COLLEGE MILESTONE

Southeast Missouri State University has earned national accreditation for its Donald L. Harrison College of Business. The designation represents a milestone for the university.

About 1,200 colleges and universities in the nation offer undergraduate business degrees, but only one-fourth of those have earned accreditation by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business. Southeast was one of only 11 schools to receive initial accreditation this year.

The announcement culminates more than 10 years of preparation and achievement. It is a credit to the university faculty, staff, students and supporters. The business college's dean, Gerald McDougall, deserves particular credit for his leadership in the process. He has worked hard to add luster to the university's business program.

No doubt a major consideration in the accreditation process was the construction of a new state-of-the-art business building. Robert A. Dempster Hall near Henderson and New Madrid is expected to be completed for the start of the this year's fall semester. Funding for the business building was a mix of state funding and generous benefactors in the region.

Accreditation is based on a number of factors. The college must meet a wide range of quality standards relating to curriculum, faculty resources, admissions, degree requirements, library and computer facilities, financial resources and intellectual climate.

The designation goes beyond the university campus. A nationally accredited business school should aid in attracting business and industry to the area. It will also help the university draw better-quality business students. That is because a nationally accredited program should carry more weight as graduates enter the work force.

It could also help Southeast as it works to build its enrollment. The College of Business is already one of the largest programs at the university. This distinction could help attract a greater number of business majors.

This national accreditation reflects well on the College of Business and the university as a whole. A decade of work has paid off in a significant achievement for Southeast Missouri State University.