager. “Since I was a child, I always had an immense love and respect for nature, I mean, it's what I always played in,” says Davis. “I knew sustainability was an important responsibility. I remember thinking that I could never throw my trash on to such a beautiful world or ever endanger its animals.” Brandon Landers is also a sophomore from Stockton, Mo. majoring in business administration with aspirations of adding arts administration and art history and a minor in architecture. He is the president of Bacchus as well as the events coordinator of Think Green. Additionally, Landers works with the Green Team from Boyd Elementary. “To me personally, sustainability is important because we do not own this earth, we just live here,” says Landers. “Whether you think about this from a religious standpoint or just generally want to leave your children and grandchildren a better place to live, sustainability makes sense.” Davis enjoys the small community atmosphere that Drury offers: “Everyone keeps trying all the time, even when we lose some support, there is still someone who tries to stand up and say, ‘HEY we've got to keep at this and be sustainable! Don't give up! Sustainability is kinetic.” Landers is also aware of the barriers between a carbon-neutral campus and Drury as we currently know it, yet he remains optimistic. “We live in an era where students actually care about this planet and want to help out as much as they can start with where they are today. We have a university president that stands behind the campus when it comes to sustainability. We have key faculty and staff who work passionately in this area, working day after day to ensure Drury's continued green practices,” says Landers. “While we would like to edge towards this effort further, that is all we can currently do is ‘edge’ towards it. The new sustainability fee will be a very good resource and will help further fund our needed change on campus. I was initially amazed when I visited the campus and believe we are truly blessed with a community that supports sustainability.” Davis and Landers are both also part of the President's Council on Sustainability. The two of them plan to work together with as many people as possible in order to help Drury University become a more sustainable environment so that they can leave this place better than they found it. | 
