SEMO Fall Commencement 2018

Courtney Brooks waves to family after earning her degree in nursing at the closing of Southeast Missouri State University's Fall Commencement ceremonies at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Jay Knudtson delivers the commencement address during Southeast Missouri State University's graduation ceremony at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Knudtson, a former Cape Girardeau Mayor and member of the Southeast board of regents, earned his undergraduate diploma during the ceremony. He said the decision to go back and complete the degree he began at a different university decades ago has proved to be a transformative experience. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Decorated caps are seen during the commencement address at Southeast Missouri State University's graduation ceremony at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

A graduation candidate, being recognized for maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, smiles at classmates during Southeast Missouri State University's graduation ceremony at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

A student's decorated cap is seen before Southeast Missouri State University's graduation ceremony at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Krissa Gearing returns to her seat after receiving her diploma during Southeast Missouri State University's graduation ceremony at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Krissa Gearing's brothers cheer as she receives her diploma during Southeast Missouri State University's graduation ceremony at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Graduation candidates wait for the ceremony to start before Southeast Missouri State University's commencement at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Marissa New waits for Southeast Missouri State University's graduation ceremony to begin with her medical alert response dog, Creed, an Anatolian shepherd, at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Zora Mulligan, Missouri commissioner of higher education, delivers the morning commencement address during Southeast Missouri State University's graduation ceremony at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Jeff Hansen, left, watches over brothers Tyton and Aroan Hale as Tayven Hale, right, climbs a window after the three boys watched their mother, Sicili, receive her master's degree in secondary education during Southeast Missouri State University's graduation ceremony at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Their father, Ben, would also receive his master's in professional writing hours later during the afternoon ceremony. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Harmony Harris, 11, and Corey Vallinger, 10, wave signs in the shape of their cousin, Bryana McDowell, during Southeast Missouri State University's graduation ceremony at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. "I love her and I want to support everything she does," Harris said. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Bryana McDowell, center with cap, pose for a photo with her family following Southeast Missouri State University's graduation ceremony at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Utana Honnami, left, and Yukiho Arikai pose for a photo following Southeast Missouri State University's graduation ceremony at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Haha Albuainain poses for a photo after earning her master's degree in higher education administration during Southeast Missouri State University's graduation ceremony at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Jay Knudtson reacts to having received his diploma during Southeast Missouri State University's graduation ceremony at the Show Me Center Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)