• Crowd gathers for signing in vacant building on Spruce Street.
• Benefits for community, region shared by leaders involved.
The president of Drury University said a partnership announced to bring classes to Houston will be beneficial for the community and region.
Dr. Tim Cloyd joined staff from Drury University and Cox College last Thursday morning in Houston to announce the institutions will occupy a portion of a building owned by Houston Development Co. on Spruce Street.
“We are very interested in working with you on what your vision is for development –– economic development for this region and this community and this town,” said Cloyd, who was joined by his top lieutenants from the Springfield campus. He said programs will be tailored to meet the needs and vision of the community.
Cloyd said Drury will be the community’s partner in not only helping attract industry and jobs, but talking to current businesses and industries about their needs.
He said Drury would be responsive with educational, certificate and degree programs. He said part of the mission includes encouraging students to stay in the community, and offering tools to allow residents to advance in their careers.
“All of us benefit from education,” Cloyd said.
An announcement was also made that Cox College will offer nursing education.
A large delegation from Texas County Memorial Hospital – which supports the move – attended the event.
Cloyd said Drury signed a five-year lease with Houston Development Co. Occupancy will occur by June 1. Construction materials were delivered during the ceremony. The space includes the northern part of the building, which once housed the Exceptional Child Cooperative, which has since moved to the Houston School District campus. Little work is required; two walls will be constructed in the building.
Part of the organization’s plan includes the eventual launch of a workforce development program that would offer vocational education. Funding is available for such efforts, and officials of South Central Ozarks Council of Governments, who would work on the project, attended the gathering.
Such a program also has the interest of Dr. Allen Moss, Houston superintendent, for students who aren’t on a college education career path.
Don Romines, a Houston Development Co. board member who hosted the ceremony, said the announcement brings opportunities not previously available to the Texas County seat. Mayor Don Tottingham also praised the decision.
“Thank you so much for this partnership, and it will blossom and evolve and grow and we will all benefit,” Cloyd said. “And in a deeper way, it is missional because we want people’s lives to be improved, and we want this community to be improved.”
ONLINE
Listen to the address from Drury University at www.houstonherald.com