University will honor distinguished alumni

A new honor is being created by Southeast Missouri State University to be given to former students who attended the school but didn't graduate from the institution. The list of initial honorees to be given the university's first batch of Distinguished Service Awards is an impressive one. Included are two local men long active in business, professional and civic affairs.

Longtime state Sen. Al Spradling Jr., who attended Southeast two years before earning his law degree from the University of Missouri. Spradling served 25 years in the Senate and has practiced law for 60 years.

Longtime Jackson business leader Vernon Kasten, who also attended two years before earning his undergraduate and master's degrees in ceramic engineering from the school now known as the University of Missouri-Rolla. Kasten's family firm has long been a mainstay of Cape Girardeau County industry.

Other honorees include Rolla Anderson of Kalamazoo, Mich., Don Burrgrabe of Rosewood, Calif., and Brandon Mehrle of Whittier, Calif.

Each of these honorees has brought "distinction to the university and remain active in the life of the university," said Jane Stacy, director of alumni services and development. She's right.

The awards will be given at the All-Alumni Luncheon Oct. 19 at the Show Me Center. Here's hoping for a fine turnout that day to honor these men who have brought distinction to the university.