STUDENTS WILL GREET DIGNITARY

The arrival today of First Lady Barbara Bush has the College Republicans ready to sing songs and carry signs that welcome their party's matriarch.

About 50 members of the organization jammed into a small room in the University Center Tuesday night to make posters welcoming the president's wife.

They hope at least 150 enthusiastically cheering Southeast Missouri State University students will line the way when the First Lady rides a tram from the R&R Tent to her 2:45 p.m. appointment in the livestock tent at the SEMO District Fair.

Bush is due at the R&R Tent for a question-and-answer session with senior citizens at 2:15 p.m., about 15 minutes earlier than previously scheduled. Seating is expected to be more plentiful at the livestock tent, where the First Lady will distribute ribbons to FFA and 4-H contestants.

How long she will stay at the livestock tent is undetermined. She likes to do more than just make an appearance, according to her schedulers.

"The biggest problem is keeping her on schedule," said Ann Wagner, Missouri executive director of the Bush/Quayle campaign. Wagner was on hand Tuesday night to oversee the sign-making.

Some of the students' signs will say "We Love Barbara" and "Southeast Missouri Welcomes Barbara Bush."

One message is "No Draft Dodgers." Another, "Don't Breathe Clinton's Smoke."

Nathan Cooper, co-chairman of the College Republicans, will carry a poster that says, "We Want Jobs, Not Spotted Owls."

Cooper, 18, claims to have been a Republican since he was age 8.

"Ronald Reagan," he says by way of explanation. "He was an awesome figure. There was a striking comparison between him and Jimmy Carter."

He and the rest of the College Republicans have been promised they will meet the First Lady, whom Cooper calls "a great lady." He doesn't have a speech worked out.

Something like, "I appreciate what you're doing for the country," he said. "It won't be an in-depth conversation."