WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES! This time last year, Melinda and I were living and working at Wingate University outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. I was developing a couple of new graduate behavioral health programs, working on a university economic development town and gown concept to create entrepreneurial opportunities for farmers and food systems companies, and preparing to start a university program for students with intellectual and development disabilities. A year later, we are thrilled to be here at Drury, enjoying Springfield and the Ozarks, and loving the chance to connect with students, faculty, staff, alums, and people who love the university.
Everywhere I’ve been since June 1 when I hit town, I have heard what I call Drury stories: narratives of time spent at the university finding your people, your purpose, and learning and refining a set of skills that would last a lifetime. To a person, I have heard about connections with a faculty member, coach, staff member, roommate, fraternity brother or sorority sister, or an internship that transformed a life and set you on the road to a life of meaning and accomplishment. Sometimes these connections created business partnerships; sometime they led to grad school, fellow travelers, teammates, best friends, or confidantes. Not surprisingly, some of the Drury stories led to a marriage, then children who came to Drury, and even some grandchildren who became Panthers as well. The connections between campus and community created a sea of opportunities as people, purpose, and skills came together. That’s Drury.
Our work has never been easy, but personal relationships and a learned ability to connect is needed now more than ever. In a never-ending torrent of technology changes, Drury has maintained a commitment to small class sizes, direct instruction, and pausing long enough to help students learn life skills just as they learn classroom, lab, and studio skills. At Drury, whether you are in the Day, GO, or a graduate program, you will always be a name — a person — and not a number. Thanks to so many that I’ve had a chance to get to know in the last few months. Thanks as well for all of you who support Drury through your prayers, well wishes, time, talents, and treasure. When we all pull together, we become #OneDrury, an unstoppable force grounded in individual and collective excellence.
Believe in the work we do, and in each other.
Jeff Frederick, Ph.D.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES! This time last year, Melinda and I were living and working at Wingate University outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. I was developing a couple of new graduate behavioral health programs, working on a university economic development town and gown concept to create entrepreneurial opportunities for farmers and food systems companies, and preparing to start a university program for students with intellectual and development disabilities. A year later, we are thrilled to be here at Drury, enjoying Springfield and the Ozarks, and loving the chance to connect with students, faculty, staff, alums, and people who love the university.
Everywhere I’ve been since June 1 when I hit town, I have heard what I call Drury stories: narratives of time spent at the university finding your people, your purpose, and learning and refining a set of skills that would last a lifetime. To a person, I have heard about connections with a faculty member, coach, staff member, roommate, fraternity brother or sorority sister, or an internship that transformed a life and set you on the road to a life of meaning and accomplishment. Sometimes these connections created business partnerships; sometime they led to grad school, fellow travelers, teammates, best friends, or confidantes. Not surprisingly, some of the Drury stories led to a marriage, then children who came to Drury, and even some grandchildren who became Panthers as well. The connections between campus and community created a sea of opportunities as people, purpose, and skills came together. That’s Drury.
Our work has never been easy, but personal relationships and a learned ability to connect is needed now more than ever. In a never-ending torrent of technology changes, Drury has maintained a commitment to small class sizes, direct instruction, and pausing long enough to help students learn life skills just as they learn classroom, lab, and studio skills. At Drury, whether you are in the Day, GO, or a graduate program, you will always be a name — a person — and not a number. Thanks to so many that I’ve had a chance to get to know in the last few months. Thanks as well for all of you who support Drury through your prayers, well wishes, time, talents, and treasure. When we all pull together, we become #OneDrury, an unstoppable force grounded in individual and collective excellence.
Believe in the work we do, and in each other.
Jeff Frederick, Ph.D.
PUBLISHER
Drury University
Dr. Jeff Frederick, President
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Shanda Trautman
MANAGING EDITOR
Janet Rock
WRITER / EDITOR
Rex Ybañez
DESIGNERS
Max Prater, Janet Rock
PANTHER TRACKS EDITOR
Michelle Hethcoat
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Jasmine Cooper
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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