Southeast Missouri State University

Twenty-seven nursing students crossed the stage at Southeast Missouri State University's fall commencement ceremony Dec. 15, marking the successful completion of an academic journey and the beginning of a lifetime career in patient care. Southeast's long tradition of preparing nursing graduates for outstanding placements in the health care industry is exemplified this weekend by six of those nursing graduates - Sarah Brouder of St. Peters, Missouri; Emily Daly of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Kayla Drew of House Springs, Missouri; Kristy Holland of Oran, Missouri; McKinzie Jones of Destin, Florida; and Allie Wallace of Jackson, Missouri, all of whom will receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Thirteen tech-savvy computer science students graduated from Southeast Missouri State University Dec. 15 prepped with the skills for success in the world of computing. They are entering an industry integrated into almost every aspect of life and in critical need of skilled and knowledgeable computer science graduates. Among the graduates answering the industry's call this December include Sarah Aldossari of Al Kharg, Saudi Arabia, who received a Bachelor of Science in computer science; Zach Buchheit of Jackson, Missouri, who received a Bachelor of Science in computer information systems; and Lucas Kossack of Grantsburg, Illinois, and Scott St. John of Wildwood, Missouri, both of whom received a Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity during commencement ceremonies at the Show Me Center Dec. 15.

Hands-on experiential learning can create amazing opportunities for a student's career and future. For Jacey Clemens, her classroom, practicum and internship experiences with Southeast Missouri State University's sport management program allowed her to gain the knowledge and skills to land her first job as director of entertainment with the River City Rascals, which she begins this week. Clemens, of Warrenton, Missouri, graduated from Southeast Dec. 15 with a Bachelor of Science in sport management. A dedicated student, Clemens is looking forward to graduating and launching her career.

Southeast Missouri State University senior Ke-La Harris of St. Louis, Missouri, says the Lift for Life Academy in St. Louis, Missouri, inspired her to pursue a career as a mathematics teacher. Harris, a middle school education major with a mathematics concentration, recently told Southeast's Board of Regents that her passion for numbers was sparked by Lift for Life mathematics teacher Kenan Morrison, the only African American mathematics teacher she's ever had. At Southeast, she's taken that spark, and with encouragement and guidance, has begun shaping her future as an educator.

For Zainab Iqbal, graduating from Southeast Missouri State University with her degree in biology and beginning a career in scientific research is the fulfillment of a life-long pursuit and dream. As a child, Iqbal accompanied her mother who was diagnosed with Diabetes to every doctor's appointment, and she was fascinated by the people in white coats and medical equipment. Starting Dec. 19, she will be one of those white-coat clad professionals as a research lab technician for the Division of Infectious Diseases with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

The following students have been awarded scholarships to attend Southeast Missouri State University beginning in Spring 2019.

Two Southeast Missouri State University horticulture students have been selected to serve on the 2019 Student Advisory Committee of the Western Nursery and Landscape Association (WNLA). Leah Schumacher, a senior from Bridgeton, Missouri, and Kelly Hurley, a sophomore from De Soto, Missouri, will join a group of 20 of the most outstanding agriculture students from institutions and colleges across the Midwest to serve on the 2019 board.

Southeast Missouri State University senior Rebecca Gangemella of Warrensburg, Missouri, is polishing her journalistic skills on the sidelines of Redhawks athletics, hoping her experiences translate to a "win" in the sports broadcasting arena after graduation.

Seven Southeast Missouri State University hospitality management majors recently participated in the HX: Hotel Experience 2018 Convention in New York City attending educational sessions, networking with hotel industry professionals and touring the iconic Knickerbocker Hotel. Three of the students competed in the Smith Travel Research (STR) Market Study Competition and earned honorable mention in the undergraduate category.

Southeast Missouri State University senior Aaron Wendel was recently honored with the Rising Star Award from the St. Louis chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) during its St. Louis ImPRessions Awards ceremony Nov. 15.

The Catapult Creative House Student Studios at Southeast Missouri State University announces its final Artist of the Month exhibition of the year titled "SEMO Storyboard."

Words are powerful, and some words can cut deep. In the fourth annual Skin Deep Project, Southeast Missouri State University students are learning how to take control of the words that define them by proclaiming words of empowerment and redefine who they really are.

Southeast Missouri State University graduate student Seth Sievers of Jackson, Missouri, has been awarded a Student Research Grant by the Central States Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine for his thesis project surrounding a study of Division I American football linebackers.

Southeast Missouri State University senior Heather Leslie of Bartlett, Tennessee, is taking the fall semester off to continue traveling across the nation, working on the Discovery Channel's "Street Outlaws: Memphis" and "Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings."

Southeast Missouri State University's Hoover Center, a facility offering supportive programming during the daytime hours to well and frail senior adults age 60 and older, is a unique space serving the elderly and their families in the Cape Girardeau and Jackson areas. The Center also serves as an educational training facility for Southeast undergraduate students majoring in family studies and communication disorders.

Southeast Missouri State University is pleased and proud to welcome our newest students for the fall 2018 semester.

As the only adult day program in the greater Cape Girardeau area, Southeast Missouri State University's Horizons Enrichment Center serves a need for developmentally disabled adults, their families and students in the southeast Missouri area.

Three Southeast Missouri State University students from the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation won the Student Quiz Bowl at the Central States Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Conference Oct. 18 in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Catapult Creative House Student Studios at Southeast Missouri State University announces its third Artist of the Month exhibition of the season titled "Among the Flowers." The exhibition will feature the work of Southeast artist Madison Ellers of Crystal Lake, Illinois, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Education, art education.

The Catapult Creative House Student Studios' Artist of the Month series continues its 2018-2019 season with "Built Up: An Individual's Examination of Home" featuring the work of Southeast Missouri State University art major Erin Gericke.

Zackary Koeller, a senior from Jackson, Missouri, and Danielle Bergfeld, a senior from Effingham, Illinois, were crowned the 2018 Man and Woman of the Year at halftime of the Southeast Missouri State University Homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 13, on Houck Field.

Southeast Missouri State University sophomore Adam Schween told the University's Board of Regents that the River Campus provides some of the best facilities in the country and has afforded him a fantastic educational experience.

Redhawks senior tight end and scholar athlete Bud Hilburn is taking advantage of all the opportunities - both academic and athletic - Southeast Missouri State University has to offer.

The Catapult Creative House Student Studios' Artist of the Month exhibition series opens the 2018-2019 season with "Flowers: Pointless or Purity," featuring the work of Southeast Missouri State University student artist Darian Norfleet.

Southeast Missouri State University student Myriah Bernard was recently selected to serve as a student delegate at the 42nd World Federation of United Nations Association's (WFUNA) Plenary Assembly and 3rd Global Youth Forum in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Southeast Missouri State University student Marqusha Oliver traveled to New York City this summer to intern in one of the city's finest and most highly respected art galleries.

"An American Hero," a Southeast Missouri State University original production, has been honored with the New York Musical Festival's (NYMF) Best of Festival Production Award. In addition, Adam Schween, a junior musical theatre major from Germantown, Tennessee, received the Award for Outstanding Individual Performance for his portrayal of the lead character, Thomas.

The pesky microorganism associated with causing dental cavities is at the heart of McNair Research being conducted this summer by a Southeast Missouri State University student. Breiona Catching, a senior from St. Louis, Missouri, double majoring in microbiology and medical laboratory science, is participating in McNair Research at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) in the Diversity Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program.

Southeast Missouri State University student Kayla Chapman refers to dolphins as co-workers at her six week recreational therapy internship at Island Dolphin Care in Key Largo, Florida. Chapman, a senior majoring in recreation and parks administration from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, applied for the internship to gain a unique experience in animal assisted therapy.

For some, the lazy days of summer are a welcome respite. And for others, like Southeast Missouri State University students Blake Trickey and Tyler Howard, the past couple of months have been spent facilitating artificial photosynthesis and working with 3D micro-lasers. Trickey and Howard are spending the summer in National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) - one in the United States and the other overseas. The two are making the most of their time in preparation for careers in the sciences after graduation.