SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (June 17, 2015) April Anderson, Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Newburg High School, Newburg; and Briana Davis, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Criminology, La Monte R-IV High School, La Monte, earned degrees from Drury University during its Spring Commencement on May 16, 2015.

Drury conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters to author and motivational speaker Will Keim, who delivered the keynote address.

Keim is the author of Keys to Success in College and Life and has spoken to more than 2 million students on 1,000 college campuses in all 50 states. He has been an integral part of Drury’s first-year student orientation program for more than a decade, providing inspiration and encouragement to incoming freshmen as they embark on their college journey. Keim commended the graduates on joining the ranks of those with a college degree, and reminded them that only about 7 percent of the world’s population has earned such an honor.

He also urged graduates to do five things: think analytically, feel empathy for others, have hope for the future, act to help others in need and to love themselves. The last request is not about narcissism, he said, but rather about self-confidence and combating negativity.

“All you need to do is leave Drury University with your degree in one hand and your self-esteem in the other – and look out, world,” he said.

Drury is an independent University, church related, grounded in the liberal arts tradition and committed to personalized education in a community of scholars who value the arts of teaching and learning. Drury seeks to cultivate spiritual sensibilities and imaginative faculties as well as ethical insight and critical thought; to foster the integration of theoretical and practical knowledge; and to liberate persons to participate responsibly in and contribute to a global community. For more information, visit www.drury.edu/strategicplan.