UNIVERSITY FORMS GROUP FOR BUSINESS GRADUATES, STUDENTS

The Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Association of Business Professionals has been launched to provide a social and professional network for Southeast business graduates and students.

"This is a great opportunity," said Deborah Beard, director of the group, an Alumni Council member and chair of Southeast's Department of Accounting and Finance.

"We need to keep in touch with our alumni. This association will allow us to network informally with each other to keep abreast of changing business trends and of career opportunities, and to discuss practical aspects of our teaching and scholarship."

The association was chartered in October and, so far, has drawn the interest of about 25 alumni, Beard said. Mark Huber, a Cape Girardeau native employed by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. of St. Louis, has been elected interim president. The association also has adopted a constitution and plans to name a board of directors soon, Beard said.

The group is the first professional alumni society to be formed on campus. This is one part of a major undertaking by Jane Stacy, director of Alumni Services, to expand alumni chapters across the country and to develop professional associations for various constituency groups, Beard said.

The intent of constituency chapters is to "help increase interaction among alumni of different colleges, the University and students," she added. "The idea is to create ownership of the colleges and departments for alumni."

Beard said the business association, which will support and promote the College of Business Administration, plans to meet informally during quarterly meetings in Cape Girardeau, St. Louis and surrounding communities. The Special Events Committee of the association is planning a golf tournament in Cape Girardeau for next May or June.

Membership is open to all Southeast students who graduated with a major in the College of Business Administration and who pay annual Southeast Alumni Association dues.

Associate memberships are open to supporters of the organization. For more information, contact Jane Stacy at 651-2259 or Deborah Beard at 651-2119.