UNIVERSITY NAMES DEPARTMENT CHAIRMAN

Dr. Carol Scates literally has come out on top as chairman of the English department at Southeast Missouri State University.

"Life for me begins at 12,000 feet," Scates said. Besides being an avid mountain climber and backpacker, Scates enjoys racing sailboats and traveling throughout the country.

"I'd like to travel in other countries, but there's so much here I haven't seen," she said.

On the other hand, there is a lot here Scates has seen. She has lived in Alaska, Hawaii, Maryland, Mississippi, New Mexico and Missouri. She's made a living not only as a college professor, but as a painter, a language analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense and a writer as well.

Scates earned her bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1971. She attained her master's degree in the field of American literature and her doctorate in the field of linguistics. In 1986 she also received a bachelor of fine arts degree in painting and drawing.

Scates came to Southeast from New Mexico Highlands University, where she had worked for the past 7 1/2 years. She chaired the English and philosophy department there for six years.

Scates said she was attracted to Southeast by the friendliness of people and the geography of the state.