SEMO commencement

More than 700 students will graduate Saturday as Southeast Missouri State University holds its fall commencement at the Show Me Center.

The graduating class includes 532 undergraduates, 192 students receiving master's degrees and 15 students earning specialist degrees.

In addition to the afternoon commencement, 135 undergraduates, 54 master's degree students and 12 students receiving specialist degrees will be recognized during the Honors Convocation at 10:30 a.m.

Dr. James Stapleton, executive director of the Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and an associate professor of entrepreneurship at Southeast, will give the Honors Convocation address. Stapleton received the Faculty Merit Award earlier this year and is also the 2012 Provost's Research, Instruction and Development for Excellence (PRIDE) Award recipient.

Addressing the students at the commencement will be U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt. Before being elected to the Senate, Blunt served in the House of Representative and as Missouri's Secretary of State. He also has been a history teacher and president of Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo.

Congratulations to all the graduating students. Finishing your degree is a significant accomplishment. Today we celebrate your hard work and the support and dedication of your family and friends who played a role in your success.

For some of you the next step may be unknown. But instead of worrying, consider this your next challenge. Education is a good first step in making yourself marketable in the workforce. Combine that with a strong work ethic, high integrity and good attitude and you'll have a good start in your professional endeavors.