The president of Drury University said a partnership announced this week to bring classes to Houston will be beneficial for the community and the region.
Dr. Tim Cloyd joined staff from Drury University and Cox College to announce the institutions will occupy a portion of a building owned by Houston Development Co. on Spruce Street. Occupancy will occur by June 1, and construction materials were delivered during the ceremony. Little work is required: Two walls will be constructed in the building. 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.
“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 would 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,” he said.
Cox College will offer nursing education, it was announced. A large delegation from Texas County Memorial Hospital attended the event.
Cloyd said Drury signed a five-year lease with Houston Development Co. Part of the organization’s plan also 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 for Houston students who aren’t on a college education career path.
Don Romines, a Houston Development Company 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.”
Houston Development Co. board member Don Romines, left, leads a tour during an event last Thursday inside the building on Spruce Street in Houston where Drury University will soon set up a satellite campus. From left: Romines, Brad Evans, Houston economic development director; Shawn Brown, Evans Funeral Home; Tanya Pacheco, Rocket Digital; Brad Eidson, City of Houston attorney; Richard Peterson, Durham Co. Houston plant manager; Bennie Cook, staff member for U.S. Rep. Jason Smith; and James Huff, Houston’s Landmark Bank.