Southeast president touts variety of 1,300 new graduates

More than 1,300 students were awarded degrees during Southeast Missouri State University’s 143rd commencement ceremony Saturday afternoon at the Show Me Center.

This year’s graduating class included graduates from all 50 states and scores of countries around the world, Southeast president Carlos Vargas-Aburto told thousands of friends and family members in the crowd.

Vargas said international students such as Nelson G. Mwangi and Raphael E. Pellenard, who graduated cum laude and summa cum laude respectively, enrich the university’s social and educational atmosphere for all students.

He also recognized Jarrid Snyder, who became the first member of his family to earn a college degree.

Vargas said Snyder’s achievement represents the determination, loyalty and faith in one’s abilities to succeed Southeast strives to instill in each of its students.

Keonia Blair, left, Samantha Henry and Kamille Pressley, memebrs of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, celebrate after the Southeast Missouri State University commencement ceremony Saturday at the Show Me Center.Glenn Landberg

There also were a number of students who had served in the military or were planning to. Colton Johnson, who graduated summa cum laude, completed Southeast’s Air Force ROTC program and will be stationed in Pensacola, Florida.

Vargas also recognized another pair of unusual graduates: Grace and Rebecca Taylor, twin sisters who graduated summa cum laude.

“Talk about family togetherness,” Vargas said.

A moment of silence was held for Southeast music and performance arts student Madeline Flieg, who died late last year.

The commencement address was delivered by Southeast professor of mathematics Tamela D. Randolph, who spoke about the many definitions of success, but she first congratulated the graduates.

“To borrow a line from the airlines, ‘Thank you for graduating with us at Southeast Missouri State University,’” Randolph said.

Success, she said, was one of the only words whose definition can vary so wildly as to be unrecognizable from different people’s perspectives.

When Randolph polled acquaintances in preparation for her commencement address, a 10-year-old said it meant “never give up,” an older friend said it meant not having to worry about paying bills anymore, and another said it simply was being able to not burn a meal while cooking.

“We each define success differently,” she said, adding half of being successful is arriving at a functional definition of the term.

A colleague once asked her, she said, why it is that when people fail, they know it, but when they succeed, they’re never as sure?

“You get to decide how to make your mark on life,” she said. “Graduates, I wish each of you many successes in the future. ... Make yourself proud.”

One graduate, Rukhsar Arzoo, said receiving her degrees in marketing and business administration is exciting because it allows her to take the next step in her life.

“It feels great,” she said. “I don’t have to take anything anymore. ... And I’ve already been hired, so I guess that’s the next step.”

tgraef@semissourian.com

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