SEMO 2021 Commencement, Day 1

Sarah Yenesel

Friday, May 14, 2021

Southeast Missouri State University began their commencement with one of five ceremonies to recognize the almost 1,400 total spring and summer graduates. To social distance inside the Show Me Center, multiple ceremonies will honor about 225 graduates each. The first ceremony was of graduates part of the College of Education, Health and Human Studies.

Graduates begin to fill their socially distanced seats before commencement starts at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
A graduate with a decorated cap waves to people in the audience before commencement starts at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
A graduate waves to people in the audience before commencement starts at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
A graduate sits in their seat before commencement starts at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)

A graduate sits in their seat before commencement starts at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
Graduates with decorated caps sit in their seats during commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
Southeast president Dr. Carlos Vargas speaks during commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
Speaker and professor in the department of Kinesiology, Nutrition and Recreation Dr. Jeremy Barnes makes a speech during commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
Graduated listen to the speaker during commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)

A graduate receives a paper marking their graduation during commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
A graduate walks across the stage after receiving their degree during commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
A graduate walks across the stage after receiving their degree during commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
A graduate dabs after receiving their degree during commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
A graduate reacts to receiving their degree during commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
A graduate waves to the audience and walks across the stage after receiving their degree during commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
A graduate walks across the stage after receiving their degree during commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
A graduate reacts to receiving their degree during commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
The audience applauds for the graduates during commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
A graduate moves their tassel to the left side of their cap to signify their graduation status during commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
Graduates pose for a group picture outside after commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
Graduate Skyler Bright hugs her grandmother Sharon Bright after commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
Rick McClard, Sarah McClard and Becky McClard take a selfie after commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)
Graduate Amanda Ayres poses for a picture with her second cousin Mila Smith after commencement at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau on Friday, May 14, 2021. (Sarah Yenesel ~ Southeast Missourian)