SEMO's Stilson wins Governor's Award

Since his arrival at Southeast Missouri State University in 2001, Dr. Kenneth Stilson has been accompanied by much positive change.

Stilson, professor of acting, directing and musical theater and chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance, worked for 13 years to achieve accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Theatre. He also was instrumental in helping bring forth the university's recently opened, $23.3 million River Campus expansion project.

Slightly more than a year ago, when the coveted accreditation came through, it set Stilson's department on a par with the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts and a bevy of other venerable institutions across the country.

"It puts us in another class and will go a long way toward our goal of being one of the top undergraduate theater training programs at state universities in the entire Midwest," Stilson was quoted as saying at the time.

Little did Stilson know then that about 12 months later, he would be given the Governor's Award for Excellence in Education at a ceremony in Jefferson City.

Recipients of the award are selected by their respective universities for excellence as teachers and their extraordinary levels of scholarship and service.

Given his time at Southeast, it is clear Dr. Stilson has earned the accolade and then some. We give him a standing ovation for his latest achievement and look forward to many milestones ahead.

Dr. Stilson: Please take a bow.