Degrees of change

Missouri Public Service commissioner Jeff Davis told Southeast Missouri State University graduates Saturday that they should listen to the advice of their parents.

"Your parents' knowledge is hard earned in the academy of life," the 1994 Southeast graduate told the 728 graduating students at the commencement ceremony at the Show Me Center. A crowd of about 3,800 witnessed the graduation ceremony.

Davis told the graduates that experience will be their next teacher.

"There is no reserved seating," said Davis, who has been picked by governor-elect Matt Blunt to chair the Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities in the state.

Davis told the graduates to take advantage of opportunity. "The future brings hope. It brings optimism," he said. "But it doesn't bring guarantees."

Regent Don Dickerson praised the graduates. "Congratulations, gang, you did it," he said.

One by one, students climbed the steps to the stage to receive their degrees, often to the cheers of appreciative relatives. Parents crowded around at the foot of the steps to snap photographs of their graduating children.

"Nobody fell off the stage. I'm always impressed with that," Michael Parker, president of the school's alumni association, told the graduates.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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