Drury University has announced its choice of a new leader.
Jeff Frederick was named as the university’s new president March 13. He will replace John Beuerlein, who took on the role in 2023.
Rita Baron, chair of the university’s board of trustees, said its search committee had a difficult choice to make between three outstanding finalists. However, an emphasis on student-centric values and similar experiences to Drury’s put him over the edge.
“Students are always the No. 1 priority is students, our connection with them, valuing the one-on-one connection between students and teachers,” Baron said. “From his background, he felt the same way. At the end of the day students receive a degree, but what makes Drury unique is that experience.”
Currently provost and executive vice president at Wingate University in North Carolina, Frederick will take on the role as Drury’s 19th president on June 1.
About Jeff Frederick
Frederick earned a doctorate in history from Auburn University, as well as a master’s degree in history and a bachelor’s in marketing from the University of Central Florida.
He has served as the provost for Wingate over the last four years, where he was credited with improving retention, chairing a DEI council, developing several academic programs and leading the university through the COVID-19 pandemic
Before that worked for the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where he worked his way to Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He has been involved in writing peer-reviewed works, and has also spoken on research findings across the country.
Frederick also worked for American Medical Electronics, Medical Resources Inc., Kendall Healthcare Products International and Motorola.
Melinda Frederick, his wife, is a licensed therapist who is director of counseling at Wingate. They have three children.
Drury University began its presidential search in October, and 87 people applied for the post. After the search committee narrowed down the pool to three finalists, the finalists were brought to Springfield for on-campus interviews with students, faculty and other staff members.
The decision between the three finalists was difficult, Baron said.
“I wish we could have hired all three of them,” Baron said. “But (Frederick) is the kind of fit we need at Drury. He was very much liked by everyone.”
Beuerlein was appointed to the post in 2023 on an interim basis to replace Timothy Cloyd, who resigned because of family health reasons.
