SPRINGFIELD, Mo., August 20, 2025 – Drury University continued its long-standing tradition this week, as nearly 400 first-year students took part in the annual Drury Service Plunge on Monday, Aug. 18, at five different locations across Springfield.
Students performed various service activities at the following locations:
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.
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Media Contact: Cris Belvin, Director of University Communications & Media Relations | (417) 873-7392 | gbelvin@drury.edu