12TH IN FAMILY GETS SEMO DIPLOMA

When Susan Essner accepts her diploma during commencement exercises this afternoon she will be the 12th daughter or son of Ina and John A. Essner to graduate from Southeast Missouri State University.

The Cape Girardeau family has been congratulating graduates since 1975. University officials say such a feat is a rarity.

The parents never preached education to their children, but Ina says, "It was assumed they would go to college."

After today, seven of the 12 Essner children will have graduated with honors. Jane and Tom graduated magna cum laude, while Alan, Steve, James and Keith graduated cum laude. Susan will join the latter group today.

The graduation march:

-- John L. Essner, the eldest, graduated in 1975 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. He is part owner of Southeast Missouri Builders Supply.

-- Sister Mary Essner graduated in 1979 with a B.S. in secondary education. A member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, she does pastoral care for the elderly in Burlington, Iowa.

-- James Essner also graduated in 1979, with a bachelor of arts degree in accounting. He is an accountant for Mid-America Distributing in Cape Girardeau.

-- Tom Essner graduated in 1980 with a B.S in computer science. He works for CPU Inc. in Cape Girardeau.

-- Alan Essner graduated in 1982 with a B.S. in business administration. He is assistant funeral director at Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

-- Steve Essner graduated in 1982 as well with a B.A. in English. He also earned a master's degree in psychological counseling from the university, and is a community support worker with the Community Counseling Center in Cape Girardeau.

-- Jane (Essner) Wilson graduated in 1984 with a B.S. in elementary education. She is a first grade teacher at St. Mary Cathedral School in Cape Girardeau.

-- Chris Essner graduated in 1987 with a B.S. in computer science. He is a customer support representative for Medical Computer Solutions in Cape Girardeau.

-- Roger Essner graduated in 1988 with a B.S. in business administration. He is a bookkeeper for Pet City Distributors in Cape Girardeau.

-- Greg Essner graduated in 1991 with a B.S. in business administration. His job is operations manager for Mr. Bulky Treats and Gifts in Cape Girardeau.

-- Keith Essner is a 1992 graduate with a B.S. in business administration. He works for the Chaffee Housing Authority.

-- Susan Essner will graduate today with a B.S. degree in social work. She is job-hunting.

Ina herself was the valedictorian at St. Mary's High School, the precursor to Notre Dame High School. She says college didn't interest her at the time. Her husband attended business college and now is the retired founder of Southeast Missouri Builders Supply.

She says all her children worked part-time through their college years.

"We helped them out if they needed it," she said. "They stayed at home so they didn't have any room and board to pay."

Now that her children all have graduated, the idea of going to college herself still doesn't interest Ina.

"I'm too tired," she said.