NITZSCHKE SAYS MEETING STUDENTS `FUN PART'

Southeast Missouri State University President Dr. Dale Nitzschke has said from the beginning that the elaborate inaugural events the university is sponsoring is for the students, not for him.

He got a chance to meet a number of those honorees Tuesday at a student reception at University Center. "This is the fun part for me," Nitzschke said. "I get to mix and talk with the students."

Kevin Cook, a Southeast senior biology student from Malden, said mixing with the students is not unusual for the new president.

"I think this inauguration is really fitting especially for a president that seems so student oriented," Cook said. "He's very open to listening to the concerns of students."

Neal Boyd, Southeast student-body vice president, said the elaborate eight-day inauguration has been a well-deserved showcasing of the university's achievements and diversity.

Boyd said the university's student activities and organizations, administrative organizations and clubs have all been highlighted as the event goes on. He said he was also pleased with how involved students were in the planning of the event.

Boyd said he thinks this kind of event will help draw students to the university.

Nitzschke said the spirit of the inauguration was embodied Monday night at a student theatrical presentation. He said seven students wrote and performed a 40-minute skit about the decisions involved in going away to college. He said the weighing of options, the uncertainty of leaving home and the difficulties of settling in to a new environment were all portrayed.

Nitzschke said the performance was so "brilliant, so fun and so insightful" that the university is going to videotape it and use it in recruiting.

The skit so moved the president that he talked about it again that evening at a reception with community leaders at the Victorian Inn.

Diane Sides, director of university relations, was in attendance at that reception. She said the inauguration may be bringing the achievements of the university to the one segment of the nation that is not familiar with them -- Southeast Missouri.

"We made U.S. News and World Report four years in a row; it's not like we haven't been nationally known," Sides said.

Sides said this is not the first elaborate inauguration in Southeast's history. She said the last three presidents have all been welcomed in with grand celebrations.

The president's wife, Linda Nitzschke, said the diverse speakers that have appeared through inaugural week have been inspiring for a wide range of people. She said as long as the celebration is about the university and not about her husband, she thinks it should be as elaborate as necessary.

Linda Nitzschke said the demands of this week have been grueling at times but she has been having fun.

"I'll be glad when I can go to Schnucks, buy groceries and make a nice quiet meal at home," she said.