Alumni, faculty recognized at Homecoming dinner

Cape Girardeau will be abuzz this weekend when Southeast Missouri State University celebrates its annual Homecoming.

The festivities, which actually began early in the week, continue through the weekend with special recognitions, a parade, football and other activities.

On Friday the university will recognize seven of its alums and one faculty member with Merit Awards at the Copper Dome Dinner. The dinner is at 6:30 p.m. in the Show Me Center.

Award winners include:

* Dr. Gina Bufe, class of 1987, of Chesterfield, Missouri. Bufe is an advanced practice registered nurse at St. Louis Mercy Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic in St. Louis.

* Nanci Burchell, class of 1980, of Kansas City, Missouri. Burchell is a radiation safety officer for Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

* Thomas Hendrick, class of 1968, of Plano, Texas. Hendrick is the chief investment officer for FelCor Lodging and president of TCH Partners Inc.

* Dr. Tarrell Portman, class of 1981 and 1988, of Winona, Minnesota. Portman is the dean of the College of Education at Winona State University.

* Michael A. Price, class of 1968, of Leawood, Kansas. Price is former assistant federal prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice and now serves as an attorney, mediator and owner of Price Dispute Resolutions Services.

* Gary Smith, class of 1967, of St. Louis. Smith is president of Smith & Associates LLC.

* Michael Sullivan, class of 1979, of House Springs, Missouri. Sullivan is an assistant professor and chair of the Theatre Department at Fontbonne University in St. Louis.

* Dr. John Kraemer will receive the Faculty Merit Award. Kraemer is a professor and director of environmental science and chief executive officer for the Institute for Environmental Health Assessment and Patient Centered Outcomes.

Congratulations to all of the award recipients, and we look forward to welcoming all the alumni and friends of the university back to campus this weekend.