SPRINGFIELD, Mo., August 19, 2026 – Drury University continued its long-standing tradition this week, as nearly 400 first-year students joined faculty and staff in taking part in the annual Drury Service Plunge on Monday, Aug. 17, at six different locations across Springfield.
Students, faculty, and staff performed various service activities at the following locations:
Volunteers at Ozarks Food Harvest packaged 16,524 pounds of food which equates to 14,610 meals. The event featured more than 80 students, faculty, and staff.
At Crosslines Community Outreach, more than 60 individuals assisted with the Diaper Bank of the Ozarks and Ambassadors for Children programs.
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. Nearly 300 students, faculty, and staff assisted with cleanup efforts at James River Basin.
“Winston Churchill said, ‘You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.’ Drury is committed to serving our community to improve the quality of life for everyone,” Faculty Fellow for Community Engagement and a Distinguished Professor Dr. Laurie Edmondson said. “The service plunge was just the first opportunity for our new students to engage in community service. They will go on to have many more opportunities in their time with us on campus. It was so heartwarming to be part of this wonderful day. We know that the investment we make in our community will come back in ways that we cannot even imagine now. Our students will be prepared for a bright future in their professional life, and a rich experience in their personal life by contributing to the greater good.”
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