SPRINGFIELD, Mo., July 23, 2026 – Alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff and community supporters invested more than $14.5 million in Drury University during Fiscal Year 2026, expanding opportunities for current and future students.
The year’s total includes more than $11.5 million in gifts received during the fiscal year, along with millions of dollars in new endowment commitments and planned gifts that will benefit Drury students for generations to come. These investments support scholarships, academic excellence, student success and the university’s highest priorities.
The announcement follows Fiscal Year 2025, when donors contributed $11.8 million to the university. Fiscal Year 2026 reflects another year of exceptional philanthropic support and continued confidence in Drury’s mission, demonstrating the growing commitment of alumni and friends to the university’s future.
“We are deeply grateful to every donor who chose to invest in Drury this year,” Drury President Dr. Jeff Frederick said. “Their generosity is changing lives by creating opportunities for students today while strengthening the future of our university. We are especially thankful to the O’Reilly and Wooten families for their continued leadership and vision. The O’Reilly-Wooten Challenge has become a remarkable tradition at Drury, inspiring others to give and demonstrating what is possible when a community comes together in support of our students.”
A major catalyst for the year’s success was the O’Reilly-Wooten Challenge, which expanded to $1.8 million in matching funds through the extraordinary generosity of the O’Reilly and Wooten families. The challenge inspired hundreds of donors to maximize the impact of their gifts, resulting in $3.2 million for the Student Success Fund, the second-highest annual total in the university’s history. The challenge also encouraged significant investments in endowed and planned gifts, creating momentum that extended throughout the fiscal year and reinforcing a culture of philanthropy across the Drury community.
“These results reflect the confidence our alumni, parents, and friends have in Drury University’s future,” Board of Trustees Chair Walt George ’79 said. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I extend our sincere appreciation to every donor whose generosity made this remarkable year possible, especially the O’Reilly and Wooten families for their inspirational challenge. I also want to recognize President Jeff Frederick, Executive Vice President for Advancement Melanie Earl-Replogle ’99 and the University Advancement team for their outstanding leadership and dedication. Their commitment to strengthening relationships with our donors, enhancing stewardship and expanding philanthropic opportunities has positioned Drury for continued success and will benefit the university for years to come.”
Every gift, regardless of size, helps ensure that talented students have access to the personalized, transformational education that defines the Drury experience. As the university enters the final year of the Fortify the Future campaign, Drury remains committed to expanding opportunities for students while strengthening the institution for generations to come.
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Media Contact: Cris Belvin, Director of University Communications & Media Relations | (417) 873-7392 | gbelvin@drury.edu