Southeast Missouri State University
For more information, contact:
Ann K. Hayes (573) 651-2552
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BEDELL NAMED SOUTHEAST HOMECOMING PARADE MARSHAL

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., Oct. 11, 2002 – Southeast Missouri State University has announced that Donald C. Bedell will serve as parade marshal for the 2002 Homecoming parade on Saturday, Oct. 19.

The parade is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. at Broadway and West End Blvd. The parade will proceed east on Broadway to Main Street and then south on Main.

“We are honored that Don Bedell will serve as our 2002 Homecoming parade marshal,” said Kenneth W. Dobbins, Southeast president. “Mr. Bedell is a special friend of Southeast Missouri State University, and his participation in Homecoming is so fitting because of our theme, ‘Southeast: The Bridge to Success.’ Mr. Bedell’s generosity has served as a bridge to the success of our River Campus campaign, allowing us to reach over the half-way mark in our commitment from private donors for that project. In addition, he is a generous supporter of scholarships and our athletic programs at Southeast Missouri State University.”

The University plans to name a 1,000-plus-seat performance hall at the proposed River Campus in Bedell’s honor following his seven-figure gift last fall to the Southeast Missouri University Foundation in support of this project.

Bedell, a Sikeston, Mo., businessman, currently serves as chairman of the board of Health Facilities Management Corporation, a firm he founded in 1984. The company operates nursing homes in Missouri, Arizona and Arkansas. He also serves on several bank boards and is an avid conservationist. He is a member of the Conservation Federation of Missouri and a life sponsor of Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Safari Club International.

Bedell was appointed by former Gov. Christopher “Kit” Bond to the Missouri State Board of Health in 1973, and he served in that capacity until 1976, including two terms as its chairperson. Bedell has served as president, and is the only individual to have held all the offices of the American Health Care Association – the largest national organization of nursing homes, representing approximately one million nursing home beds.

He also has been president of the Missouri Health Care Association, chairman of the Board of the National Fire Protection Association, chairman of the National Policy Forum’s task force on long term health care financing, and has served on the U.S. Department of Labor Immigration Nursing Relief Advisory Committee and as a delegate to the 1995 White House Conference on Aging.

Prior to his career in the health care industry, Bedell held positions with an independent telephone company in Van Buren, Mo., and with the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission in Ellsinore, Mo.

Bedell received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1963, and earned a master of science degree from Louisiana State University in 1966. He also completed 60 hours toward a doctor of philosophy degree.

His son, Donald B. “Brad” Bedell, serves on the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents.

 

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