Words are more than tools for expression for Zachary Stockton — they are a call to action. A senior from Topeka, Kansas, Zachary has leveraged his studies in English and Writing, along with certificates in Film, History & Society, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, to build a voice rooted in justice, storytelling, and service. His Drury Fusion experience has become the bridge between scholarship and activism, preparing him to confront inequality with both intellect and empathy.
Zachary made history in 2025 when he was named Drury University’s first Truman Scholar. The prestigious award recognized not only his academic excellence but also his unwavering dedication to public service. His application highlighted his work with a local tenants union.
“I think there’s a level of responsibility I hold now,” Zachary says of the Truman Scholarship. “I have this opportunity that a lot of students haven’t had in the past. I feel so blessed to be where I’m at now, and I also feel very grateful — my professors have opened every door I needed open.”
Zachary’s commitment to service has been shaped by both his upbringing and his experiences at Drury. Growing up in Topeka, he witnessed firsthand economic inequality. His family’s open-door policy — always offering a safe place to neighbors in need — instilled in him the belief that community begins at home. “My whole life, people in the community who didn’t have a safe space could come to my home,” he reflects. “My family is the reason I have this heart.”
At Drury, Zachary immersed himself in student organizations that amplified his commitment to equity. He has been active in Student African-American Brotherhood (SAAB), Black United Independent Collegiate (BUIC), Drury’s student-led newspaper “The Mirror” (where he is the current Editor-in-Chief), and the English Honorary Society. Through advocacy, journalism, or scholarship, he has sought ways to uplift others while sharpening his leadership.
“Zach embodies every quality we might hope to find and develop in a Drury student,” observes Dr. Kevin Henderson, Professor of English and Chair of Languages and Literature. “It’s truly impressive to see him use his talent for writing, editing, literary analysis, and film studies as a means of serving the Springfield community. For Zach, even the most prestigious academic awards are just a foundation for a lifetime of advocacy and leadership.”
His impact, however, reaches beyond Springfield. In the summer of 2025, Zachary was awarded a Critical Language Scholarship from the U.S. State Department, which took him to Tanzania for intensive Swahili study. “It was life-changing,” he says. “My host family was the best part of the entire program. I went in knowing nothing, and at the end of the program, I did a 10-minute project on housing policy in Swahili.” The experience expanded his cultural perspective while deepening his dedication to addressing inequality on both local and global scales.
Faculty mentors in English and leadership studies describe Zachary as a student who consistently integrates academic excellence with social advocacy. His work exemplifies the interdisciplinary spirit of Drury Fusion: blending narrative, history, policy, and lived experience as a response to urgent challenges, such as housing insecurity and poverty.
Looking ahead, Zachary plans to complete a master’s program in social work. His ultimate goal is to focus on urban inequity and confront systemic issues, such as redlining and housing discrimination in large urban centers.
“I know that what I want to do is help people directly in the community,” he says. “Scholarship and activism don’t have to be separate; they can and should fuel each other. That’s how lasting change happens.”
While he is unsure which graduate program aligns with his commitments to deep community involvement, Zachary wishes to plant himself in a large urban center like Chicago or Philadelphia. He plans to work as a program developer, community liaison, or outreach specialist to connect families in underresourced neighborhoods to help them in economic development, educational attainment, or housing security.
Through his journey, Zachary embodies the transformative power of Drury Fusion: curiosity sharpened by study, compassion grounded in community, and leadership shaped by service.
photos courtesy Zachary Stockton
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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.
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