SEMO COMMENCEMENT SET

Degrees will be conferred on 855 graduates during spring commencement exercises May 11 at Southeast Missouri State University.

U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley will deliver the commencement address during the exercises scheduled for 2 p.m. in the Show Me Center.

Degrees will be conferred on 781 undergraduates and 74 graduate students. Due to last year's elimination of summer commencement exercises for undergraduates, both spring and summer undergraduates have been invited to participate in the spring ceremony.

Leading the class of undergraduates, all with 4.0 grade point averages: Stephen Owen of Cape Girardeau, who will graduate with a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice; Karen Hasty of Cape Girardeau, who will graduate with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education; Bonnie Johnston of Cape Girardeau, who will graduate with a bachelor of science degree in nursing; Julie Kirchdoerfer of Cape Girardeau who will graduate with a bachelor of science degree in agri-business and agriculture (animal science); Jennifer Miller of Sikeston, who will graduate with a bachelor of science degree in exceptional child education; Kathleen Hein of Alvord, Iowa, who will graduate with a bachelor of science degree in mass communication (corporate video); and Tammy Street of Bloomfield, who will graduate with a bachelor of science degree in nursing.

In addition, 57 members of Phi Kappa Phi will be recognized during commencement exercises. Phi Kappa Phi is an international honor society for academic distinction that brings together individuals from a variety of disciplines. The society was founded at the University of Maine in 1897 and now has 274 chapters in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, the Philippines and Puerto Rico.

Eleven honors scholars will be recognized during commencement exercises. Honors scholars have participated in the University honors program. They are admitted to the program based on their distinguished high school academic record. During their years at Southeast, honors scholars must maintain a grade point average of 3.25 and complete 24 hours of honors credit, six of which must be at the senior level. They also must complete a senior research project.

Local honors scholars to be recognized: Janet Beasley of Jackson, who will graduate cum laude; Jennifer Boyt of Dexter; Kendra Foster and Janet Jarrell of Cape Girardeau, who will both graduate cum laude; Amy Krieger of Perryville, who will graduate cum laude, and Donna Taylor of Morley, who will graduate summa cum laude.

Also to be recognized during commencement exercises are seven students who will graduate with academic distinction. These students have completed a special project in conjunction with faculty members, department chairs and deans after having completed at least 75 credit hours of course work with a 3.25 grade point average in their major department and a 3.0 overall grade point average.

Paula Schnurbusch of Perryville will graduate with distinction in the psychology department. She is the only area student receiving that distinction this spring.

An honors convocation is scheduled for 11 a.m. in Academic Auditorium, during which 153 undergraduates and 36 graduate students will be honored. The undergraduates have earned at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. The graduate students have achieved at least a 3.9 average. Dr. Bert Kellerman, Southeast professor of marketing and the 1995 recipient of the university's Faculty Merit Award, will speak at the convocation.