STUDENT TO GIVE GRADUATION TALK

Christie Johnson, the student representative to the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents, will present the address at commencement exercises Saturday at the Show Me Center.

Johnson, who is from Cooter, is no stranger to public speaking. She spoke in August at the Democratic rally for President Bill Clinton.

She is best known for her role as student representative to the Board of Regents. Her two-year term will end Jan. 1, 1998. She will graduate with an accounting degree in May 1998.

Commencement exercises are scheduled for 2 p.m., during which 470 undergraduates and 36 graduate students at Southeast will receive diplomas.

Leading the class of undergraduates will be Anita Louise Buchheit of Chaffee and Kimberly Lovell of Festus, both of whom hold 4.0 grade point averages. Buchheit will receive a bachelor of science degree in nursing. Lovell will receive a bachelor of science degree in social work.

Other top graduates: Heather Dean of Bunker, who will graduate with a bachelor of science degree in business administration, majoring in accounting, with a 3.975 grade point average; Jennifer Myers of Sikeston, who will graduate with a bachelor of science degree in education, majoring in early childhood education, with a 3.974 grade point average; and Joyce Theiss of Frohna, who will graduate with a bachelor of science degree in education, majoring in English education, with a 3.969 grade point average.

In addition, 26 members of Phi Kappa Phi will be recognized during commencement exercises. Phi Kappa Phi is an international honor society for academic distinction that brings together individuals from a variety of disciplines. The society was founded at the University of Maine in 1897 and now has 274 chapters in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, the Philippines and Puerto Rico.

Two honors scholars also will be recognized during commencement exercises. They are Michelle Buehler of Perryville, who will graduate magna cum laude, and Clay Woemmel of Cape Girardeau.

Honors scholars have participated in the university's honors program. They are admitted to the program based on their distinguished high school academic record. During their years at Southeast, scholars must maintain a grade point average of 3.25 and complete 24 hours of honors credit, six of which must be at the senior level. They also must complete a senior research project.

Also to be recognized during commencement exercises is Sharon Braun of Jackson, who will graduate with academic distinction in psychology. Braun has completed a special project in conjunction with a faculty member, department chair and dean after having completed at least 75 credit hours of course work with a 3.25 grade point average in her major department and a 3.0 overall grade point average. Braun will graduate with distinction in the psychology department.

An honors convocation is scheduled for 11 a.m. in Academic Auditorium, during which 73 undergraduates and 18 graduate students will be honored.