Corporate sponsorship is available at no cost to businesses that agree to provide discounts on their products or services to Southeast alumni presenting a valid Alumni Association membership card.

"With more than 14,000 alumni in Southeast Missouri, businesses have a great opportunity to promote themselves and support education at the same time," said Robert Cox, president of the National Alumni Council.

"As a local businessperson myself, everyday I see the positive impact Southeast Missouri State University alumni have on our economy," Cox said, "and I'd like to see it grow even greater through the Association's corporate partnership program."

The Alumni Association will promote sponsors through its printed publications including the Alumni Signal with a 50,000 bi-annual circulation and through its popular Web site visited by alumni nationwide.

"Traditionally, we've provided discounts on hotel stays, rental cars and similar items that are valuable nationally for travel to and from our alma mater," said Lori Lynn, chair of the National Alumni Council membership committee, "However, we feel that rounding out our menu of discounts with regional businesses is important."

"In addition to the thousands of alumni who return every year for Homecoming and to participate in other campus events," Lynn said, "local alumni will be able to save on the products and services they already buy locally."

Lynn said interested businesses should contact Doug McDermott, Alumni Association staff resource person, at (573) 651-2976 to discuss the free partnership opportunity.