As classrooms expand into virtual spaces and lectures stream across continents, the meaning of “campus”continues to evolve and represents something different for different types of students. Campus — whether physical or digital — remains a vital hub where ideas spark through conversation, communities take shape, and a sense of belonging deepens beyond the screen. We asked members of the Drury community: 

How has the role of campus changed in the age of online courses and an ever-increasing digital life?

Caroline Red

Political Science & Integrated Business | Sports Leadership & Ethical Leadership

The biggest role Drury’s physical campus plays in my life is providing a welcoming community. As someone who is not from Springfield, it is so comforting to know that there are so many people on campus at Drury who are here to support me in any way I need while I’m away from home. I see evidence of that willingness to ‘show up’ every single day. I love how connected the community on campus is and how my professors know my name. It is so nice to go to class and feel supported by professors and classmates alike.

Stephanie Hyde Red ’03

Board of Trustees Member
Caroline’s Mother

It is so encouraging to me to see the heart of Drury active and alive in the very same ways it was when I was on campus. In such a digitally connected world, it’s easy to lose the value of physical presence, but at Drury, there is so much evidence of the high value the university places on face-to-face connections. Students still gather informally in front of Olin Library. Professors still conduct classes outside. People linger in the Commons — and these days, there’s always a pickup game happening at the Panther Pad. In these ways, and so many more, it’s obvious that members of Drury’s community still value each other deeply.

Greg Booker ’87

Associate Professor of Communication & Communication Department Chair

When I was a student at Drury, during the age of dinosaurs, being together in the classroom with my peers felt like a shared adventure in knowledge. Online classes, which have become quite ordinary and expected, can make it more difficult to cultivate that sense of community. However, that adventure in knowledge can be shared by so many more people. Geographical boundaries are no longer a factor, and the inclusion of non-traditional students makes for a richer experience.