SEMO BUILDING TO CARRY DONORS' NAMES

Southeast Missouri State University's polytechnic building has yet to be built, but it already has a name.

The Board of Regents voted Wednesday to name the structure after Otto and Della Seabaugh. The Cape Girardeau couple has agreed to donate more than $1 million to help fund construction of the school's planned technology building.

State funding will provide another $5.6 million for the project.

The building will house the school's industrial arts program as part of the new Polytechnic Institute.

The Seabaughs attended the regents meeting, which was held in the University Center Ballroom.

The Seabaughs are among the school's major benefactors. In 1990, the Seabaughs made provisions for a six-figure deferred gift to the university's foundation to endow a scholarship fund. The scholarship is the largest endowed scholarship fund at Southeast. Proceeds benefit students graduating from public high schools in Cape Girardeau and Bollinger counties.

Last fall the Seabaughs were honored with the Southeast Missouri University Foundation's Friend of the University Award. The occasion marked the first time in the 15-year history of the award that a couple had been so honored.

Southeast president Dr. Dale Nitzschke said, "We are so pleased that the Seabaughs have joined us in our vision for a facility that will help educate an advanced technology work force to serve manufacturing in Missouri for many years to come."

Both Otto and Della Seabaugh graduated from Southeast with education degrees. He graduated in 1936 and she in 1941.

"I just want to see better facilities than when I went to school," Otto Seabaugh said.

He was a high-school teacher for five years before leaving the teaching profession for a career in private industry. He was employed by Western Cartridge Co. in St. Louis and later worked for McDonnell-Douglas, Ford Motor Co. and Olin Corp. He worked in statistical quality control for the Olin Corp. He retired in 1977.

She taught for 43 years in public schools in Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Connecticut.

He said nothing is more important than spending money to educate future generations.