Gov. Parson to SEMO graduating students: 'we can all work together to ensure the future is bright'

Gov. Mike Parson emphasized the importance of investing in education and leadership during Southeast Missouri State University’s afternoon spring commencement Saturday at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.

Gov. Mike Parson speaks during Southeast commencement Saturday at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.TYLER GRAEF

1,401 Southeast students received diplomas Saturday — 1,105 undergraduates, 268 master’s degree candidates and 28 specialist candidates.

It was the first time since 2012 a Missouri governor delivered a commencement address at the university and it was Parson’s third appearance in Cape Girardeau in less than a year.

The afternoon ceremony recognized graduating students in the colleges of Humanities and Social Sciences; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; and the Holland College of Arts and Media.

“As your governor, I’m giving everything possible to make sure our students have all the opportunities they need to become productive members of Missouri’s workforce,” he said.

Which means, Parson said, investing in Missouri’s higher education institutions, including universities, community colleges or tech schools.

And he stressed the importance of those facilities to “constantly be working on bold solutions to meet the challenges of the rapidly changing 21st century economy.”

“Students and parents should have confidence that a student completing a degree or a certification program can find a job upon graduating,” Parson said.

And businesses, he said, should also have the confidence Southeast students are graduating with the right skills to meet the local workforce demands.

For that reason, Parson said, he is “committed to investing in education from the very beginning.”

He talked of the implementation of a “robust K-12 education system” across the State of Missouri, adding he has been a strong supporter throughout his time in the legislature and as governor.

Parson said, “By investing in education and providing students the right opportunities ... we can all work together to ensure the future is bright.”

“I know I wouldn’t be standing here today in front of you without the teachers of mine,” he said. “And not a day goes by that I don’t think about the impact that they had on my life.”

He spoke of the significance of graduates staying in Missouri and selecting a career.

And with Missouri’s unemployment rate consistently at a near historical low over the last few months, Parson said, he is “confident Missouri has a job for [each graduate] in one of the many, fantastic communities across our state.”

He said he and his wife have both experienced “the American dream” in Missouri.

“And I’m excited about the opportunities that await each of you,” he said.

Parson said, “I often tell my grandkids that all things are possible if you have the will to try and the faith to believe you can.”

Kevin Dickson, who chairs the management department in the Harrison College of Business and Computing, addressed graduating students in the College of Education, Health and Human Studies and the Harrison College of Business and Computing at the 10 a.m. ceremony.

jhartwig@semissourian.com

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