Throughout the past year the Drury community has seen the construction for the new C.H. “Chub” O’Reilly Enterprise Center and Breech School of Business Administration and Judy Thompson Executive Conference Center. Now with a one million dollar donation from two alumni another building on campus, Clara Thompson Hall is set to be renovated beginning in May of this 2022 academic year.

Dr. Allin Sorenson, a Professor of Music, the Associate Provost, and Dean of the School of Communication, Fine and Performing Arts in a recent interview provided lots of information on the new project set to take place in a few months. Dr. Sorenson shared the details of what all the renovation will entail. “Renovation of Clara Thompson Hall, including the foyer, auditorium, stage, lighting, technology, sound system and dressing room. Clara Thompson was built in 1926 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The space houses Drury’s Music Department and is used as a classroom and performance space for concerts, recitals and guest speakers.”

To honor the charitable donors responsible for the renovations the auditorium in Clara Thompson Hall will be renamed the James and Patricia Spangler Auditorium. James and Patricia Spangler graduated from Drury University in the year 1961, and have remained involved with the university ever since. The Spangler’s are passionate and connected to the arts, the reasoning behind their generous donation. Patricia Spangler is a director of the Flint Institute of the Arts in Michigan. James is a trustee for the same institution. In a quote from a press release announcing the donation and plans to the University Mr Spangler stated, “We look forward to the result of our gift and watching it impact Drury students, faculty, and the Springfield community.”

Marie Muhvic, Executive Vice President of Advancement has been heavily involved with the Spangler’s generous donation. She works to support the University through securing philanthropic and charitable donations from alumni, corporations, organizations, foundations, etc. When asked about her feelings on the million dollar donation, Muhvic responded, “I think it is truly inspiring and will have a far reaching impact. We have over 400 students who participate in the music program and they deserve a first-rate facility. This will help with retention and recruitment of students and provide a better student life experience. It also will help renew the face of Drury to the community, who interacts with the building through lectures, concerts, events, and programs. The music faculty have built such an exceptional program, and I am so pleased that they and the students will now have a worthy space. The Spangler’s commitment to music and their Alma Mater and Springfield community at large is humbling and thrilling for the storied program. Facilities play a critical part in enhancing education and the generosity of two alumni allows us to renew a historical gem on our campus.”

As Muhvic stated there are four-hundred music students on Drury’s campus and a multitude of them are ecstatic about this announcement. Hannah Gross, a music therapy major working at the Call center on Drury’s campus stated, “As a fourth-year music therapy major, I am beyond thrilled to see such a substantial gift being dedicated to Clara Thompson as this is where I have spent a significant amount of my college life. This donation will not only improve the educational quality of current students and students to come, but it also shows just how important the music community is here at Drury. This same community has allowed me to have the best Drury experience possible and with the generosity of James and Patricia Spangler, incoming students will surely see the great impact that we call the Drury difference. I cannot wait to come back to visit Drury as an Alumni and see all of the great changes that will be made to Clara Thompson!”

Another music therapy student graduating in 2024, sophomore Bailey Macke, is ecstatic as well. Macke told The Mirror, “When I heard about the donation to Clara Thompson, I was so relieved that one of my favorite buildings on campus was finally getting the love and care it needs. The music department here is truly a family, and I am so glad our building is going to be updated for future generations of Drury musicians!”

With the generous donation of the Spangler’s, the excitement of Dr. Allin Sorenson, Marie Muhvic, Hannah Gross, Bailey Macke, and countless others on Drury’s campus radiate throughout. Renovations on Clara Thompson will begin as soon as this May of this year for both students and staff to enjoy throughout next academic year.