In 1986, Drury’s Board of Trustees decides that instead of adding onto Walker Library, it will construct a new library building. The Development Office approaches the F. W. Olin Foundation for a grant to build a new library. Drury’s grant applications are denied in 1986, 1987, and 1988, but the Olin Foundation encourages the college to apply again. In 1989, the Drury Olin Foundation names Drury College as a finalist for the grant, but ultimately does not win the grant to build a library. Undeterred, Drury makes their final application and is granted a $6.175 million dollar grant to build a new library.
(Architectural Drawing of Olin Library)