LICHTENEGGER TELLS GRADUATES TO FULFILL DREAMS

Receiving a degree from Southeast Missouri State University provides individuals with considerable "capital" and an opportunity to fulfill the same dream and philosophy of Thomas Jefferson.

That message was bestowed by John P. Lichtenneger, a Jackson attorney and commencement speaker at Southeast Missouri State's graduation Saturday. Some 663 undergraduate and 36 graduate students received their degrees at the Show Me Center.

"Two-hundred-seven years ago your education, my education, began with an unequivocal commitment by those who came before us," said Lichtenneger, a former student at Southeast. "Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall be forever encouraged."

Said Lichtenneger: "This statement of principles authored by a committee headed by Thomas Jefferson is known to us in part as the ordinance of 1787. This was the statement by some of the founding fathers of our country who served on this committee, of our country, of our national philosophy on the importance of education in our system of government. Your graduation today is the culmination -- the fulfillment -- of that national philosophy adopted many years ago."

Lichtenneger has had an opportunity to measure the education system at Southeast against others in the state. "It may be hard to believe, but students who complete pre-engineering course work at Southeast and transfer to the University of Missouri at Rolla succeed and graduate with engineering degrees at a greater rate than the traditional student who starts as a freshman at Rolla," he said.

Southeast has been on the cutting edge of education for some time, said Lichtenneger. "During the last several years I was able to work closely with Regent Ann Dombrowski and Dr. (Kala) Stroup as a member of The Task Force on Critical Choices for Higher Education. This task force completed a report challenging the administrations and faculties of all universities in Missouri," said Lichtenneger.

"Regent Dombrowski and Dr. Stroup contributed greatly. What we found on this task force composed of representatives of all public and private universities in the state was that Southeast Missouri State University was already leading the way in reform and restructuring for efficiency in administration in the classroom."

Lichtenneger said: "The brilliant social philosopher, Michael Novack, argues that it is no accident that the word capital derives from the Latin capitalis, which stands for head, or mind, suggesting that all real wealth has always been seen as ideas and thought. You have been blessed with capital and a great education, which has enhanced your God-given talents. It is your challenge to demonstrate and utilize this capital for the good of our nation, world and this university.

Is there still opportunity in this great country? Is the American dream alive and well? You bet it is -- more than ever -- it is a worldwide dream."