Drury University
Springfield, MO, USA

Reviews

Drury University

Brianna from Springfield, MO

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Drury University is a small, private, liberal arts college in the heart of the Midwest. The area is beautiful and provides the perfect environment for a great education. The staff and faculty are very helpful and truly care about the education and success of their students.
Tips for prospective students
Drury isn't cheap, but the education is worth it. If you value one-on-one work with teachers and a small, friendly environment, I would highly recommend it! Whether you know exactly what you want to major in or not, Drury is the perfect place. The academic advisers are extremely helpful!
Academic Rigor
Once you declare your major and start upper level classes in that department, the classes become a little more challenging, but because the professors are helpful, success in them is achievable.
Dorm Life
I have not lived in the dorms, but I have heard complaints that maintenance on the buildings is sometimes sub-par, and they are very expensive.
Food and Dining
There are two dining options on campus. The first is a cafeteria -style dining hall, which serves an array of food choices, including vegetarian/vegan options. The second is the CampusExchange (CX), which is more of a fast food style restaurant with very yummy meals. There are also many restaurants near campus.
What to do for fun
On campus, there are many events planned throughout the year by the Residence Life Association and the Student Government Association, along with sporting events. Nearby is the Springfield Downtown area which has many restaurants, bars, a movie theater, a vintage arcade and much more!
Bang for the buck
Drury is expensive, but compared to the other area colleges, is totally worth it! The university is accredited with many great undergad opportunities, such as study abroad, which over 50% of students participate. It is also the perfect size. Not too big, where you are overwhelmed, but not too small so you do feel like you are in college.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The first tradition at Drury is our Convocation series. Speakers from all over the country come to give presentations on Thursday mornings. Another tradition is the Late Night Breakfast served during finals week at 10 p.m. A hot spot on campus is the Fraternity Quad. All the good parties are there.
Great for these types of students
Drury is great for any student looking for a personalized education as well as making lasting friendships and having fun too!
Clubs and Activities
There are student clubs for every person! You name it, we've got it!
Campus Safety
The university is just north of Springfield's downtown, but the campus is private so soliciting is illegal. The security officers patrol all hours of the day/night and there is a Springfield Police Station on campus. You can call the security office for escorts at night.

Ayla from Ironton, MO

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Drury has a spectacular, comfortable campus and a wonderful atmosphere to go with it. Because it is a smaller campus the focus is on the students as individuals first. Best of all, this campus strives to involve students throughout the community.
Tips for prospective students
1) Get to know as many faculty and staff on campus as possible because they can help you with almost anything!
2) Unless you're a big guy, don't go with the largest meal plan because it is kind of overkill.
3) Feel free to join every club you're interested in, then slowly weed them out as you discover how they fit in your schedule and interests.
4) When making your schedule, if none of your friends have had the professor in question then check out their reviews online.
5) Sign up for the leadership certificate program! It looks spectacular on your resume and it just gets you involved that much more.
Academic Rigor
If you choose the right classes that interest you then you will learn and have a good time, but if you take a class simply to fulfill a requirement (without it striking your interest) it can be really difficult (for example: Intro to Comparative Politics to fulfill an English major's global studies requirement). Most professors will assign things accordingly based on the level of the course.
Dorm Life
There is a HUGE variety of housing on campus with a variety of prices to go with them. The roommate placement survey is kind of scarily accurate, but that just makes the dorm living arrangements so much better. Sunderland is a really good building for incoming freshmen because they will place you in Living Learning Communities where everyone in your hall will have a common interest and share a Core class, but you get to have a room to yourself and only share a bathroom with one other person. College Park apartments have a similar setup to Sunderland, but you also get a furnished living room and decent kitchen. The apartments are a little beat up, but that is to be expected from general wear and tear through the years. With all housing on campus comes housing activities as well, which usually involve games and free food!
Food and Dining
The Commons at Drury are a pretty standard buffet-style setup with a decent variety of options. The CX also has a pretty common lineup of chicken wraps, burgers, sandwiches, etc. if you know that you want something like that for certain. The hours for either of these choices are usually pretty great whether you're an early riser or you forgot to eat before you went to the library to study. When in doubt for dinner though, explore some options in Springfield because there are very few places you can go wrong. I highly recommend Pickelman's, Kai, and Bambino's for food, but if you're looking for a good coffee place try The Potter's House.
What to do for fun
Drury almost always has something going on from convocations to after hours events sponsored by a club to fun workouts. To find something to do all you have to go to the Drury Calendar (D.Cal) and you are guaranteed to find something. If volunteering is your thing then you can also check out some of the upcoming volunteer opportunities through the community outreach and leadership development page.
Bang for the buck
You're going to be paying a pretty penny for just about any private liberal arts college, but Drury is really good about offering financial aid. No matter how much you have to pay out of pocket though you are going to get a great lineup of classes, activities, clubs, and experiences.
Great for these types of students
Writers, Leaders, Artists, Volunteers

Gail from Sioux Falls, SD

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Drury University is an outstanding education for a very reasonable price. Drury remains rated 11th Best Midwest Universities by U.S. News and World Report and was named one of the nation's 50 Best Value private colleges in 2010 by the Princeton Review. Not to mention last year alone, Drury students were awarded $9.1 million in scholarships and grants.
Tips for prospective students
1. Prepare yourself to communicate with your professors.
2. Have no fear when holding pen and tongue.
3. Express yourself creatively and divinely.
4. Courage is the key to exemplary and successful education.
Academic Rigor
Ah haâ?¦ The vision for our program is what makes Drury a place of greatness. This is where academic rigor meets community engagement. Why? Drury Connect is a program bringing forth a plan to build stronger ties with the community and the population at large. This program is designed to stress the importance within the school to achieve team work and networking skills. These events are structured around a series of Advisory Councils in areas where we most obviously connect to the university and/or have the greatest potential for doing so in these focus areas:
â?¢Architecture
â?¢Business and Economic Development
â?¢Continuing Professional Studies
â?¢Education and Outreach
â?¢Environment
â?¢Fine and Performing Arts
â?¢Health Sciences
â?¢Campus Culture
These initial priorities represent, in our collective judgment, those areas that most obviously connect us to the community and in which we are best poised to move forward most quickly in the community to produce the most impact on society.

For instance, we have a meeting on Habitat for Humanity and other organizations to improve society. Our University pulls ahead in achievement directly surrounding our community. These are our imperatives and, we set them to motion. This design will only help our school flourish and grow radically.
Dorm Life
This is what I read dorm life is like at Drury University...

Amber Perdue says, Each Resident Assistant (RA) is responsible for planning social and educational events for the hall each semester. Activities can range from attending a Drury campus event together to having a private hall party with your fellow residents. Whether you head to Wilhoit theatre to see the latest Drury Theatre Department production or everyone tie-dyes t-shirts and has a pizza party, there are numerous opportunities to have fun and connect with your hall-mates.

I also read they have barbeques and caramel apple making parties also. Seems like a blast... All they need is me and some water balloons.

Move-In Day

As stated by Amber Perdue a junior at Drury, As you pull into the parking lot, a group of enthusiastic Drury students greet you and start helping you move all your things into your residence hall. By the time you check-in and register, all your stuff will arrive in your room, leaving you lots of time to unpack, become familiar with the residence hall and settle into your room a bit before orientation activities later that day.

This sounds like a whale of a lot fun... I wish I could attend a dorm party and a move in... What fun!!! Again, all they need is me and some water balloons... Lol.

Food and Dining
The Commons Dining Hall features rich robust buttery meals to health nutty grain and fiber meals. All of these choices center students options of food items such as, deli meats, cheeses, breads, warm comfort food, vegan entrees and vegetarian entrees, ethnic foods and tastes, wellness entrees, a fun salad bar, and a yummy dessert station!
The Commons is known to specialize in weekly and seasonal events to elevate students out of their mind and body and into a new frame of mind. No one needs stress and strain when they are trying to eat chicken wings. They just need some good olâ?? warmth and enjoyment!
For the busy student on the go they offer handy to go containers and fancy to go silverware! Onward Ho young warrior!
Not to mention the dietician on site for those who need extra weight control and/or a little extra fiber in their diet!
What to do for fun
Findley Hall is where local and national bands come to play their hard rocking music. Rock band Nirvana once played in this dramatic arena.

Sutherland Field is where you locate active students playing outdoor intramural sports, pick up frisbee, and touch football. Sutherland field also hosts outdoor movies for the buff in a lawn chair. Do not miss the July 4th's fireworks display! That is the most toxic event for the scientist inside, who has no fear of smoke and flamesâ?¦ alright so niceâ?¦ Blowe!!! Sutherland field is full of energy and ka boom!

Springfield Hall is another place you will find the active student enjoying dance class and/or a play and/or a symphony. This is where the theatre is located and the studios stretch and pull at the hamstrings and gluteous maximus. Ahhhâ?¦ Feel and watch as the strength and beauty shines throughout this theatre. Just head on up to the second floor in southwing.

Remember when all stretching and watching through go to the first floor to engage in our most elegant part of this dramatic experience. Sit downâ?¦ speak of love and laughter through a cup of coffee at the Campus eXchange. Talk of the beauty and art of human anatomy and how good humans look in theatre and how good we feel when we work out. Speak of the elegance and grace in every flowing movement and motion of dance and energy production. Make joy of our masterpieces and bask in their glory of refined skill. This is where amazing works are defined, you seeâ?¦ Coffee or tea?

Bang for the buck
Drury offers online courses at $269.00 per unit, compared to Harvard $1000.00 per unit, Pennsylvania State University $574.00 per unit and, Cornell University at $764.00 per unit. This is by far a most affordable online campus offered at this rank, prestige, and honor. Not to mention our ability to create divinity privately in our homes, and in peaceful serenity.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Only a decade after Civil War ended did, Drury's founders build this Congregationalist compound into a college, what is now considered Drury University. These war heroes chose Springfield as a divine are to grow both spiritually and mentally after this traumatic event. The collegeâ??s mission began with Nathan Morrison, first President to Drury's, whose main goal was minister to the healing of the horrid wounds made by civil war. (Church Affiliations, 2012.)

Drury has maintained this fellowship on campus with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Fellowship members and organizational leader meet for bible study the Potter House. Originally the DOC fellowship was held in the Drury School of Religion. This fellowship has remained a major influence and tradition of Druryâ??s heritage. (Church Traditions, 2012.)

According to Drury, The DOC tradition emphasizes the integration of the theoretical and the practical. (Church Traditions, para, 4. 2012) Hence, influence by the Scottish School of Common Sense played an express role when they demonstrated how cold pragmatic leadership is a strict diplomatic implementation of both moral and religious experience. They were clear about the importance of human knowledge and discipline (Church Traditions, 2012.)

Site:
1. Drury University. 2012. Church Affiliations. Retrieved: 12/25/2012. https://www.drury.edu/multinl/story.cfm?ID=3013&NLID=39
2. Drury University. 2012. Church Traditions. Retrieved: 12/25/2012. https://www.drury.edu/multinl/story.cfm?ID=3014&NLID=39
Great for these types of students
Drury University offers a place for living on campus called Honors House. Honors House is a fantastic living condition for Honor's program students who have demonstrated, through their academic success, abilities unlike other achievers. Honors students at Drury University possessing these unique qualities and characteristics who apply and award may choose to live in this six bedroom house. Honors house has a parlor, as you knowâ?¦ six bedrooms, a kitchen, and two baths. This is an amazing house dedicated to preserving students who are authentic on the inside and out. God bless these men and woman for their achievements to fields they dominate.
Clubs and Activities
Drury University offers sporting students a chance at a number of regionally sanctioned activities, such as, Ultimate Frisbee, soccer, tennis and hockey.

Now, individual club sports have a distinct design and categorize each sport not to replicate one another. An example of this is club sport soccer that may require practice in mornings and evenings five days a week, whereas, club sport frisbee may require two nights practice a week only.

Also, Drury offers club sports, international sports, and intramural sports. Thus, active students who love and endure sports must continue to acquire and pool their resources by good decision making habits about sport and game. Keeping in mind that time and academics may also intrude on sporting commitments hence gauging oneself level of intelligence and level of strength is also a desirable trait in choosing a club to join. As clubbing would have hoped Drury also has helpful student leaders and/or student advisors to assist in helping Drury students choose the best possible outcome for their clubbing needs and preferences. We like to see successful students involved with club activities.
Greek Life
Drury University has both local and national fraternities on campus. Greeks host about 30% of Drury's population. These communities are dedicated to giving back to the community. They provide support to one another during school year through stress and strain. These communities are invaluable to campus life and an imperative part of the academic community. Brotherhood and sisterhood unite!!!

Our on campus fraternal order consists of: Kappa Alpha, Lambda Chi Alpha, Sigma Nu, and Sigma Pi. They house anywhere from 23 to 26 men on campus. Drury's fraternities are known for their excellent parties and fund raisers. Do not miss the fraternal quad.
As for the campus's sororities sisterhood they consist of: Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Delta, Pi Beta Phi and Zeta Tau Alpha. These networks of woman do not have a quad on campus, rather they have campus privileges superior to other student bodies. Such as, an entire suite on campus and newly designed. They have a choice to their own roommates, this way if, they would rather live with a sorority sister then, sorority sisters may opt to live with one another and, are not delegated roommates as strangers.
These sorority suites on campus include, a foyer, a very charming social gathering room for tea and cookies, and a kitchen. They express their membership with flags and banners on the exterior of their suites to show their pride. Lastly, Sorority events are typically held off campus and sustain the campus environment.
The fraternities are located on Fraternity Quad and the sororities are located on Freeman Hall. Visit at your leisure or call ahead and book an appointment.

Campus Safety
As found on the Drury website page safety and security, The Drury Department of Safety & Security is dedicated to maintaining a safe living and learning environment for all students and members of the Drury community. The department maintains 24-hour patrols of campus, investigates on-campus offense reports, and works with local law enforcement and emergency response personnel when necessary to ensure a safe campus. The Safety and Security Department is located in the Findlay Student Center 101, 900 North Benton Ave, Springfield, MO 65802. Students, parents, visitors, and employees are welcome to call at (417) 873-7400 or come by and visit.
Drury is dedicated to crime prevention and reporting refer to: http://www.drury.edu/safetyandsecurity/pdf/CampusCrimeReport.pdf for all relative actions.

Katelyn from Verona, MO

researching this school
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
drury is a very historic looking school with a new age look on education. the food is actually pretty good most of the time. the staff are all very friendly.
Dorm Life
most of the dorms are renovated or were recently built and the ra's are great.
Food and Dining
the cafeteria has many options and pretty good food for being a college campus. the cx (campus exchange) has awesome smoothies.
What to do for fun
the pool, the library, the game center, the computer lab, the cx. plus all the clubs and
Clubs and Activities
there's a club for just about every person.
Campus Safety
i haven't ever had problems....