SOUTHEAST UNIVERSITY HONORS FIVE GRADUATES WITH MERIT AWARDS

Five Southeast Missouri State University graduates have been selected as recipients of the University's 1994 Young Alumni Merit Award. They will be honored at a graduation dinner at 6 p.m. April 24 in the Show Me Center.

The honorees include Kim Davis and Dr. James Boyd, both of St. Louis, Susan Renee Freeman of St. Charles, and John Grimm and John Mehner, both of Cape Girardeau.

Presented by the University's Alumni Association, the awards are presented annually to alumni under the age of 36 who have brought distinction to the University through professional growth, service and individual character.

According to Kathy Wolz, chair of the 1994 selection committee, these recipients are outstanding alumni who have excelled in their chosen fields in a relatively short time.

"Each has exceptional professional credentials and has contributed to the excellent image of Southeast Missouri State University," Wolz said. In addition, they have served to enhance this university's reputation as an institution which produces excellent graduates."

This year's award recipient from the College of Liberal Arts is 32nd Judicial District Circuit Judge John Grimm of Cape Girardeau.

Grimm, a 1984 Southeast graduate who majored in political science, began his career as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh after graduating with his law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

In 1989, Grimm joined the law firm of Limbaugh, Russell, Payne, and Howard of Cape Girardeau, a general litigation practice. He remained with the firm until he was appointed circuit judge.

He has been active in serving the University in many alumni and development capacities. He has assisted with fund-raising campaigns and served as chapter advisor for Sigma Chi fraternity from 1989 to 1993. He has been a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity House Association, the Greek Alumni Council, the Booster Club and the Copper Dome Society.

"I am extremely honored to have been named the recipient of this award. As a lifelong resident of Cape Girardeau, the university has always meant a lot to me. I look forward to being an active supporter of the university for many years to come," said Grimm.

The College of Health and Human Services will present its award to Mehner, executive director of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.

Mehner, a 1981 Southeast graduate, majored in political science and graduated cum laude. He later graduated first in his class from the Greater St. Louis Police Academy with 640 hours of law enforcement training.

He served as a police officer with the St. Louis Police Department. In 1985, he returned to Cape Girardeau to assume responsibilities as vice president of Advanced Business Systems. The company received the Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award in 1991.

Mehner has served the university and community in many capacities. He has been active in the Chamber of Commerce, serving as chair of the board in 1992.

"I am surprised but very deeply honored. Cape has been my home for a long time, and it's such an honor to receive such an award from Southeast Missouri State University," said Mehner.

Davis, manager of revenue accounting at Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages, has been selected as the Donald L. Harrison College of Business' award recipient. Davis, a 1986 Southeast graduate who majored in accounting, began her career at Price Waterhouse. In her current position, she is responsible for supervising two to three management employees and indirectly supervising 18 clerical employees.

She has been actively involved in community service throughout her career. She has been committed to the Southeast Missouri State University St. Louis Alumni Chapter, serving as president in 1992-1993, and has been instrumental in raising funds for St. Louis scholarships through the "Event in the Park" auction.

"I felt very honored for being singled out. Many alumni have been successful, so I am honored for the University to have thought of me. University experiences have really stuck with me," said Davis.

Davis is the daughter of Barry and Nadine Davis of Cape Girardeau.

The College of Science and Technology will present its award to Dr. James Boyd, a physician at St. Louis University School of Medicine.

Boyd, a 1980 Southeast graduate who majored in biology, graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine in 1985. He received postgraduate training at the University of Pittsburgh, and received approval from the Joint Counsel of Head and Neck Surgery.

In 1991, he joined the faculty of St. Louis University as an assistant professor. He also held the positions of co-director of the St. Louis University Sinus Clinic, and director of the Head and Neck Multidisciplinary Tumor Board.

Boyd currently is researching the incidence and management of sinusitis in transplant/immuno-comprised patients, tissue expansion, and laryngoplasty, and is developing a patient serum and tissue bank at St. Louis University.

"I am honored and I'm appreciative that I have been selected for this award. I feel indebted to the university for allowing me to get where I am. The university provided a stepping stone for my development, education and training. Without that, what I have done would not be possible," said Boyd.

The College of Education will present its award to Freeman, who is an elementary counselor in the Francis Howell School District of St. Charles.

Freeman, a 1980 Southeast graduate who majored in physical education, began her educational career as a tutor at the Churchill School in Ladue and as a college recruiter for Avila College. She earned a master of arts degree in educational counseling and psychological examining for K-12 students in August of 1986 from Southeast.

Freeman joined the Sikeston faculty as an elementary counselor from 1985 to 1990, and later served as a high school counselor from 1990 to 1993.

She has served the university in many alumni capacities. Throughout her teaching career, she has been active on the National Alumni Council, serving as president from 1991 to 1993. She also served as the Alpha Chi Omega Social Sorority chapter advisor.

"It has been a pleasure and privilege to be involved with Southeast as a student and as an alumna. Southeast and the contacts made there have provided so many opportunities for my family and me and are too numerous to recount. My dearest friendships and profession were formed at Southeast. It is sincerely a heartfelt honor to be recognized by the University that I feel has given so much to me," said Freeman.