Drury president Sellars resigns

Sellars came to Drury in May 2005 from Syracuse University, where he served as senior vice president for institutional advancement. He replaced President John E. Moore Jr., who retired.

“I make this move for personal reasons,” Sellars said in a news release. “It will give me the opportunity to pursue other career opportunities.”

Sellars could not be reached for comment.

Todd Parnell, Drury alumnus and veteran Springfield businessman, has been named to fill the position starting June 1 on an interim basis. Parnell in March was named executive director of Drury’s Edward Jones Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, also effective June 1.

Parnell has been a Drury Breech School of Business advisory board member since 2003 and was a founding investor in Springfield-based The Bank, where he served as president and CEO. In 2004, The Bank merged with Signature Bank to form The Signature Bank, where Parnell served as president and chief operating officer until 2005.

A presidential search committee led by Drury trustee Rick Lester, of Colorado Springs, Colo., will be named, and work to find a new president promptly, according to the release. The committee will comprise faculty, students, staff, administrators, alumni and board members.