WILFERTH NAMED FRIEND OF SEMO

Cape Girardeau businesswoman Judith R. Wilferth was named "Friend of the University" at the annual Copper Dome breakfast Saturday at the Show Me Center.

The award is the highest honor the Southeast Missouri State University Foundation bestowes.

Wilferth, former chairwoman of the foundation's board of directors, was recognized for her support and close association with the university's mission, purposes, plans and programs.

Wilferth called the award "a great honor" and said she had done her best to be a friend of the university.

"I'm a great believer in education and in the contributions that the university makes to the community, both culturally and economically," she said.

University President Dr. Kala M. Stroup, in making the presentation, described Wilferth as a "Wonder Woman."

"This volunteer looks for work," Stroup said, describing Wilferth as a leader at the university and in many other community foundation campaigns.

Stroup said that while Wilferth was chairwoman from 1990 to 1992 the Foundation undertook its most ambitious project ever -- a $25 million capital campaign.

Wilferth is a 1963 graduate of the university, where she earned a bachelor's degree in French and German. She has been involved in the retailing business since 1973.

She owned and managed the Crossroads a retail shopping and professional office center in Cape Girardeau and operates Children's Bazaar, a retail children's clothing company; Boy's Corner, a boys' clothing store; and Sandy's, a classic women's clothing store.

Wilferth first served the Foundation as a member of its founding board of directors from 1983 to 1989 and was appointed chairwoman in 1990, serving a two-year term, during which the Foundation launched the "A New Vision of Excellence" capital campaign and the Horizon Club, the Foundation's planned giving organization.

The Horizon Club recognizes donors who have named the Foundation as a beneficiary of a will, trust, annuity, insurance policy or any other planned gift.

A member of the President's Council, Wilferth serves as a member of the Foundation Board and of its Finance and Audit Committee.

Wilferth has been active in numerous civic roles. She is chairman of the Cape Girardeau Parks Development Foundation, secretary of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Foundation, vice president of St. Francis Medical Center Foundation Board, a member of the university's Dean's Advisory Council, the Cape Girardeau Community Executive Board and the Chateau Girardeau Foundation board.

She previously co-chaired the Salvation Army's Capital Fund Drive, chaired the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's University Relations Committee and retail Steering Committee and participated in the Missouri Governor's Small Business Advisory Council.

She also has served as a mentor for the Missouri Women's Network for Entrepreneurial Training, president of Cape West Merchants' Association and chairwoman of the board on the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.

Wilferth joins a select group of "Friends" of the University. Included on the list is Rush H. Limbaugh Sr., the first "Friend," selected in 1983.

Others are Robert A. Dempster, 1984; Marvin E. Proffer, 1985; Rosemary A. Crisp, 1986; Margaret Woods Allen, 1987; Louis Daniel Brodsky, 1988; Sen. John Dennis, 1989; Anne Bradshaw, 1990; Martin Hecht, 1991; Delmar A. Cobble, 1992 and Don Harrison, 1993.