Honors program marks milestone during SEMO Homecoming events

In a weekend full of reminiscing, dinners and activities, honors students and alumni will be marking a new phase of their program.

During Southeast Missouri State University's Homecoming festivities, the university honors program will celebrate its new facilities. The program will move into a house previously occupied by university relations at 603 N. Henderson Ave.

About 450 students are involved in the program, said Dr. Craig Roberts, director of the program. He said the new space will be more centrally located and include a study room, a kitchen, classrooms and a computer lab.

The facility will help build a community to retain students in the program, Roberts said.

"Sometimes they need that place on campus to feel connected to," he said.

Budget cuts in the earlier part of the decade took a hit on the program because fewer honors classes were offered. He said university officials have made it a priority to help build the program back up. During the past five years enrollment has tripled, he said.

Honors students are required to maintain a 3.25 grade-point average, complete a senior project and take 24 hours of honors courses to earn the recognition.

The program was previously housed on the second floor of 902 College Hill on the south end of the campus. Following a $50,000 renovation, the new space is four times bigger, Roberts said.

"This is one more way we can show the students they're valued," he said.

A location to hold class, advising and events will be more convenient for students, said Amy Nickless, co-chair of the Student Honors Council.

"Previously we would have to have our honors events wherever they could fit," said Nickless, a senior in history and social studies education.

There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. An open house will follow the ceremony and last until 12:30 p.m.

abusch@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

One University Plaza Cape Girardeau, MO

Homecoming events

Friday

* 5 to 7 p.m.: Delta Chi open house

* 6:30 p.m.: Copper Dome Society/ Merit Award recognition dinner, Show Me Center

* 7 to 10 p.m.: Sigma Chi alumni reception, Buckner Brewing Co.

* 7 p.m.: Lambda Chi Alpha alumni reception, Bel Air Grill

* 8 p.m.: Pi Kappa Alpha alumni party, Pike Memorial Lodge

Saturday

* 7:30 a.m.: All-alumni breakfast honoring Distinguished Service Award recipients, Alumni Center

* 9:30 a.m.: Homecoming parade, along Broadway

* After parade -- 1 p.m.: Open house at the new residence hall, Broadway and Henderson Avenue

* 11:30 a.m.: Ribbon cutting ceremony for the honors house at 603 N. Henderson and luncheon with the class of 1959 at the Alumni Center

* 1 p.m.: Southeast football game against Austin Peay, Houck Stadium

* 4 p.m.: Diamond Club reception for alumni 70 years and older, Glenn Convocation Center at River Campus

* 5 p.m.: VET Corps pig roast, Veterans of Foreign War Post 3838

* 7 p.m.: Delta Chi dinner at Port Cape Girardeau, Lambda Chi Alpha dinner at Dockside the Upper Deck and Pi Kappa Alpha dinner and dance at the Elks Lodge

* 7:30 p.m.: America\\'s Hits on Parade featuring the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and the Pied Pipers, Bedell Performance Hal