How Drury’s Student Leaders Keep Their Community Connected
by Rex Ybañez
Every corner of Drury University tells a story — the conversations on the sidewalks, the laughter in Findlay Student Center during lunch time, the quiet focus in Olin Library, and especially the trees that perch in perfect placement. Then there are the stories lived out by student leaders who build connections and pride on campus. Among them, two organizations stand out for their impact: the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Drury Student Ambassadors. Both give students a voice and a purpose, helping the university feel as personal as it is ambitious.
The Voice of Students: Drury’s Student Government Association
Each week, the Student Government Association (SGA) meets in the Hoblit Suite of the Freeman Panhellenic Hall to discuss initiatives, funding, and upcoming events. Senators, committee chairs, and student leaders gather with a shared interest — to make life at Drury better for everyone.
Danielle Buker, Vice President of Marketing & Communications for SGA, sees those meetings as the starting point for meaningful change. “We meet weekly to review proposals, check in with executive members, and talk through upcoming events,” she said “A lot of people don’t realize how much SGA does behind the scenes.”
That work touches nearly every corner of campus. SGA allocates funds to student organizations, organizes large events like The Final Roar, and leads projects such as Family Day wreath decorating and the annual Security Walk to assess campus safety. “We’re always trying to make sure students feel seen, supported, and connected,” Danielle says.
The group also partners closely with faculty and administrators to keep student perspectives at the center of decision-making. Danielle believes that the balance of collaboration and independence is part of what makes Drury unique. “Drury encourages you to be involved in everything that excites you,” she says. “You can be an athlete, a leader, or a traveler and still help shape the place you’re growing up in.”
SGA’s leadership reflects the best of Drury: a culture built on listening, accountability, and action that improves daily life for students.
photo by Tori Harding
photo by Bobby Hearn
The First Handshake: Drury’s Student Ambassadors
Many students first encounter that same spirit before they even enroll. The moment a prospective student steps onto campus, a tour guide is there to greet them with a smile and a story. For visitors, that first interaction often defines how they see Drury.
“Our job starts way before anyone shows up,” says Lori Beeman Eisenhour ’06, Director of Campus Visits and Events. “We’re the liaisons between coaches, faculty, financial aid, and the Compass Center for these students. We personalize every visit — from setting up meetings to making sure students have their own designated parking spot.”
That level of care shows visitors what community feels like. “We want every student to see themselves here,” Eisenhour says. “That’s how they start connecting to campus.”
For Kaylie Carpenter, a current Student Ambassador, she says, “Event days are where everything comes together. Our ambassadors show up, provide assistance, and share their experiences with people on these visits. When prospective students ask, ‘What makes Drury home for you?’ I see it in our team. The ambassador group is my Drury Difference.”
Olivia Kucsik, another student tour guide, has discovered her own sense of belonging through this work.
photo by Bobby Hearn
“President Frederick once told us, ‘Take it seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously,’” Kaylie recalls. “That really stuck with me. Connection happens when you’re authentic.”
“Drury is a quirky community, and we embrace that,” she says. “When I give a tour, I share what I value most — my friendships, my professors, the creative energy that fills this place. Every tour feels different because every student is different.”
Student Ambassadors also help during major event days, organizing schedules, leading panels, and helping families navigate campus. “President Frederick once told us, ‘Take it seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously,’” Kaylie recalls. “That really stuck with me. Connection happens when you’re authentic.”
Olivia says that she leads with curiosity: “For me, having this job is both a commitment and a guarantee: to guide others and share the most important things you value about Drury to new students who then begin to love the campus.”
photo by Bobby Hearn
photo by Bobby Hearn
Connecting Through Leadership
SGA and Student Ambassadors approach their work differently, yet both strengthen the same thing: the sense of belonging that defines Drury. One gives current students a voice in shaping the university. The other helps future Panthers imagine themselves as part of it. Together, they keep the Drury story alive and growing.
Students like Danielle, Kaylie, and Olivia remind us that leadership is less about authority and more about intentionality. Drury is a campus that cultivates leaders who live by a model of service to others. Every conversation, every idea, and every guided walk across campus helps make Drury not just a university but a place one can return, where every corner holds a memory — small talk that blurred into exchanges of ideas from evenings long ago, collaboration among peers that ignited curiosity and wonder, those first moments of connecting with friends who then became family.
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DRURY MAGAZINE FALL 2025
PUBLISHER
Drury University
Dr. Jeff Frederick, President
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Levi Costello
WRITER / EDITOR
Rex Ybañez
DESIGNER
Janet Rock
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Cris Belvin
DIGITAL DESIGNER
Max Prater ’17
PANTHER TRACKS EDITOR
Kayla Warner ’21 MComm ’23
Drury Magazine, a publication for alumni and friends of Drury University, is published twice each year. The mission of Drury Magazine is to engage readers in the life of the university, reflect the university’s values and capture the intellectual curiosity and distinct community that is Drury.
The views presented do not necessarily reflect or represent those of the editors or the official policies of Drury University.
Share your thoughts with us: editor@drury.edu
Drury Fusion™ is a registered trademark of Drury University.
