Drury's interim president pledges $1.5M to capital campaign

provided by Drury University

John Beuerlein is making the donation with his wife, Crystal.

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Drury University's interim president has made a significant pledge to the school's capital campaign.

John Beuerlein and his wife, Crystal, have committed $1.5 million to the Fortify the Future initiative, according to a news release. The $50 million capital campaign, announced to the public this summer, raised $31.5 million as of Aug. 31, said Drury spokesperson Jasmine Cooper.

"Drury University is immensely grateful for the generosity of John and Crystal Beuerlein," said Rita Baron, Drury Board of Trustees chair, in the release. "Their legacy will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of future generations, as their selfless contributions pave the way for continued excellence and opportunity at Drury."

The donation is earmarked for the Heritage Building Fund, which is designed to improve the campus experience, and for annual grants over the next five years for Drury students to conduct social change experiments in the community.

Additionally, Beuerlein has declined to take a salary as interim president, with all compensation from his employment going back to Drury, according to the release. Cooper said Beuerlein’s minimum compensation of $35,000 is being used to renovate the Drury president’s house.

Beuerlein became interim president in March after the resignation of seven-year leader Tim Cloyd, according to past reporting. A financial analyst and philanthropist, Beuerlein is a nonvoting life trustee member at Drury after previously serving on the board 1991-2011. He and his wife are both alumni and past donors of the university.