SOUTHEAST PUTS OUT CARPET FOR ALUMNI; PARADE HIGHLIGHTS HOMECOMING

For about 90 minutes Saturday morning, Broadway turned into the Yellow Brick Road as Southeast Missouri State University celebrated its Homecoming.

Alumni, students and guests saluted "The Wizard of Oz" with the celebration theme "Southeast: There's No Place Like Home."

A "Parade of the Years" was featured, with floats saluting decades from the 1920s to the 1980s. Representatives of the classes of 1930 through 1995 also participated in the parade.

"I think it's absolutely great. I love it every year," said Helen Smith, a Cape Girardeau resident and former student. "I'm glad they decided to have it earlier. At least it's not snowing this year."

"This is my home," said Sarah Dyer, a 1984 Southeast graduate and Cape Girardeau native. She now lives in Cincinnati and tries to come back every year for Homecoming. "It's been joyous, as usual. It's what I always expect."

Throughout the day, several university departments and organizations held open houses and welcomed alumni back to campus. Bratwurst sizzled at an international bazaar sponsored by Alpha Mu Gamma, the foreign languages honor society, and several international student organizations.

At halftime in the Southeast Missouri-Tennessee Tech football game, winners of the float contest were announced.

Winners in Class 1 were Theta Xi and Alpha Xi Delta, first place; Pi Kappa Alpha and Gamma Phi Beta, second place; and Alpha Chi Omega and Sigma Tau Gamma, third place. The Ag Club won first place in Class II.

The 1995 Man and Woman of the Year were Paul Ferguson, the son of David and Ellen Ferguson of Mount Vernon, Ill., and Kimberley Speight, daughter of Wayne and Gail Speight of Caruthersville.

Winners of the university's 1995 Alumni Merit Awards, announced Friday night, were Dr. Joseph S. Kersting, class of 1958, College of Education; Elizabeth Haley Short, class of 1952, College of Liberal Arts; Charles A. Hunt, class of 1963, Harrison College of Business; Patricia Steimle Joyce, class of 1976, College of Health and Human Services; and Dr. Ronald G. Eaglin, class of 1962, College of Science and Technology.

Dr. Bert Kellerman, a marketing professor, won the 1995 Faculty Merit Award.