Drury University students Cameron Beavers ’25, Savannah Belko ’25, and Isabella Woidela ’25 were selected as finalists for the prestigious Gilman Scholarship for Study Abroad. The Gilman Scholarship is granted to U.S. undergraduate students who demonstrate academic preparedness to participate in a designated program and design a service project.

Beavers, Belko, and Woidela give Drury nine Gilman Scholarship recipients over the past three years, including four during the 2024-25 academic year alone.

“It’s exciting that so many Drury students have competed successfully on a national level and were able to articulate their passion for international study as linked to their future profession,” Dr. Shelley Wolbrink, Drury Professor of History and Fellow for the National Scholarships, said. “Having three Gilman Scholars this spring, and four in total this year, exemplifies our determined student body who, through mentorship, seek additional opportunities to fuel their professional growth.”

Beavers, Belko, and Woidela received financial stipends to facilitate their proposals. Administered by the U.S. Department of State, the Gilman Program awarded scholarships to more than 3,500 undergraduate students in 2025.

Drury University’s Physician Assistant (PA) program honored its inaugural graduating class on Saturday, Nov. 1, in Stone Chapel.

The graduation ceremony was the culmination of 26 months of practical and professional study for the program, which was established in 2023. Each of the graduates completed 14 months of didactic curriculum and 12 months of clinical rotations.

“This inaugural class represents far more than our program’s first graduates. They are pioneers and changemakers who embody hope for communities long overlooked,” Drury PA Program Director Dr. Justin M. Gambini said. “These physician assistants will confront health care inequities, bridge health care deserts, and bring compassionate, high-quality care to every corner of our communities. They carry not only knowledge and skill, but a calling — to serve with courage, conviction and heart and to forever define what it means to be a Drury PA.”

A total of 28 graduates received their Master of Science diplomas while wearing hoods trimmed in traditional Kelly green, signifying the field of medicine.

Drury University’s annual Champions Challenge, presented by Thompson Sales Company, enjoyed another record-setting show of support from Panthers supporters from all over the globe. In total, 1,003 donors contributed $463,647 during the 10-day campaign that concluded on Sept. 25.

The funds raised by the Champions Challenge will help support student-athletes participating in Drury’s 20 NCAA programs and 12 non-NCAA sports. This year’s event marked the sixth year for the Champions Challenge, which has generated more than $1.6 million since its inception in 2020.

Drury University women’s soccer captured the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Championship in mid-November, defeating McKendree in a penalty shootout, 3–2, after playing to a scoreless draw through 110 minutes.

The tournament title is the third in program history, and Drury’s first since 2021. The victory secured the GLVC’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.

The shootout was the second-straight such effort for the Panthers in tournament play. Drury elected to shoot first, and Anna Harris buried her penalty kick to take an early advantage. The Bearcats then converted their first attempt to level the playing field.

The Panthers found themselves on the short end of a 2-1 shootout score after missing their next two PK attempts. Goalkeeper Katy Fitzler kept Drury’s hopes alive when she saved McKendree’s next attempt before Leah McDonald stepped up and leveled the match, 2-2.

Fitzler made another save on McKendree’s final attempt with another save to keep it 2-2. Keira Love’s attempt for Drury reached the back of the net and gave the Panthers a 3-2 lead.

Fitzler again came up big for the Panthers, making a championship-clinching stop on McKendree’s fifth and final penalty kick and sending Drury into a delirious celebration.

The victory clinched Drury’s fourth NCAA Tournament appearance. The Panthers faced 13th-ranked Ashland in the opening round of the Midwest Regional, suffering a 1-0 loss to close out the season.

Drury continued its long-standing tradition as nearly 400 first-year students took part in the annual Drury Service Plunge on Monday, Aug. 18, at five different locations across Springfield.

Volunteers at Ozarks Food Harvest made over 510 senior boxes, packed hundreds of weekend backpacks, and sorted over 8,500 pounds of produce. Student volunteers provided enough resources to represent over 25,000 meals for Springfield residents.

Additional volunteers at local parks assisted with a variety of cleanup efforts, including garbage and assorted large debris from the streams and the surrounding flood plain.

Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jennifer Joslin said, “Springfield citizens are deeply engaged in volunteer and civic work, and the Service Plunge reminds us that Drury has been a part of that effort for decades. This event is the first of many this year to pair Drury students with community organizations that make meaningful contributions to Springfield. We are so proud of this tradition!”

The Service Plunge not only provides a platform for students to give back but also encourages lasting relationships between the university and surrounding community organizations. Through hands-on volunteering experiences, students gain valuable insights, develop teamwork skills, and create memories that last a lifetime.

Drury University donors committed more than $11.8 million in fiscal year 2025 (June 1, 2024-May 31, 2025) in outright gifts, pledge payments, and future commitments, helping advance the university’s mission to develop students into engaged global citizens and community leaders.

A highlight of the year was the second-highest performance ever in annual giving, with more than $3.2 million being contributed to the Drury Student Success Fund. This fund provides immediate-use support that enhances every aspect of the student experience — from scholarships and academic support to career preparation and campus life. The success of the annual fund was significantly boosted by the O’Reilly-Wooten Challenge, which issued $1.5 million in matching funds.

“We are especially grateful for the exceptional support of the O’Reilly and Wooten families and their Student Success matching challenge, which inspired others to give and helped elevate our impact,” Drury University President Dr. Jeff Frederick said. “We celebrate the O’Reilly and Wooten families and all our donors who made this year a success.”

In addition to outright gifts and pledges totaling more than $6.6 million, donors also committed $5.2 million in future support through new pledges and new planned gifts. These new commitments contribute to the momentum of Drury’s comprehensive Fortify the Future Campaign. The campaign, which continues through May 31, 2027, provides support for student scholarships, endowments, heritage facilities, and development initiatives.

Drury finalized its 30th Athletics Hall of Fame induction class, which includes six legendary figures who will be enshrined as new members of the Class of 2025-26 on Saturday, Jan. 10, at the O’Reilly Enterprise Center in the Judy Thompson Executive Conference Center.

This year’s induction class includes Bailee Nunn Berger (women’s swimming, 2016-20), Daejah Bernard (women’s basketball, 2016-20), Brooke Antenen Byl (volleyball, 2012-16), Caleb Cole (baseball, 2011-14), Hailey Diestelkamp (women’s basketball, 2016-20), and Jarrod Smith (head tennis coach, 2006-23). DU

Click here to register for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Members of Drury’s triathlon team pose with their third-place trophy at the conclusion of the NCAA Championship in Tempe, Arizona, in early November. Drury placed third among Division II programs and 11th overall out of 36 teams. Alexis Workman led Drury, placing seventh in Division II and 42nd overall with a time of 1:06:34. Kristina Vestman finished 13th in Division II and 56th overall at 1:08:55. Tarryn Brumley placed 15th in Division II and 66th overall with a time of 1:10:24, while Cayman Barnes followed in 16th in Division II and 69th overall at 1:10:31. Mayumi Shinozuka rounded out Drury’s top five, finishing 18th in Division II and 72nd overall with a time of 1:10:49. Workman earned first-team All-America honors for her top-seven Division II finish. Vestman was named to the second team while Brumley, Barnes, and Shinozuka received honorable mention All-America honors.