Welcome back to Southeast students

This weekend Cape Girardeau will welcome Southeast Missouri State University students to campus.

The next few days are busy for the university, students and their parents. There's move-in day, shopping and other events that mark the beginning of a new academic year.

For those of us who call this area home, it's an exciting time. The university is a vibrant place with talented students learning and developing as professionals. Before too long there will be football games and other athletic competitions, music and theatrical performances and plenty of special talks and events. We encourage students to enjoy these and take advantage of the learning opportunity. Many also are open to the community, and we know many will enjoy these opportunities. Keep reading the Southeast Missourian for the latest university news.

One of the big events of the weekend is the Welcome Back Picnic. The annual gathering is from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Show Me Center. Student organizations, community groups and businesses will have booths set up. There's food for the students. It's a nice kick-off for the university. If you are an incoming student, we hope you consider attending.

To the parents helping first-year students move in, we're pleased to welcome you to Cape Girardeau.

We hope each student has a great year at Southeast.