SEMO: CARNAHAN NAMES TWO REGENTS

Cape Girardeau attorney Don Dickerson and St. Louis newspaper editor Patricia Washington were named to the board of regents of Southeast Missouri State University Wednesday by Gov. Mel Carnahan.

Both are graduates of the University, however, their graduation dates were three decades apart.

"I am very pleased and honored to be nominated by the governor to serve on the board of the school where I got my undergraduate degree," said Dickerson. "I look forward to serving and hope that I can make some solid contributions."

Dickerson, 61, who graduated from Southeast with a bachelor of arts degree in 1954, and Washington, 32, who graduated from Southeast with a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1984, were named to six-year terms on the board of regents.

They replace Daniel Williams of St. Louis and Carl Ben Bidewell of Poplar Bluff, whose terms expired at the end of the year.

"Don and Patricia have a proven commitment to education," said Carnahan in a news release announcing the appointments. "I am confident they will be outstanding advocates for education."

Both appointments are subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate.

Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, has pledged his support for Dickerson, while Sen. J.B. "Jet" Banks, D-St. Louis, who has Washington in his district, has agreed to sponsor her nomination.

Dickerson noted that there is quite a contrast in ages, but said that should make the board a stronger unit and expand its representation.

"I think it is delightful to have a younger person on that board from the city of St. Louis," said Dickerson. "She will help bring a different insight into some of the things the school needs to do from the standpoint of policy."

Dickerson added that the St. Louis area is an important part of Southeast's service region and is a major source of students.

Washington is a native of Cape Girardeau and has been the host of a radio talk show and a cable television magazine show. Currently, she is the managing editor of the St. Louis American Newspaper.

She is president of the Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists and is a volunteer for a community program called "The St. Louis Public School Role Model Program."

Dickerson is an attorney in the firm of Thomasson, Dickerson, Gilbert and Cook and has a law degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He attended law school with Gov. Carnahan.

Dickerson has been a member of the SEMO Dean's Advisory Council to the Business School and has been active with the Copper Dome Society and Booster Club at Southeast.

After Carnahan was elected, Dickerson said he talked with him about boards or commissions where he might serve the state. Dickerson said his preference was to serve in this area.

"I always thought Southeast Missouri State is the single most important asset we have in this area, and I am concerned about the continued welfare of this school," said Dickerson. "I just think it is vital for our economic development in this region."

Dickerson pointed out that had Southeast not been located in this part of the state it is unlikely he would have been able to attend college. "I suspect I wasn't different from a lot of kids, and I am sure that is the case now," he said.

As a member of the board of regents, Dickerson said he sees his role as "working to keep the university on sound financial footing, trying to develop its programs to meet the needs of the area, and provide educational opportunities for students.

"It is my feeling that we are in an area of the state where I think this university is more important to Southeast Missouri than any other school is to a given region in the whole state."

Dickerson added, "I think we need to improve our physical facilities and make education as economically feasible as possible. We are all concerned about the rising costs of higher education for young people in this area, and this school offers a tremendous opportunity for students all over Southeast Missouri and in the St. Louis area."

Dickerson and Washington will serve terms expiring Jan. 1, 1999. Other Southeast regents are: Donald L. Harrison and Elizabeth Ann Dombrowski, both from Cape Girardeau, whose terms expire Jan. 1, 1995; and Mark Pelts of Kennett, and Lynn Matthews Dempster of Sikeston, whose terms end Jan. 1, 1997.