SPRINGFIELD, Mo., December 14, 2024 — Drury University celebrated a milestone week in student achievement with 220 graduates earning their diplomas during two ceremonies. On Saturday, December 14, the university held its main commencement for 199 students, including 59 from Day School, 13 from the College of Graduate Studies, and 127 from Drury GO. Earlier in the week, on December 12, 21 students graduated from the Drury University Law Enforcement Academy (LEA), rounding out a remarkable week of accomplishments.
At Saturday’s ceremony, Dr. Jeff Frederick, University President, welcomed all and congratulated the institution’s graduates.
“You did it! A few obstacles were in the way, and you overcame them,” he said. “A couple of doubts may have made their way into your thinking, and you brushed them aside. On days where you may have given in or given up, you did not. Much of the hard work you set out to accomplish and complete may have seemed insurmountable, but you climbed the mountain. Today, we celebrate you and your achievements.”
“Go out and do little things well.”
University Chaplain Dr. Peter Browning served as commencement speaker. He reflected on a quote from Thomas Merton, a famous Trappist Monk.
“Instead of trying to be great, we should try to be little, which is to say we should be ourselves. When we are ourselves, we can let go of all the anxiety and worry associated with when we compare ourselves to others. And so today, graduates, I want you to be little. I don’t want you to be big. I want you to do the little things you’ve been doing all along to have a precious and good life.”
Dr. Peter Browning has taught philosophy and religion and served as chaplain at Drury University since 1991. He will be retiring after the 2024-25 academic year. He has had deep connections with generations of students working with them in the classroom, exploring the spiritual and ethical part of their life as the university chaplain, along with delving into research and writing in the area of Christian ethics and applied ethics. He also has been a marvelous colleague to a wide swath of the faculty and the Drury School of Religion board. Dr. Browning has been a shining example of a committed community member through his collaboration on producing various conferences, speakers’ visits and educational programs concerning faith, vocation and servant leadership.
He concluded his speech by encouraging the recent graduates to experience joy from the little things.
“Do the little things, the thousands of little things, and invest not in some great vision way out there but in the communities where you find yourself. Grow where you are planted. You will find joy. You will find wonder. And may you, in about forty – no, fifty year years from now, be invited to stumble up in front of a microphone and to say, ‘It’s been a wonderful life.’”
To watch the recording of the event, visit www.drury.edu/commencement/.
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Media Contact: Kevin Kropf, Ed.D., Executive Vice President of Enrollment Management, Marketing & Communications | Office: (417) 873-7524 | Email: kkropf@drury.edu