But even with prolonged success, HSA needed a boost, a better way to reach today’s prospective students. Social media was the obvious method, but asking professors and deans to tackle that chore while also balancing teaching and administration was a tall task.

Enter Claire Nation.

A third-year Architecture major from Monett, Mo., Nation has been running HSA’s social media for about two years, ever since she approached HSA Dean Joshua Nason about how she could help.

“Claire stopped by the office one day and had questions about our social media,” Nason said. “I could tell she wasn’t fond of what we were doing. I finally asked her what she would do differently and within 45 seconds, I knew she had a better plan than we did. So I just asked her when she could start. Her efforts have transformed our social media presence.”

Nation, who has a professional background working with social media for non-profits, said she saw an opportunity to help.

“I’m a fixer. If I see a need, I’ll fill a need,” she said. “Why not volunteer my skills if I can help. It’s something I have an interest in.”

Nation didn’t just take over HSA’s social media, she transformed it.

Since Nation took over late in the spring of 2025, HSA has seen a 521 percent increase in page visits to Instagram, and an 873 percent increase in interactions, two of the most important measures of social media impact. Facebook page visits have more than doubled, and interactions have seen a 163 percent increase over the previous 14 months.

Consistency, and messaging, have been the keys to the growth.

“When there isn’t a specific person in charge of social media or it’s just kind of thrown around, it becomes a platform where people share fliers and information,” Nation said, “instead of a documentary setting where it’s being used to document personal parts of what the HSA experience is all about.”

Nation’s efforts have paid off, as Drury welcomed its largest-ever first-year HSA class in August.

“When we look at the numbers of views online, it’s pretty clear,” Nason said. “We have alumni, and families and students mention it when they come on tours. We think the strategy that’s been developed, we totally trust Claire. She knows what she’s doing.”

For Nation, social media may not be just a passing fancy. More and more architecture firms have begun to integrate social media into their strategies, and they’re hiring architects to handle those duties.

“Small firms are really making an effort to hire recent grads to run their social media,” Nason said.” The and-1 aspect of what she’s doing will really pay dividends when she’s out looking for jobs.”

Be sure to visit HSA’s and pages to see Nation’s work.

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Juniors Owen Cornell (Bolivar, Missouri) and Kaiden Kristek (Springfield, Missouri) each received $1,000. Cornell (Biology) and Kristek (Biochemistry) were told about the opportunity by Dr. Bethany Scanlon, Instructor of Biology & Director of Pre-Health Science Programs at Drury.

“Dr. Scanlon informed me about this opportunity during my freshman year but other students were selected, “ Cornell said. “When I learned about it again during my sophomore year, I decided to apply. It seemed like a great opportunity.”

Both Cornell and Kristek spoke about ways in which the scholarship will help them as they move toward their ultimate goal of attending medical school.

“Grants like these help students who are very involved on campus and may not have an abundance of time to work on the chance to apply to medical school,” Kristek said. “It allows me to do what I am passionate about and worry less about the costs associated with applying to medical school.”

Cornell concurred.

“This grant puts me one step closer to my career goals by relieving some of the financial burden of pursuing a degree in biology,” he said. “It will free up time that otherwise would have been spent finding other ways to pay for school.”

Cornell has plans to become a physician assistant, while Kristek is still choosing his post-graduate path.

“Our students often have to overcome significant obstacles in this already arduous journey, and sometimes those obstacles are financial in nature,” Scanlon said. “Grants like the ones provided by the Paul Carrick Trust are important because not only do they open up new options for the students but because it says to our students, ‘I see you. I believe in you. You’re worth investing in.’”

Last year, Drury students Aubrey Foster and Kyla Clubb were recipients of the Paul Carrick Trust grant. Clubb is currently in the Biomedical master’s program at Missouri State University, while Foster is in the process of applying to optometry schools.

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by Emma Schoeller

From an early age, Lauren Bloxom embarked on her lifelong pursuit of discovering the world around her. “Growing up I was always surrounded by animals and exploring different kinds of biology — looking for snakes, turtles, or bugs while hiking or stopping to see deer or foxes off the road,” Lauren said.

Intrinsically curious, Lauren’s interests evolved over the years to include music, foreign language, and the humanities. However, her enthusiasm for one discipline emerged early in her childhood: science.

“I’ve always loved science,” Lauren said. “I would get science kits for Christmas, a microscope—all that stuff.”

Lauren, who is local to Springfield, knew she wanted to “do something in science,” but it was at Glendale High School that she honed in on her passion: neuroscience.

“I took a psychology class in high school and fell in love with the brain and everything that it does. But I didn’t think I necessarily wanted to go into psychology,” Lauren said.

Drury Fusion provided the path that Lauren was looking for. The curriculum’s unique philosophy allowed her to not only concentrate her interest in the brain but also explore additional fields of study. Her curated degree includes a Biochemistry major; certificates in International Immersion and Life in Up Close: Film, History, and Society; and minors in Behavioral Neuroscience, Spanish, and the Honors Program.

To keep reading, click here.

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It takes everyone on campus to make One Drury a reality. A powerful outcome from acting in unity around the story of who we are and how we work together is the legacy that’s left behind by each person involved, even when they are no longer physically on campus. Whether it’s because of graduation, retirement, or moving on to a new phase of life, every person connected to Drury is a part of the university’s history. We asked members of the Drury community: 

Ali Deckard
Biochemistry + Mathematics, Pre-Engineering & Honors | Student Government Association President

My approach has always been to show up, speak honestly, and advocate for students, even when that means standing firm or asking difficult questions. If my time at Drury helped move conversations forward and made it a little easier for the next group of students to speak up and lead, that’s more than enough for me.

Chip Parker ’83 MEd ’89
Associate Dean of Students for Student Success

That I have made a positive impression with my students, my staff colleagues, and faculty that I have interacted with over the years. That I have ultimately made a difference in their Drury experience and helped someone succeed through our interaction. I have been labeled “a fixer,” so I hope that is true and I have made a difference in someone’s life.

Dr. Mark D. Wood ’81
Professor of Chemistry

The ethos of Drury was created from the hearts of Congregationalist missionaries who believed education could provide a balm of healing to the wounds inflicted by civil war. I am blessed to help continue this tradition of love and respect toward our students – and to believe our calling guides young minds to lives full of meaning and purpose.

Dr. Peter Browning
Retired Professor of Philosophy & Religion

My time at Drury was a gift for me. I loved teaching philosophy and religion courses. I delighted in holding weekly worship gatherings where many students got their first chance to preach. I also found joy in organizing conferences and in doing research and writing. I’m convinced that legacies aren’t chosen by us as much as they are recognized by others. I have no idea what my legacy will be. However, I do know that I wish for our new chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Charles Neff, the same joy, wonder, excitement, and sense of fulfillment that I had across the decades.

Bonnie Wilcox
Executive Assistant to the President

After more than three decades at Drury, my legacy isn’t tied to a single role but to the relationships, experiences, and shared successes along the way. I’ve been fortunate to serve in several positions across campus, each one deepening my appreciation for this community and the people I’ve had the honor to work with through the years. Some of my most meaningful memories come from working with the SIFE team and traveling with them as they competed nationally and on the world stage, and from being a fan of Drury basketball. But above all, I’m most proud that both of my daughters graduated from here. Drury has shaped my professional life and my family’s story, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

Dr. Jennifer Joslin
Retired Director of the Robert & Mary Cox Compass Center

It was my great honor to serve as the first Director of the Cox Compass Center, a truly unique center for student success. The thrill of working with alumni donors, grant-funders, faculty, staff, and students was tremendous. I hope to be remembered for helping to launch such an amazing Center for students. My unofficial legacy was having a lot of fun with as many colleagues as possible everyday!

Rylie Blankenship
Political Science + Theatre | Student Union Board President | Head Resident Assistant

When I graduate this May, I would like my legacy that is left behind at Drury to be centered around kindness. When people think of me, I would like to think I bring a smile to their faces. I hope they remember our funny conversations that usually would lead to me cry laughing. I am grateful for all of the opportunities Drury has given me, and I am grateful that the roles I leave behind are being filled by other wonderful Drury students.

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The following is an excerpt from the Spring 2026 issue of Drury Magazine

Drury University’s purpose is to change lives through a personalized education. At Drury, students build lasting relationships, discover their sense of purpose, and gain skills that support a meaningful and successful life. Graduates often share stories about the people and experiences that had a lasting impact on them.

One Drury reflects the belief that the university community should be respectful, supportive, and cooperative. It emphasizes working together, valuing one another, and serving each other.

We spoke with four people from four very different walks of Drury life: a faculty member, a staff member, a traditional student, and an online student, to hear their thoughts on what One Drury means to them.

To keep reading, click here.

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Winter Kinne ’05 MBA ’10 and Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling ’03 MA ‘04 provided the commencement addresses for Drury’s two graduation ceremonies. A total of 443 students were conferred degrees, including those from Day School, Drury GO, and the College of Graduate Studies (CGS).

Winter Kinne, Community Foundation of the Ozarks President & CEO, addressed the Drury GO and CGS graduates on Friday, using the Tony Award-winning Musical Hamilton to draw parallels with the impact Drury had on her.

Kinne, a native of Mount Vernon, Missouri, originally wanted to go away for college. She ended up staying close to home instead.

“I will be honest with you,” Kinne said. “I thought I was throwing away my shot when I came to Drury. I didn’t mean to go to school here. But Drury offered me an amazing scholarship opportunity. So instead of going far away like I told my 18-year-old self I would, I ended up 30 minutes from home.”

Ultimately, Kinne admitted, “I was wrong. I loved my Drury experience. From student life to campus activities to my professors and lifelong friends. I got my first real job because of Drury.”

On Saturday, former NBA referee Holtkamp-Sterling spoke to Day School graduates about following their dreams and not being afraid to adjust those dreams throughout their lives.

A member of Drury’s inaugural women’s basketball team, Holtkamp-Sterling used the program’s early successes as a guide for her professional life.

“Nobody told us we couldn’t do it,” she said of Drury’s appearance in the 2004 national championship game, just a few years after the program began. “That’s the most important thing Drury ever taught me.”

Holtkamp-Sterling illustrated how dreams can change by using the Drury campus and its growth as an example.

“The school I’m standing in today is not the school I left 22 years ago,” she said. “The university that taught me to be the first person to walk through the door has kept walking through new doors of its own. And that’s exactly what it should be doing.”

When Holtkamp-Sterling graduated in 2003, she returned the next year to obtain a master’s degree and continue her basketball playing career. She never imagined during those years that she would someday pick up a whistle as a referee and make history in the process as just the third woman hired to be a full time NBA official. She told graduates that while following your dreams matters, it’s just as important to make sure to dream big.

“I’m not here to tell you to follow your dreams,” she said. “I’m here to tell you that your dreams, as currently constructed, are probably too small. And the only way you’ll find out is by walking toward the unknown on purpose.”

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Sponsored by Cox Health, the event featured six teams – 2 each from Drury and Evangel, and one each from Missouri State and OTC – competing for cash prizes, internship possibilities, and an opportunity to participate in a behind-the-scenes tour of Cox Health North.

“Drury University and the Breech School of Business were pleased to help facilitate such a wonderful event, sponsored by Cox Health,” said Dr. Dan Bumblauskas, Dean Breech School of Business. “It was great to have participation from all four schools in the area, and we look forward to continued partnerships on events like this in the future.”

The CASE Competition gave teams an opportunity to present case studies on the future of health care, and featured a question-and-answer session between the teams and a panel of judges.

Drury’s team of Lukas Rieber, Matteo Pisu, and Marco Romano finished second and secured a $2,500 prize with their presentation of CareOS: One Platform. Two Flywheels. The presentation focused on advancing system-wide employee and consumer experience through AI, technology, people, and processes.

Drury’s other team also performed admirably. That team consisted of Hannah Bryant, Nyheeta Powell, Aweellie Aganya and Jiana Knighten. The quartet’s presentation was entitled Integrating People, Process, & Technology to Elevate Cox Health NPS.

A team from Evangel University took home the top prize of $5,000.

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Owen will be discussing his new book “The Wicked Among Us: Murder, Blackmail, and Book Collecting in the Ozarks”, a deep dive into the murder of Springfield resident Roland Comstock, an eccentric attorney, owner of pet wolves, and curator of a massive, world-famous personal book collection in the Ozarks—whose 2007 murder stunned the community.

Owen, who knew Comstock personally and worked for him right out of law school, spent years researching and writing this compelling story, filled with all the intrigue, mystery, and twists of a gripping true-crime drama.

Murray is a professor at New York University School of Law and the host of the popular Strict Scrutiny podcast, which offers timely and accessible commentary on the U.S. Supreme Court and the broader judicial culture surrounding it. Professor Murray is a nationally and internationally renowned scholar of constitutional law and family law. She is a frequent voice in national media, has guest-hosted Deadline: White House for Nicolle Wallace, and previously clerked for Federal Judge (and future Supreme Court Justice) Sonia Sotomayor.

About The Meador Center

The Department of Political Science and International Affairs at Drury University houses the L.E. Meador Center for Politics and Citizenship, supported by the Meador Endowment. Founded in 2015 in honor of Professor L.E. Meador, the Drury University Meador Center for Politics and Citizenship is dedicated to the academic inquiry of politics and citizenship in the modern world. The work of the Meador Center is to inspire and engage Drury University students and faculty to work toward that “more democratic and more hopeful world” of which Professor Meador spoke.

For more information on the Meador Center Speaker Series, contact Meador Center Director Dr. Daniel Ponder at (417) 873-7394 or deponder@drury.edu.

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A high-energy adjunct professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences at Drury since 1991, Pierce ends every class with a magic trick, something he has been doing since before he arrived in Springfield.

“I do about 40 different tricks,” Pierce said. “Card tricks, silk tricks, mind-reading tricks. Sometimes it ties in directly to the lesson, but mostly it’s just for fun.”

Earlier this month, freshman Kole Esselstyn .

“He told us if he didn’t get out in under three minutes, we’d get an extra five points on the next test,” Esselstyn said. “And, of course, he made it in under two minutes.”

Esselstyn didn’t know it at the time, but his recording would soon become social media gold.

Around noon on Feb. 10, Esselstyn posted a 30-second clip of Pierce with the tag of, “My psych professor is crazy” to one of his two Instagram accounts,. By 4:30 p.m., the video had 100,000 views. By the time he went to bed, it was up to 2 million views.

By the next morning, it was at 10 million.

As of midday on Feb. 24, the video had been viewed more than 34.7 million times and had 3.1 million likes, making it one of the most viral videos on Instagram for the month of February. The video became so popular, ESPN SportsCenter reached out to Esselstyn and the video was featured by social media content factories Viral Hog, LADBible, and Overtime.

While Esselstyn is soaking up the attention a viral video brings, Pierce is taking it all in stride.

“I don’t really have a concept of what’s going on. I’m on Facebook a little bit, but I’m mostly doing research,” Pierce said. “I’ve been doing the same thing at the end of every class all these years, and I’m glad somebody’s getting smiles out of it.”

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But that’s not the case for all students. In December, 19 Drury students from the Breech School of Business and Hammons School of Architecture joined Dr. Gehan Dhameeth, Associate Dean & Associate Professor of Marketing at Breech, on a trip to his native Sri Lanka as part of Drury’s long-standing Study Abroad program.

And while the students took in the beauty and culture of the South Asian island located just off the southeast coast of India, they were much more than tourists.

Sri Lanka is home to as many as 7,500 wild elephants, which are protected in Sri Lanka. And while those elephants are beautiful and majestic, they can also be a nuisance for the farming community. That’s where the Drury students came in.

“There is a specific location of Sri Lanka which we call Habarana,” Dr. Dhameeth said. “That’s where the highest numbers of human-elephant conflict exists. I took the students there to help the farmers who are affected by elephant attacks. They learned about the natural techniques the farmers use to keep elephants away and chase them out in order to safeguard their crops.

“We also learned from researchers about the behavior of the elephant, how human beings should avoid conflicts with them, and the strategies that they use.”

In helping be a part of the solution, the students also learned more about global farming techniques and supply chain operations in a developing nation.

“Our students technically helped the farmers plant their crops and pack them up in the initial stages of the supply chain,” Dr. Dhameeth said. “They were able to understand the difference between the labor-intensive process in a country like Sri Lanka versus automated processes like what we have here in the United States.”

The students were so taken with the trip and the entirety of the experience that, for many, it won’t be their last visit.

“Several of the students said they want to go back and do it again,” Dr. Dhameeth shared. “Several of them have already promoted this trip to their parents, and now the parents are asking how to contact local partners to arrange their own similar trip.”

As one might imagine, getting from Springfield to Sri Lanka isn’t easy. Dr. Dhameeth and his student contingent traveled for 34 straight hours, making stops in St. Louis, Toronto, and London before finally touching down in Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital, for their 8-day stay.

The students making the trip were: Loreli Fronabarger, Annika Gabel, Brady Horton, Jase Howard, Camden Kozikoski, Branden Lowe, Jake Lyons, Brendan Moehle, Vishanta Patterson, Riley Petrone, Ways Raasch, Elijah Roberts, Kyle Romanewicz, Thomas Shuster, Aidan Spaulding, Abby Stunja, Noah Wells, Jase White, and Danielle Buker.

“It wasn’t an easy trip; they had to do all of the work,” Dr. Dhameeth said. “They seemed to enjoy it. Several students commented that it was an experience they never expected to have.”

And one they won’t soon forget.

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