SPRINGFIELD, Mo., January 12, 2026 – Five remarkable individuals have been chosen to be honored by Drury University for the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards, which will be presented in a ceremony as part of Drury’s Homecoming Week festivities, 5:30 p.m., Friday, February 6, at the O’Reilly Enterprise Center in the Judy Thompson Executive Conference Center.
The Distinguished Alumni Awards were founded in 1951 to recognize individuals who have achieved professional and personal successes, shown their loyalty to Drury and demonstrated exemplary service to their community. Nominations are taken from the Drury community and the Alumni Council selects the honorees.
To register for the ceremony, please click here.
The 2026 honorees are:
Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Donald Flesche ’56
A 1956 graduate of Drury College, Dr. Donald Flesche devoted 35 years to Kalamazoo College, where he served not only as a professor but as a mentor, leader and champion of community engagement. His influence extended well beyond the classroom as he encouraged generations of students to think deeply about citizenship, law and public service. In recognition of his enduring impact, former students established the Donald C. Flesche Visiting Scholar Lecture Series, ensuring his legacy of intellectual curiosity and civic responsibility lives on.
Dr. Flesche’s service to the college was wide-reaching. He advised pre-law students, contributed to key academic and campus committees and became a beloved campus figure as the “Voice of the Hornets,” announcing athletic events for 37 years. His leadership and dedication earned him multiple honors, including the Weimer K. Hicks Award, the Florence J. Lucasse Lectureship and the Distinguished Service Award.
Beyond campus, Dr. Flesche has been a pillar of the Kalamazoo community. For more than 50 years, he has volunteered with the USTA Boys’ 18 & 16 National Championships, where his outstanding service was recognized with the prestigious Green Jacket Award.
Dr. Donald Flesche’s lifelong commitment to education, integrity and community engagement embodies the spirit and mission of Drury University. His remarkable legacy continues to inspire others, making him an exceptionally deserving recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Community Service Award – Dr. Mark Martin ’71
A 1971 graduate of Drury College, Mark Martin has dedicated decades of service to Lee’s Summit through medicine, volunteerism and civic leadership. A family physician with HCA, he practiced medicine in Lee’s Summit for 35 years and served two terms as president of the Kansas City Academy of Family Physicians and one year as the president of the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians. Through his involvement with the Lakewood Garden Club, Mark became engaged with the Gardens at Unity Village, where he volunteered for five years before becoming farm manager three years ago. He oversees the planting, harvesting and operation of the five-acre farm that supplies local Saturday markets, with all unsold produce donated to local charities serving those in need.
A passionate advocate for veterans, Mark is a founder of Heartland Honor Flight and has served as the volunteer physician on 38 consecutive flights to Washington, D.C. In recognition of his extraordinary service, he was chosen to sit in the Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat at a Royals Game. Mark’s unwavering commitment to his community reflects his deep passion for community service and his readiness to help in any capacity.
Career Achievement Award – David Petiford ’82
A 1982 graduate of Drury College, David served as President of Sigma Nu Fraternity and was a member of the golf team.
David began his career with IBM as a part-time employee while a student at Drury. Over the next 20 years, he rose through the ranks to serve at the highest levels of IBM senior management. His IBM roles included Director of the Wal-Mart account; Director of Retail Industry for Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and his final role was General Manager, Worldwide Retail Industry. He later joined Microsoft, where he was General Manager for consulting services supporting the retail and healthcare industries. Before retiring in 2018, David served as President of Chronic Watch, a medical software firm specializing in exception-based patient engagement systems that enable physicians to monitor a patient’s progress remotely and adherence to prescribed treatment plans and medications. David has a wife, Patty, and two daughters, who all reside in the Connecticut and New York City area.
Young Alumni Award – Samantha Williams ’15
A 2015 graduate of Drury University, Samantha Williams is an exceptionally dedicated leader who brings unwavering determination and heart to every commitment she undertakes. She currently works for Cencora, a global pharmaceutical distributor, where she serves as a Strategic Account Manager. Samantha made her initial connection to Cencora through her Senior Seminar presentation at Drury and celebrated her 10th anniversary with the company in July 2025. In her role, she consults with community oncology clinics across the nation to help develop profitable business strategies, with a focus on contract strategy and pull-through. Her book of business spans approximately 30 oncology clinics across seven states, representing nearly $1.5 billion. Samantha has translated both her education and professional expertise into meaningful community engagement and service.
Her leadership as President of the Junior League of Springfield (2023-2024), following her service as Management Director-Elect (2022-2023), reflects her deep commitment to strengthening the Springfield community.
Samantha’s compassion is equally evident in her personal service. As a longtime mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, she has continued to maintain a meaningful connection with her “Little Sister” well beyond her formal term of service. In addition, she leads and supports women through her role as President of the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club and furthers community well-being through her service on the Greene County Domestic Violence Shelter Board.
Known for her integrity, work ethic and genuine care for others, Samantha consistently demonstrates what it means to lead with purpose.
Faculty/Staff Appreciation Award – Professor Bruce E. Moore, AIA, LEED AP
Professor Moore, a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Architecture, is one of the founding faculty members of the Hammons School of Architecture and is in his 40th year at Drury University.
He has coordinated and taught building systems, natural systems and systems integration content and building design as the sole faculty in this area for the full duration of the program. Fully committed to the success of the school and its alums, he coordinated and designed the initial accreditation evidence display and content for the next three accreditation team visits. He also served as Associate Director of HSA for 17 years and Acting Director of the HSA for two years.
As a licensed architect in Missouri, he has an active practice as an acoustical design consultant, often with architects and firms teamed with his alums, with recognized projects published and awarded locally, regionally and nationally.
For more information on the Distinguished Alumni Awards, please contact the Advancement Office via email at alumni@drury.edu.
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Media Contact: Cris Belvin, Director of University Communications & Media Relations | (417) 873-7392 | gbelvin@drury.edu