Drury to open Houston campus, close another in Cabool

Drury University plans to open a campus in the Missouri city of Houston and close another in nearby Cabool.

Drury officials expect to sign the lease on its Houston campus April 19, with plans to open it June 1. Evening classes would start soon thereafter, and the Cabool campus is slated to close at the end of the spring semester, according to a news release.

“We are grateful for the three decades of support from the Cabool community,” said Jana Neiss, dean of Drury’s College of Continuing Professional Studies, in the release. “Many outstanding successes can be attributed to this partnership. We look forward with great anticipation for the opportunities that await us in Houston.”

The degree programs offered in Cabool will transition to the Houston campus. Courses include dual-degree programs in nursing and health services management, a partnership with Cox College. The Houston campus also will allow students to earn bachelor’s and associate degrees in business administration, emergency management, psychology, and organizational communication and development. Students can complete the degrees through evening and online classes.

“Having Drury University move to Houston gives us an opportunity to have exposure to future nurses,” said Wes Murray, administrator of Houston’s Texas County Hospital, in the release. “We need all the support we can to help keep them here locally.”

Houston City Administrator Tona Bowen said the new campus would have an economic impact on the community.

“It will better our community as a whole,” she said in the release. “When people are educated, it brings more and different jobs to the city.”