58 STUDENTS EARN GOVERNOR'S SCHOLARSHIPS; UNIVERSITY GIVES CREDIT TO `BEST OF THE BEST'

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Students receiving Southeast Missouri State University's top academic honor, the Governor's Scholarship, were told Sunday they represent the "best of the best" at the university.

A reception for Governor's Scholars and their parents was held Sunday. At the reception each of the students signed letters of intent to attend Southeast.

In all, 58 students from 10 states will be awarded the scholarships for the coming school year. The scholarship provides a "full-ride" to attend the university, including tuition, room-and-board and a stipend. It is awarded based on academic performance.

Kala Stroup, president at Southeast, said, "We are counting on you to be the best of the best, and we think you are a good match with this university."

"Your high-school achievements show to us you are exactly what we want," she said.

"As I was reading your forms and I read all your forms I learned that some of you come from large schools and some from small schools. But the pattern is all the same: You are members of National Honor Society, the student council; you are thespians, club officers and class leaders; more than half of you earned varsity letters; you have proven yourselves in academics, arts and athletics.

"This is the largest and best class of Governor's Scholars," she said.

The group's average ACT score is over 30 and all the students are in the upper 5 percent of their graduating classes. Many are valedictorians and salutatorians.

Martin Jones, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, told the students, "You will set the standard in classes, studios and labs."

He said the students will be "colleague intellectuals" with the faculty.

Les Cochran, provost, said, "The quality you bring symbolizes the excellence we all strive for."

Six years ago the Governor's Scholarship Program involved 25 recipients whose average ACT score was almost 27. At that time, he said, more academic "full-ride" scholarships were offered than "full-ride" scholarships for athletes.

Cochran said with the university moving to Division I athletics in the National Collegiate Athletic Association next year, more athletic scholarships will be given.

"But with our 58 Governor's Scholars we again have more full-rides in academics than in athletics," Cochran said.

Jackson student Lisa Shirley said: "It's a real honor to be selected for this scholarship, and it was definitely one reason I decided to some to Southeast. I know the university has a good mass-communications department. Although I'm not sure what I want to major in, I'm interested in mass communications.

"I'm really glad the university is as interested in academics as with its athletics," Shirley said. "That's what we're here for to learn."

Shirley is the daughter of John and Brenda Shirley of Jackson.

Fellow Jackson student LaDonna Upchurch, said: "I chose Southeast because it's very close to home. I've been on campus over the years in high school and loved being here. I'm used to Southeast."

Upchurch, who plans to major in elementary education, said, "Receiving the scholarship really excites me. Four years ago when I started high school, I didn't plan to become a Governor's Scholar. I'm really ecstatic."

Upchurch is the daughter of Edgar and Linda Upchurch of Jackson.

Notre Dame senior Danna Westrich said she too was pleased to attend school close to home. "I'll also be able to concentrate more on school since I won't have to be working as much," she said.

Westrich plans to major in secondary education to teach either social studies or English.

Westrich is the daughter of Ken and Vickie Westrich of Kelso.

Deborah Jansen, also a senior at Notre Dame, said: "Some of my brothers and sisters have gone to school here, so I knew this was a good place. I haven't decided what I'm going into yet, but I knew Southeast had a good general studies program.

"I was really surprised to learn the university has more academic full-rides than athletic," Jansen said. "I guess that says something about the program here."

Jansen is the daughter of Martin and Mary Jane Jansen of Kelso.

Other area students who have been named Governor's Scholars for the 1991-92 school are:

Tara Robertson, Cape Central High School, daughter of Donna Reynolds of Cape.

Carol Thiele, Leopold R-3 High School, daughter of Glen and Ethel Thiele of Leopold.

Andrea Burnett, Anna-Jonesboro High School, daughter of Donald and Carol Burnett of Anna, Ill.

Kent Householder, Thomas W. Kelly High School, son of J.C. and Jane Evans, Sikeston.

Daniel Record, Thomas W. Kelly High School, son of Roger and Constance Record of Benton.

Melynda Landewee, Oran High School, daughter of Jerome and Carolyn Landewee of Oran.

Todd Mayberry, Advance High School, son of Bruce and Linda Slinkard of Advance.