Southeast Missouri State University
For more information, contact:
Ann K. Hayes (573) 651-2552
ahayes@semo.edu

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMMENCEMENT TIP SHEET

May commencement at Southeast Missouri State University is planned for 2 p.m. May 17 in the Show Me Center. An Honors Convocation is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. May 17, also in the Show Me Center. Several candidates for graduation have reported interesting feature stories about themselves that could be developed in connection with spring commencement. These story tips with contact names and phone numbers are listed below. Students will begin assembling for commencement at 1:15 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center. The Southeast News Bureau is happy to make arrangements for you to meet and interview any of the graduates listed below between 1:15 and 1:30 p.m. May 17 in the Student Recreation Center. Please do not hesitate to call the News Bureau at (573) 651-2552 with any questions about these or other commencement stories.

Kenji Shinozaki of Munakata Fukuoka, Japan, will graduate from Southeast with a bachelor of science degree, majoring in chemistry, and a bachelor of science degree, majoring in biology. Shinozaki has been in the United States since 1998. He has not returned home to visit since he entered the United States. His parents, Tatsuo and Hiroko Shinozaki of Munakata Fukuoka, Japan, will be traveling to Cape Girardeau to see their son graduate. Shinozaki works in the Tower's Cafeteria and has taken on the nickname of "omelet guy." In July, he will be moving to Cleveland, Ohio, to work at PPG Industries. Kenji Shinozaki can be reached at (573) 587-1062.

Derek McCarty of Pevely, Mo., will graduate from Southeast with a bachelor of science degree, majoring in mass communication with a concentration in public relations and minoring in expository writing. He is a 26-year-old Marine Corps veteran. McCarty is the first in his family to attend college. He also has struggled with ulcerative colitis for the past two years. In addition, he will be graduating from Southeast debt free. His parents are Gary and Juanita McCarty of Pevely, Mo. Derek McCarty can be reached at (573) 335-1521.

Spring DeCramer of Cape Girardeau, will graduate from Southeast with a bachelor of science degree, majoring in criminal justice with a concentration in social work. DeCramer's family has a history of attending Southeast. Her brother and mother graduated from Southeast in 2002. Her father, Steve Stilson, received a bachelor of science in business administration degree from Southeast in 1979. Her uncle, Dr. Kenneth Stilson, graduated from Southeast in 1984 and is the chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at Southeast, and her aunt, Dr. Rhonda Stilson, graduated from Southeast in 1985 and is a professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Southeast. Her mother is Maria Stilson of Cape Girardeau. Spring DeCramer can be reached at (573) 339-0370.

Amanda Detring of Jackson, Mo., will graduate from Southeast with a bachelor of science in education degree, majoring in business education. She is the third generation in her family to graduate from Southeast. Her maternal grandfather, James Dement, graduated from Southeast in 1948, and her maternal grandmother, Betty Blumenberg Hudson, graduated from Southeast in 1965 and 1973. Detring's paternal grandparents, Walter and Jeri Detring, graduated from Southeast in 1971. Her father, Dr. Kenneth Detring, and his brother, G. Wayne Detring, are both Southeast graduates. Her mother, Dawn Detring, and her two brothers, were all Southeast graduates. Her sister, Meredith Detring, will be starting her freshman year at Southeast in fall 2003. In addition, Detring is engaged to Brian Bonfanti, who graduated from Southeast in 2002. Her parents are Dr. Kenneth and Dawn Detring of Jackson, Mo. Amanda Detring can be reached at (573) 243-7972.

Beth Nenninger of Leopold, Mo., will graduate from Southeast with a bachelor of science degree, majoring in agribusiness. Nenninger's family has a history of attending Southeast. Her father, Greg Nenninger, received a bachelor of science in education degree and a master of arts in education degree from Southeast in 1967 and 1982. Her sister, Vicki Sue Nenninger Robben, was a 1991 Southeast graduate, and her brother, Steve Nenninger, is a Southeast graduate and an instructor in the Department of Economics and Finance at Southeast. Her father is Greg Nenninger of Leopold, Mo. Beth Nenninger can be reached at (573) 339-3906.

Dena Deimund of Scott City, Mo., will graduate from Southeast with a bachelor of science in education degree, majoring in elementary education with a concentration in special early childhood. She is the first in her family to attend. Deimund also has a 10-year-old son. Her family has experienced several personal losses during her attendance at Southeast including losing their home to a fire. Her parents are Jerry and Irma Rhodes of Scott City, Mo. Dena Deimund can be reached at (573) 264-3012 or (573) 264-3854.

Sandra Evertowski of Florissant, Mo., will graduate from Southeast with a bachelor of science degree, majoring in agribusiness with an option in horticulture. She will graduate after a 40-year hiatus from earlier college studies. Sandra Evertowski can be reached at (314) 838-4117 or (314) 837-4841.

Carla Lee of Rolla, Mo., will graduate from Southeast with a bachelor of arts degree, majoring in English with an option in writing and minoring in small press publishing. She is the first in her family to attend college. Lee's paternal grandfather was unable to read, and her father was not educated beyond elementary school. Her parents are Carl and Lucille Lee of Rolla, Mo. Carla Lee can be reached at (573) 339-9461.

T. Yvonne Arnzen of Scott City, Mo., will graduate from Southeast with a bachelor of science in business administration degree, majoring in organizational administration. She is the first in her family of nine children to attend college. It has taken her 30 years to complete her degree, while working full-time at the University. Her mother is Mable Smith from Redford, Mo. T. Yvonne Arnzen can be reached at (573) 651-2155 or (573) 264-2443.

Nathan Huck of Jackson, Mo., will graduate from Southeast with a bachelor of science degree, majoring in biology and a bachelor of arts degree, majoring in chemistry. He will graduate from Southeast after attending four different colleges in six years. He has attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, Central College and the University of Connecticut. His parents are Linus and Rebecca Huck from Jackson, Mo. Nathan Huck can be reached at (573) 243-8645.

Erin Pfeifer of Chaffee, Mo., will graduate from Southeast with a bachelor of science in business administration degree, majoring in management with a concentration in human resource management. Pfeifer is the seventh of eight children in her family to attend Southeast. Her parents are Eugene and Jerralee Eftink of Chaffee, Mo. Erin Pfeifer can be reached at (573) 332-8589.

Jon and Megan Thrower of Cape Girardeau, will graduate from Southeast with a bachelor of arts degree, majoring in English with a writing option and minoring in small press publishing, and a bachelor of fine arts degree, majoring in art, respectively. Neither graduated from high school, but both received their GED and attended Southeast as non-traditional students. The Thrower's can be reached at (573) 651-3303.

 

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