Alumni will receive merit recognition

Five Southeast Missouri State University alumni will receive Young Alumni Merit Awards from the alumni association, according to a news release sent Wednesday. The award is given to alumni younger than 37 years old who have brought distinction to Southeast through professional growth, service and individual character. The colleges and recipients are:n College of Health and Human Services: Eugene Amano of San Diego. Amano graduated in 2006 with bachelor's degrees in general studies and criminal justice. He plays professional football for the Tennessee Titans.

* College of Science, Technology and Agriculture: Dr. Kelly Bender of Carbondale, Ill. Bender graduated in 1999 with honors with a bachelor of science degree with an emphasis in cell and molecular biology. She is faculty member of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Department of Microbiology.

* College of Education: Shana Kight of Marble Hill, Mo. Kight graduated in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in middle-school education and finished her master's degree in elementary administration and supervision in 2004. Kight is principal of Advance High School.

* College of Liberal Arts: Dr. Emily Machen of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Machen graduated in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in history and is an assistant professor of history at the University of Northern Iowa.

* Harrison College of Business: Mogens Madsen of Stockholm, Sweden. Madsen graduated in 2001 with a master's degree in business administration and is the head of business intelligence for the Electrolux Compass program in Stockholm.

Pertinent address: One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, Mo.