PICNIC WELCOMES STUDENTS TO CAMPUS, CITY

Some of the university students gathered Sunday in Capaha Park threw Frisbees or took a chance throwing baseballs at the dunking booth. Others danced to the music pumped over loud speakers.

Nearly all found their way to the big tent where they grabbed grilled hot dogs, chips and sodas.

They were there rubbing elbows with the faculty and members of the business community as a part of the annual Welcome Back Picnic held for Southeast Missouri State University students by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and the university.

Jerry McDougal, chairman of the Chamber's University Relations Committee and Dean of the Business College said the picnic was a way to welcome back returning students and make new students feel at home. It was, he said, a way to make students aware of the support the chamber gives to the university and the students.

"Businesses realize that students contribute a lot to the Cape Girardeau economy," McDougal said.

"We want students to know that they are not transients or intruders, but vital to the economy of Cape Girardeau," he said.

Circuit Judge John Grimm, who has been spearheading the Welcome Back Picnic for the chamber since its inception, said that it was important to let the students know how important they are to the city.

"The Chamber of Commerce, which is made up of business and professional people, are happy to have the university here because we know the impact the university has on the community," Grimm said.

Grimm had been at the park since 8 a.m. Sunday morning helping to set up for the picnic and assisting Dr. Scott Gibbs in constructing a special balloon sculpture for the picnic.

The sculpture -- a blanket of red balloons draped over the back of the band shell with the number 125 in white balloons at the center -- was in commemoration of the university's 125th anniversary during the 1998-99 academic year.

"We stepped up the efforts for the 125th anniversary," Grimm said.

Gibbs -- who was assisted in the sculpture by many assistants, including his family, Judge Grimm and Grimm's father, Judge Stanley Grimm -- called the sculpture and the picnic a "good creative, collaborative effort."

The university, which begins classes today, kicked off its 125th anniversary celebration with the picnic Sunday afternoon. The theme for the celebration year is "Honoring Yesterday -- Creating Tomorrow."

Beginning today, an exhibit of more than 100 historic photographs will open in the south dining hall of the University Center. The exhibit, entitled "125 Years of Student Life at Southeast," was commissioned by the University Center for permanent display.

University President Dr. Dale Nitzsche said the university's ability to offer high quality education depends in part on a positive relationship with the city and the region.

Pointing to the celebration going on throughout the park, Nitzsche said, "When the involvement of the community is this large, it means a lot to the students."

No exact count was given for the number of students, faculty and Chamber of Commerce members present at the picnic. McDougall said that in years past, about 1,500 attended the event.

"This year, with the 125th anniversary celebration, we're looking for 3,000," he said.

The Chamber would get some idea of how many attended by the number of hot dogs eaten and sodas consumed.

"Nothing scientific in the count. Today's not a time for serious studies," McDougal said. "That starts tomorrow."