Southeast will graduate a record number at May 14 commencement

Southeast Missouri State University will graduate 1,327 students this month, which would set a school record.

The university's Spring Commencement Ceremony will be at 2 p.m. May 14 in the Show Me Center. A total of 1,051 undergraduate and 276 master's and specialist students will receive their degrees in their respective fields.

Dr. Tamela Randolph, chair of the Department of Mathematics at Southeast, will deliver the commencement address.

Randolph joined Southeast in 1997 as an assistant professor of mathematics. Since that time, she has risen through the academic ranks, serving as associate professor for four years before assuming the role of department chair in 2009.

During her tenure, she also has served as interim dean of the College of Education and interim associate dean and acting dean of the College of Health and Human Services.

She holds a doctoral degree in mathematics education from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, a master's degree in mathematics from Southeast and a bachelor's degree in education with an emphasis in secondary mathematics education from Truman State University.

Before commencement, an Honors Convocation will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Show Me Center to honor 384 graduates.

Dr. John Kraemer, professor in the Department of Biology, director of Environmental Science Program and the 2015 recipient of the university's Faculty Merit Award, will present the Honors Convocation address.

Among the undergraduate students at the Honors Convocation, 65 students will graduate summa cum laude (3.9 to 4.0 cumulative grade-point average); 98 will graduate magna cum laude (3.75 to 3.89 cumulative grade-point average); and 183 will graduate cum laude (3.5 to 3.74 cumulative grade-point average).

Six students also will be recognized for graduating with academic distinction in their department major, 30 will be recognized for completing the Jane Stephens Honors Program, and two will be recognized for graduating with honors in an associate degree.

Accounting senior Patrick Marshall is excited about the new adventure he will embark on once he graduates from Southeast.

"Graduating from Southeast means one part of my life is over, and I get to start a new journey," Marshall said. "I will definitely miss Southeast because everyone is really friendly here and I don't feel like that is how the real world is."

Advertising senior Mayoo Lawal said she feels like she has made the best of her time at Southeast and has grown from her college experience.

"Coming from Nigeria, I believe that I have learned a lot about myself in America," Lawal said. "The educational experience has allowed me to grow tremendously, and I feel like I have made the most of this experience, and while I am sad to see it end, I am excited to be graduating."