UNIVERSITY RECEIVES GRANT FOR POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a $921,000 grant to Southeast Missouri State University's School of Polytechnic Studies.

The money will be used to equip the new $8.5 million, 58,000-square-foot Otto and Della Seabaugh Polytechnic Building, which is scheduled to open in August. The building, which is taking shape north of the Towers complex, will house the university's industrial technology department.

The money will go to purchase manufacturing and industrial control equipment as well as computers, said Dr. Randy Shaw, dean of the School of Polytechnic Studies.

"We will be spending a good percentage of it here right away," said Shaw. But it could take as long as two years before all the grant money is spent, he said.

"This is just a godsend to have that kind of support," said Shaw.

Southeast President Dr. Ken Dobbins publicly thanked U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and U.S. Sen. Christopher Bond for their help in securing the funding, the second federal appropriation for the Polytechnic school within the past year. "I am elated," he said.

He also credited university Chancellor Dale Nitzschke's lobbying efforts in helping to secure the funding. "He is very good at explaining the Southeast story to Washington."

The federal government gave $925,000 to Southeast last September to equip the new building with computer labs, computer networking and instructional equipment for technology labs. Most of that money already has been spent, university officials said.

Dobbins said the federal funding ensures that future Southeast Missouri State University graduates will be ready for "high-demand and high-paying jobs in the technology sector."

Emerson said in a written statement that the university's School of Polytechnic Studies will help industrial development throughout the region.

Bond said in a written statement that "when we strengthen local education, we are strengthening our local economy. "