Southeast Missouri State University

After graduating this spring with a degree in agribusiness: industry, Wyatt Hendley is preparing to attend law school at the University of Mississippi with plans to specialize in agricultural law and return to southeast Missouri to serve local farmers. A seventh-generation farmer from Bloomfield, Missouri, Hendley used his time at SEMO to gain hands-on experience in agriculture and policy through organizations such as Collegiate Farm Bureau, where he represented Missouri agriculture in Washington, D.C., earned the title of state champion in the Discussion Meet competition, and competed nationally.

After graduating this spring with degrees in agribusiness: animal science and agricultural communications, Lainey Canning has turned her internship experience into a full-time career as a marketing and communications coordinator with Wehmeyer Seed Company in Mascoutah, Illinois. Raised on her family's farm in southern Illinois, Canning combined her agricultural background with hands-on learning opportunities at SEMO, including internships, student employment, and leadership roles across campus.

Southeast Missouri State University graduate Grant Breece is turning years of campus leadership and hands-on learning into a future career in special education and applied behavior analysis. A Gideon, Missouri, native and second-generation SEMO student, Breece graduated with a degree in exceptional child: mild/moderate cross categorical and a certificate in autism studies while serving in numerous leadership roles across campus, including Sigma Nu chapter president and Student Government Association vice president. Recognized for his service and leadership, Breece also earned several campus honors and helped lead Sigma Nu to the Interfraternity Council Chapter of the Year Award.

Twenty-one Southeast Missouri State University performing arts seniors recently traveled to New York City for an immersive professional showcase experience designed to prepare them for careers in the entertainment industry. The group, made up of BFA acting and musical theatre students, participated in masterclasses, workshops and networking opportunities with casting directors, agents, music directors and Broadway professionals while training in some of the city's top rehearsal studios. Students also performed live and digital showcases for industry professionals, creating opportunities for auditions, representation and career connections as they transition from college to the professional stage.

Southeast Missouri State University has announced its Dean's List for undergraduate academic achievement during the spring 2026 semester. Students named to the Dean's List earned at least a 3.75 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and completed at least 12 hours of standard graded credit. They received no grade below a B and received no failing grades in enrolled, credit/no credit or pass/fail courses.

Southeast Missouri State University graduate James Foote, originally from Arkansas and currently teaching at the university level in China, will earn a Master of Arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) this spring. Through SEMO's flexible online program, Foote balanced full-time teaching while strengthening his ability to support students' English language development. He said the program deepened his engagement with TESOL, helped him grow professionally and personally, and prepared him to pursue future opportunities in ESOL curriculum design and higher education.

Isaac Thorn, of O'Fallon, Missouri, will graduate this spring from Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in instrumental music education and begin his career as assistant band director at Wentzville Middle School and Holt High School. During his time at SEMO, Thorn gained hands-on leadership and teaching experience through conducting the Show Band, serving as a student assistant for the SEMO Marching Band and performing at major events, including the 2023 Bands of America exhibition at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Southeast Missouri State University has announced its President's List for undergraduate academic achievement during the spring 2026 semester. Students named to the President's List earned a 4.0 grade point average and completed at least 12 hours of standard graded credit.

Southeast Missouri State University aviation students recently attended the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida, one of the nation's premier aviation events, where they gained valuable career development and networking opportunities with industry leaders, recruiters and aviation professionals. Students from Alpha Eta Rho and Women in Aviation explored emerging technologies, attended workshops on maintenance, safety, and leadership and connected with potential employers through career fair events.

Southeast Missouri State University recognized outstanding student leaders, organizations, advisors and mentors during its annual Student Life and Leadership Awards celebration, honoring those who made meaningful contributions to campus life through leadership, service, involvement and experiential learning. Awards included the President's Spirit of Southeast, First Year Student, Civic and Global Engagement, Student Life Achievement, University Contributor, Outstanding Student Organization, Outstanding Student Organization Advisor and Experiential Learning across each academic college. The annual recognition highlights how student leadership, service and hands-on learning prepare graduates to make an impact both on campus and beyond.

Southeast Missouri State University's Redhawk Speech and Debate Team earned national recognition at the National Speech Championship, where students competed against top collegiate speakers from across the country and two advanced to the quarterfinals. Through weekly practices and collaboration, the team continues to build strong communication, reasoning and leadership skills. Coach Noah Smentkowski said tournaments give students the chance to grow, share meaningful topics and build lasting connections, reflecting SEMO's commitment to experience-driven learning and student success.

Southeast Missouri State University recognized outstanding faculty, staff and student mentors during its 2026 Excellence in Advising, Student Success, and Teaching Celebration on April 21. The event honored individuals and departments for excellence in academic advising, teaching, mentorship, research support and student success initiatives, highlighting SEMO's commitment to student learning and career readiness through strong support systems both inside and outside the classroom.

Students in Southeast Missouri State University's Department of Mass Media are garnering recognition for their bold storytelling and real-world media experience, earning top honors at the 2026 Missouri Broadcast Educators Association (MBEA) College Media Competition and 23 honors at the Missouri College Media Association (MCMA) conference.

Southeast Missouri State University's Annual Student Research Conference, held April 14-15 in the University Center Ballroom, brought together undergraduate and graduate students from all colleges to showcase their research through presentations and posters. The event highlighted experience-driven learning, with students like Taylor Myers exploring agricultural education retention and graduate researchers examining hearing screenings for individuals with aphasia. Beyond presenting, participants gained professional skills by engaging with judges and peers. The conference also featured faculty-led keynote and workshops, while recognizing top student presentations across multiple categories.

Southeast Missouri State University's Wind Ensemble recently performed at WindFest, an invitation-only concert held at Cincinnati Music Hall, where select ensembles showcase their talents on a national stage. The experience challenged students while providing valuable performance exposure and professional growth. The trip helped students grow in confidence, musicianship and perspective, reinforcing SEMO's commitment to hands-on learning and meaningful performance opportunities that prepare students for careers in music and education.

SEMO English students are gaining confidence and refining their craft through public readings at Catapult, where they present original poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction in a supportive, real-world setting. These events provide valuable opportunities for students to develop their unique voices, practice public speaking and receive feedback from both peers and the broader community. By stepping outside of the classroom and into a live audience environment, students build creative and professional skills while fostering meaningful connections with fellow writers.

Southeast Missouri State University's fully online Master of Science in agribusiness program helps working professionals advance their careers while gaining deeper knowledge of the business side of agriculture. Designed for current and emerging industry leaders, the program combines flexible online coursework with practical instruction in areas such as agribusiness marketing, policy, risk management and operations. Students like Patrick Clark and 2025 graduate Ian Graves say the program strengthened their skills in business strategy and decision-making, helping them grow professionally and confidently navigate leadership roles in the agriculture industry.

A Southeast Missouri State University student, Amber Fenton, has been named the first SEMO recipient and one of six nationwide to earn the Lewerglobal: Your Journey Begins Scholarship, receiving $2,500 to support her summer study abroad experience in Seoul. Sponsored by Lewermark, the competitive award will allow Fenton, an interior design major, to attend the Hansung International Summer School. Fenton has demonstrated strong leadership and global engagement, including volunteering her design skills to enhance SEMO's study abroad office space.

Four students from Southeast Missouri State University were selected to represent the University at the Missouri Governor's Student Leadership Forum, held Feb. 12-14 in Jefferson City, where they engaged with public officials, policy experts and peers from across Missouri. Students participated in leadership, civic engagement and public service programming while attending the forum. The experience highlights SEMO's commitment to developing student leaders, with participants gaining practical insight, networking opportunities and a deeper understanding of how state decisions affect communities across Missouri.

Ethan Griggs' first-year at Southeast Missouri State University is not just the start of his college experience, it is a meaningful return to the place where his story first began. Born while his parents were students and living on campus, Ethan spent his first months in SEMO's Towers residence halls, surrounded by the same community he now calls home again. Nearly two decades later, he walks the same sidewalks, inspired by stories from his parents and building his own future through studies in agriculture: pre-veterinary and animal science. Supported by faculty, friendships and opportunities, Ethan says SEMO is helping him pursue his goals while continuing a family legacy that has come full circle.

Southeast Missouri State University's Department of Agriculture prepares students for life after graduation through a required internship program that provides hands-on, real-world experience across the agriculture industry. Students gain practical skills in areas such as agricultural research, leadership and turfgrass management, as demonstrated by internships completed at MOARK Agricultural Research, Missouri FFA's Camp Rising Sun and Biltmore Forest Country Club. Guided by faculty mentors, these experiences help students apply classroom knowledge, develop professional skills and, in some cases, secure full-time employment before graduation, reinforcing SEMO's commitment to preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Southeast Missouri State University honored all students who completed their degrees during the fall commencement ceremonies held Saturday, December 13.

Southeast Missouri State University has announced its President's List for undergraduate academic achievement during the fall 2025 semester. Students named to the President's List earned a 4.0 grade point average and completed at least 12 hours of standard graded credit.

Southeast Missouri State University has announced its Dean's List for undergraduate academic achievement during the fall 2025 semester. Students named to the Dean's List earned at least a 3.75 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and completed at least 12 hours of standard graded credit. They received no grade below a B and received no failing grades in enrolled, credit/no credit or pass/fail courses.

Southeast Missouri State University's HackLabs teams delivered one of their strongest performances to date at the AI Vibe-Coding Hackathon in November, earning two second-place finishes and one third-place finish while competing against universities across the region. In a fast-paced, 22-hour competition that simulated real-world software and incident-response challenges, SEMO students built seven software solutions, demonstrating technical skill, teamwork and industry-relevant problem-solving. The podium finishes further validate SEMO's growing computer science and technology ecosystem, showcasing its students as innovative, competitive and workforce-ready while strengthening the program's regional reputation and industry connections.

Southeast Missouri State University agriculture students Colton White, Emjae Mosier and Gant Gibson spent their summer gaining hands-on experience with Saluna, a St. Louis agricultural technology startup working to advance hemp as a sustainable, high-value crop. Through SEMO's new partnership with Saluna, the students supported field trials, plant-care operations and comprehensive data collection, developing practical skills in agronomy, teamwork and problem-solving. Their work reflects SEMO's commitment to preparing students not just to enter the future of agriculture, but to lead it.

Southeast Missouri State University's student-run newspaper, the Arrow, earned multiple top honors at the 2025 College Media Association Pinnacle Awards, highlighting the program's excellence in multimedia storytelling, design and production. Students received first, second and third-place awards, as well as several honorable mentions, for projects ranging from newspaper spreads and political series to audio newscasts, editorial illustrations, video programming and sports features. The awards, announced at the CMA Fall Student Media Convention in Washington, D.C., reflect the program's strength across journalism, TV and film, advertising and media management.

Southeast Missouri State University is proud to celebrate with our newest students on beginning their first year at SEMO.

Ten Southeast Missouri State University students have been named finalists for the 2025 Man and Woman of the Year awards, which recognize outstanding student leaders who exemplify academic excellence, campus involvement and community service. Sponsored by various campus organizations, the finalists include Lainey Canning, Sarah Chapman, Sophie Martin, Maddie Robinson, and Sophia Ruffatto for Woman of the Year, and Nathan Anderson, Grant Breece, Romell Johnson, Logan Pruitt and Drew Roth for Man of the Year. The winners will be announced during SEMO's Homecoming game on Saturday, October 18.

Nathan Anderson of Festus, Missouri, and Sophie Martin of Perryville, Missouri, were named Southeast Missouri State University's 2025 Man and Woman of the Year during halftime of the Homecoming football game on October 18. The award recognizes outstanding student leaders who excel academically, contribute to campus life, and demonstrate a strong commitment to community service. Anderson is a double major in music and musical theatre sponsored by the University's Marching Band. Martin is a psychology major sponsored by Student Government Association.