SISTERS TO GET SEMO DEGREES TODAY

Kathy Kinder and her younger sister Jill routinely studied together. Today, they'll graduate together from Southeast Missouri State University.

They'll be seated side by side on the same row at the 2 p.m. commencement ceremony at the Show Me Center. The sisters are among 495 graduates to receive degrees at the commencement ceremony.

Both Cape Girardeau women will be receiving bachelor of science degrees in general studies.

At 28, Kathy Kinder is three years older than her sister Jill Kinder Haman.

Jill was married in July, but that hasn't stopped her from returning to her parents' red brick home on Bloomfield to study with her older sister at the kitchen table.

"We are best friends pretty much," said Kathy.

Jill echoed that thought. "We have been pretty close all our lives," she said.

Kathy first enrolled at Southeast in 1988. "I went for a few years," she said. About three years ago she dropped out and worked in various retail jobs.

She returned to college in fall 1997.

Jill started taking classes at Southeast in 1992. She worked part time as a nanny and also found time to run.

"I run a lot," she said Friday as she and her sister talked about graduation day.

Jill could have graduated last spring but decided to schedule her classes so she could finish up this fall.

"We decided it would be kind of neat to graduate together," Jill said.

Both Kathy and Jill said they are glad to be graduating with general studies degrees.

Many people don't understand why a student would pursue a general studies degree instead of a specific major. But Kathy and Jill said it was the perfect degree for them because they are interested in many academic areas.

"With general studies degrees, we gained a broader educational experience," said Kathy.

Jill said she took classes in everything from journalism to psychology.

Kathy started out studying fashion merchandising. In the end, she opted for general studies and the flexibility of taking a greater variety of courses.

"I decided that's more fun," said Kathy, whose most enjoyable classes included one on horse science.

At times the sisters even took the same classes together.

Jill said she isn't worried about a career. She said she would like to do religious work of some kind.

Kathy talked of going back into retail work.

Both sisters said they likely would continue taking classes at Southeast just for the joy of learning.

Neither plans to get too excited about graduation today. After all, they still have to study for next week's finals.