Drury University is home to a vast student body that is full of intriguing, ambitious, individualistic students who are a delight to know. To showcase these varying personalities, the Mirror has created Panther Profiles, an outlet to highlight those within the campus, to share their memories and experiences at Drury University.

On Saturday, February 12th of 2022, Drury University crowned its Homecoming Royals, John Gray and Lauren Inman. Both of these individuals are ecstatic to have been crowned this year.

Gray and Inman are both extremely involved on campus, Gray is a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity, a member of Drury Singers and has served as an Orientation Leader for freshman orientation in August. Inman is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, has served on Panhellenic council, is a member of PreLaw Club and Drury’s Black United Independent Collegiate (BUIC).

John Gray is a senior majoring in Organizational and Leadership Communication. When asked to reflect on his time at Drury University, Gray stated, “I will miss seeing the friends that have gone through these four years with me. I have met many wonderful people and consider myself very blessed.” Gray also has a special connection with Drury University, “Drury has been a part of my life since I was born. My mother, uncle, and many cousins have attended Drury over the years. I never really looked anywhere else, and the small class sizes appealed to me greatly.”

Lauren Inman, a Political Science and Strategic Communication major, also will greatly miss the home she’s made at Drury University. Stating, “I’m going to miss being a walk away from the family I have made here.” Inman also describes how she knew that this Springfield school was the one for her, “I could tell how tight-knit of a community it was from my very first visit and I wanted to be a part of that.”

Both Inman and Gray, who were crowned at the Homecoming Basketball game on Saturday the 12th, were thrilled and even more thankful to their peers. Inman said, “[I’m] Ecstatic! I was beyond surprised to even be on the court. I am forever thankful for this memory.”

Gray summarized his feelings as well, “I am honored to have even been nominated to court and even more honored to have won.”

These two individuals are both passionate about Drury University and the friends and family they’ve made here. Congratulations to the Homecoming royalty of the 2021-2022 academic year!

Article by Gabriella Wuller