Congratulations to Southeast Missouri State graduates

Saturday will be a landmark day for 1,348 Southeast Missouri State University students as they walk across the Show Me Center stage to receive their diplomas.

The spring 2014 graduating class for the university includes 1,092 undergraduate and 256 master's and specialist students. From the undergraduates, 27 will graduate with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

In the morning an Honors convocation will be held for graduates who will finish with specific distinction. This includes 70 students who will graduate summa cum laude, 102 magna cum laude and 194 cum laude.

The commencement speaker is Dr. Muriel Howard, president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Addressing the honors convocation will be Southeast professor Dr. Walt Lilly, the university's 2013 recipient of the PRIDE Award.

These ceremonies always are memorable for the graduates, their families and friends. It's a time to celebrate achievement and dedication -- both from the students and those who helped make it possible for them to achieve their degree.

We know many families will make their way to town for this weekend's big occasion. Cape Girardeau is a wonderful place to live, and we are pleased your students chose Southeast Missouri State University for their education.

To the students, we wish you God's greatest blessings as you take the next step in your education or career and seek to make a difference.

Congratulations!