FRIENDS OF THE UNIVERSITY HONORED AT ANNUAL BREAKFAST

Hundreds of alumni and friends gathered Saturday for the 1999 Copper Dome Society Breakfast held at the Student Recreation Center on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

Guy and Claudine Pinckley of Allardt, Tenn. and formerly of Malden received the 1999 "Friends of the University" award presented by the Southeast Missouri University Foundation. The award, the highest recognition the foundation gives, was presented to the Pinckleys for their efforts in the development of the Harry L. Crisp Bootheel Education Center at Malden which opened in 1988.

When Claudine Pinckley first heard about the proposal for the center she didn't get too excited.

John Howell had called to invite the Pinckleys to a meeting to discuss the possibility of a college at Malden.

"I told him I thought he had lost his mind," said Claudine Pinckley.

In her acceptance speech Saturday morning, she listed three very important reasons the project was a success:

First, "If it's for a worthwhile cause and if it involves kids, they (the citizens of Malden) will do everything they can to help.

Secondly, "The citizens realized the necessity of our kids getting a higher education and they also knew it was impossible for many of them to get out of town to attend college.

Finally, "I had forgotten the most important thing, the generosity of Malden's businesses and individuals.

"I saw a need and Malden saw a need," said Guy Pinckley. With the Pinckley's help and guidance the dream became a reality.

Over 600 students attend the regional center at Malden.

Another highlight of the event was the presentation of class checks. The foundation accepted more than $36,000 from the classes of 1939, 1949, 1959, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989 and 1994. The checks included a scholarship endowed by Janet Green, a 1949 graduate of the university.

Mary Nenninger, a retiree from the university, has been attending the breakfasts since they first began in 1983. B.W. Harrison who was instrumental in the success of the River Campus and a former "Friends of the University" award winner was present along with several other recipients of the award.

"This used to be my play area," said Marvin Proffer speaking about the property on which the Show Me Center is now located.

"Proffer, a Cape Central graduate who attended Southeast Missouri State University from 1949 to 1953 grew up on North Sprigg.

Proffer continues his association with the university by spearheading fund raising efforts.

Betty and Bill Kimberling of Springfield returned to the campus for the first time since Bill Kimberling's graduation in 1949.

He worked for the Capha Arrow while a student.

"I started here in 1942 and then served in World War II before returning in 1946.

The couple missed the 50th reunion party due to being delayed by a traffic accident I-55. The evening wasn't a complete loss however.

"We went to the Vince Gill concert and it was wonderful," said Betty Kimberling who also happened to be celebrating a birthday Saturday.

"Here we are at breakfast and I don't even eat breakfast at home," she said.