Special weekend ahead for 800 Southeast Missouri students

Almost 800 students will receive their degrees Saturday afternoon at Southeast Missouri State University's winter commencement ceremony.

The auspicious event will be at 2 p.m. at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, preceded by an honors convocation at 10:30 a.m. for 185 undergraduates.

About 611 students will receive their undergraduate degrees Saturday, while most of the rest will be conferred master's and specialist designations.

And although winter commencement numbers usually tend to be lower than in the spring, the total number of winter grads is up from last year, according to a recent Southeast Missourian article. In 2014, 680 students graduated in December.

But regardless of numbers and factoids associated with graduation, it's important to remember what a significant time this is in the lives of the students.

For four years -- sometimes longer, sometimes less -- they have built their lives around preparing for their professional careers, in preparing for what they hope will be a brighter future for themselves and their loved ones.

Each graduate will be crossing the stage Saturday with hopes and dreams for tomorrow.

Let's wish them the best as they commence toward rich, full and prosperous lives.