Drury University (DU)

From day one, Drury students are engaged in real research and scholarship with faculty mentors. This is a rare advantage; one that speaks to Drury's singular approach to equipping students for leadership in the 21st century. Through its distinctive Your Drury Fusion program, the University provides students with an opportunity to blend career, calling, life, community, self and service to gain a broader perspective on the world. It also is a place where students get to really know their professors as well as their classmates, creating a strong sense of culture and community that transcends the classroom.

Established in 1873, Drury University sits on 90 acres in the heart of Springfield, Missouri. A designated "Tree Campus" by the Arbor Day Foundation, it is an oasis within the city where students are engaged in highly interactive, intellectual exercises that teach them to be flexible, innovative and creative problem solvers.

The university offers all of the majors you would expect from a top liberal arts university plus majors like architecture, music therapy, software engineering, computer game design and a pre-med program with five pre-acceptance partner medical schools.

Your Drury Fusion provides all students multiple credentials, holistic advising which combines academic and career planning from day 1, and a minimum of three experiential projects over your four year career. The Drury Difference leads to 97" of graduates employed or in professional or graduate school within six months of graduation.

Students at Drury do not spend their class time in lecture halls. They like to be part of the action. Students are immersed in hands-on, real-world experiences such as showing their work at the Pool Art Gallery, designing campers for local disabled homeless individuals, and working with a Congolese refugee support program that provides healthcare to those most in need.

Drury University empowers students to practice "meaningful involvement everyday" with excellent, personalized co-curricular experiences that are based on a variety of topics, interests, and fields of study. Over 85" of Drury students are involved in extracurricular activities spanning nine different categories and over 70 organizations. There are ample opportunities for students to gain friends within similar interests, improve leadership skills, network with faculty and staff, and make your mark on Drury's campus.

Drury also gives students the opportunity to learn alongside students from all over the country and the world. The Drury University student body represents 37 states and 52 countries.

Student Organizations and Activities include:

Campus Ministries
Choral groups
Concert band
Dance
Drama/theater
Greek Organizations
International Student Organization
Jazz band
Literary magazine
Model UN
Music ensembles
Musical theater
Pep band
Radio station
Student government
Student newspaper
Student-run film society
Symphony orchestra
Television station

When asked to describe their peers, undergrads at Drury immediately boast that they are "very engaging and friendly." One student quickly illustrates, "Walking down Drury Lane you say hello to at least five people, some you may not even really know; however, people are so nice and welcoming here that you don't have to...know [them] to say [hi]." Aside from this gregariousness, Drury undergrads are "bright and ambitious" and filled with "awesome school spirit." Moreover, many students desire to become "informed global citizens." As another undergrad proudly states, "I am surrounded by students who take every opportunity and experience to learn about themselves, their community, and the world." Hence, these undergrads love that the university draws students "from all around the world." In fact, it's not unusual for a person to find himself "sitting next to someone from Springfield (a local) or someone from Germany or Kenya." Perhaps this explains why "acceptance is a big part of [Drury's] campus." Indeed, "everyone tries to be as unified as possible." It helps that Drury's small size means that there's "so much room for building friendships and the possibility of knowing a good majority of the students here is most certainly possible." As this satisfied undergrad concludes, "I never imagined a college campus could feel so supportive and connected until I came to Drury."

There's plenty of fun to be had at Drury. To begin with, "during the fall semester you can find a lot of activity outside and on the campus green spaces, mostly sporting activities sprinkled with friendly gatherings and discussions." Additionally, a large number of students "volunteer in the community on a weekly basis." And most people "participate in at least one organization on campus." "Greek life is really big here" as are "intramural sports... such as basketball and volleyball." If those activities aren't your thing, fear not. The Student Union Board hosts "a lot of events" and those are typically well attended. Undergrads do note that "there is a party scene," as well, although mostly off-campus. Drury students are also rather adept at making their own fun. As one individual shares, "The students on my hall love to have board game nights, and we...watch movies together." Lastly, the Springfield area offers "plenty of bars and clubs" that become quite popular on the weekends. And there are plenty of "coffee shops, restaurants, bookstores, bakeries, movie theaters, etc." too.