What's Your Favorite...
On the prowl with top Panther Todd Parnell, president of Drury University.
Drury President Todd Parnell’s career arc was taking a fairly standard path. The Branson native spent 35 years in banking, working for international investment banks, a local startup and everywhere in between. Then he retired, and that should have been that.
Yet here he sits as the President of Drury University. “I was retired for two years,” says Parnell. “I had gone back to school to pursue a master’s in history, which had been my first love. I was doing a lot of stuff that I enjoyed. It was the last thing in the world I expected to be asked to do.”
After a run as interim president, he knew he simply didn’t want to stop being president. “There’s just an awful lot of emotion on this campus,” Parnell says. “It was nice to see that emotion coming forth in a really positive way. I felt part of it.”
Spending time with Parnell reveals that maybe education is just part of his DNA. In his comfortably busy office, there are all kinds of things that afford Parnell a chance to teach. There’s the picture of the grandmother being presented a diploma from Parnell in a hospital bed. There are the photos of his world travels, and there’s the paper explaining Drury’s rich history.
That paper is actually one that he’s writing. He’s still finishing up that master’s in history. You don’t often think about a college president taking classes, but Parnell isn’t restricted by what he’s supposed to do. He manages to fit comfortably in that place between teacher and student, between traditionalist and adventurer. Parnell sums it up well when speaking of his travels: “I really enjoy going to unusual places. If you tell me there’s a place in Kenya that’s off the beaten path, I’d like to go there. I like to get away from the traditional visit.”
What's Your Favorite...
Odd banking term?
“Disintermediation. Don’t ask me what it means. I once knew, but I can’t remember.”
Similarity between banking and a college campus?
“The similarity I can draw is that in the start-up bank I was in, the people were very passionate about what they were doing. I believe the same thing to be true of a small college campus. I love passion.”
Thing to hum?
“I can’t carry a tune, so irrational melody.”
Artificial ingredient?
“None that I’m aware of.”
College mascot?
“The panther, obviously. Native to our land.”
Part of the Buffalo River?
“The Ponca to Kyle’s Landing.”
Underwater creature?
“Small mouth bass. I admire their fighting spirit greatly.”
Keyboard button?
“Escape.”
Place to get breakfast?
“Home. I eat cereal and fruit every morning. Shredded Wheat and blueberries. Love it.”
Building on campus?
“Stone Chapel. It’s Drury’s icon. It’s been here since 1883. One of the first things we did when I came aboard as interim was to make the decision on whether we were going to invest in geothermal heating and cooling. There’s something poetic about taking the oldest stone building in the region and making it the most energy-efficient.”
Drury historical fact?
“Drury was founded in 1873 to promote reconciliation between the North and the South. Drury has a wonderful, colorful history.”
Thing about the new arena?
“It’s LEED Gold.”
Aretha Franklin song?
“’Dr. Feelgood.’ I saw her perform that when I was in London in 1968. She played that on piano, and you have never seen a reaction like that. They just went nuts.”
Jeff Houghton will interview Todd Parnell on October 2 on The Mystery Hour, Jeff’s monthly talk show presented by The Skinny Improv, 301 Park Central East. Visit theskinnyimprov.com or call 417-831-5233 for info and tickets.
