DAVID HARRISON ('59) is an award-winning author and has been a musician, scientist, editor, speaker, and businessman. He holds degrees from Drury and Emory universities and was Southwest Missouri State University’s first recipient of the honorary doctorate of letters. His latest collection of poems – Connecting Dots – reached libraries and bookstores in November 2004. The 64-page volume of memoir poems spanning Harrison’s lifetime marks his 65th book for young people and teachers. His work has been reprinted in classroom texts and statewide reading tests, anthologized in fifty books, and translated into more than ten languages. Total sales of his books exceed fifteen million copies.

Since1999 a trio has been performing David’s poems set to music. Somebody Catch My Homework, the 2002 play inspired by his poetry, has been performed often in the United States and, in 2004, in the Czech Republic. David’s work has been presented on national television and radio, including the BBC in England, and produced on cassette and CD-ROM. His poem, “My Book”, is sandblasted into the Children’s Garden sidewalk at Phoenix’s Burton Barr Central Library. A room is named in his honor in The Library Center in Springfield, Missouri. His 90-minute television documentary, Ozarks Voices, The Story of Springfield, was placed in the Library of Congress’s permanent collection for works of distinction.

DAVID O'REILLY ('71) is co-chairman of the board and chief executive officer of O'Reilly Auto Parts, a family-owned company. He graduated from Drury in 1971 with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration and economics. Active in the community, David has served on a number of local boards including Springfield Family Y, Boatmen's National Bank, The Bank, Springfield Catholic Schools Development Board, and the Drury Alumni Advisory Council. He also serves his industry by holding board and leadership positions with Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association, Auto Value Associates, Inc., and Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance.

LYLE REED ('70, '72) is a former railroad executive who received his bachelor's degree from Drury in 1970, and his M.B.A. in 1972. After some 30 years in the rail industry with Kansas City Southern Railway, St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (the Frisco), Burlington Northern Railroad, and Chicago Central and Pacific Railroad, Reed is currently president of Bois D'Arc Industries. He also serves as a member of the Drury Board of Trustees.