Week of September 10, 2001



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UNIVERSITIES DEDICATING FOOTBALL GAME TO VICTIMS OF NATIONAL TRAGEDY

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., Sept. 14, 2001 – Southeast and Southwest Missouri State Universities will dedicate Saturday’s football game in Cape Girardeau to those who are suffering and who have lost their lives as a result of the national tragedies this week at the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and in Pennsylvania.

“Following the advice of President Bush that our country should continue to function, we decided it is appropriate to go ahead with this game,” said Kenneth W. Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University.

Southeast is scheduled to take on the Southwest Missouri State University Bears at 6 p.m. in the non-conference game at Houck Stadium.

Greek student organizations at Southeast will be accepting donations for disaster relief at all of the gates into Houck Stadium. Funds collected will be donated to the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the New York Firefighters Relief Fund.

In addition, a special ceremony will provide an opportunity for those in attendance to pay respect to the victims of these violent attacks and those who mourn their losses. Special selections will be performed by the Golden Eagles Marching Band, and Lori Shaffer, vocal music instructor with the Southeast music faculty, will lead the audience in singing the National Anthem and “God Bless America.”

Area military and reserve units, law enforcement officers, and firefighters have been invited to attend the game, and those in uniform will be admitted with their families at no cost. Those who attend will be asked to participate in the pre-game ceremony on the field.

“It is fitting that we take this opportunity publicly to honor the memory of those whose lives were so needlessly taken in Tuesday’s acts of violence, to think about those who were injured and those who are grieving, and to pay tribute to those who are working around the clock to rescue those who may still survive in the ruins,” Dobbins said.

“The joy in tomorrow’s game is obviously diminished by the horrible events of the past week,” said Dr. John H. Keiser, President of Southwest Missouri State University. “But as President Bush stated on Wednesday, ‘the nation mourns, but our government will go on, and the country will function.’ We are a strong nation that values our freedom. In that vein, we will continue on. This is a way for us to join the rest of the nation in demonstrating that the American spirit has not been crushed.”

The nation is participating today in the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the victims of the attacks, but Saturday, Dobbins said, is when we must begin the difficult job of restoring confidence and returning to normal.

In that same spirit, Dobbins said, Southeast is proceeding with the dedication Saturday morning of the new Otto and Della Seabaugh Polytechnic Building on the University campus. Both U. S. Senator Christopher S. “Kit” Bond and 8th District Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson, who are scheduled to speak at that ceremony, requested that the University proceed with the event as a means of helping restore a sense of normality throughout the nation.

Dobbins said that getting on with the University’s business of educating young people demonstrates faith in the future of America.

The White House conveyed to the NCAA that it is encouraging a return to normality across the country. Southeast hopes Saturday’s events in Cape Girardeau will show the resiliency of the American spirit, Dobbins said.

COUNSELING AVAILABLE TO CAMPUS COMMUNITY AS A RESULT OF NATIONAL TRAGEDY

Students, faculty or staff who have concerns about the national tragedy occurring earlier this week in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania and who want to talk to a counselor should call the University’s Center for Health and Counseling at (573) 651-2270 or Dean of Students Irene Ferguson at (573) 651-2263 during office hours.

After 5 p.m., such requests may be made by calling the Department of Public Safety at (573) 651-2215 and the caller will be referred to a qualified counselor.

Due to the heightened state of awareness suggested by state emergency officials, any suspicious individuals or activities on the campus should be reported at once to the Southeast Department of Public Safety at (573) 651-2215.

Requests for information about the University response to the crisis should be made by calling the University News Bureau at (573) 651-2552.

POLYTECHNIC BUILDING DEDICATION TO HAVE PATRIOTIC FLAIR

In light of tragic events happening earlier this week in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, the dedication of the Otto and Della Seabaugh Polytechnic Building at Southeast Missouri State University Sept. 15 has been refocused around a patriotic theme.

American flags will be displayed, patriotic music will be performed and remarks by participating officials will acknowledge the national tragedy experienced this week. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. The public is invited.

Participating will be U.S. Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond and U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, who proposed a resolution this week unanimously passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, urging that Americans fly flags in front of businesses, schools, and homes for the next 30 days as a sign of unity and patriotism after the Attack on America.

Both Bond and Emerson will participate in lab demonstrations planned by industrial and engineering technology faculty at Southeast.

Faculty members will conduct the following lab demonstrations: Manufacturing planning software, computer aided machining software, a coordinate measuring machine, computer numerical control machining, robotics and automation, material testing, industrial automation, motor control stations, human machine interface, hydraulics/pneumatics, instructional technology, multimedia software, solid modeling, video editing and computer animation, rapid prototyping, screen printing, Polytechnic Building construction, electronics design and simulation, co computer networking and instructional television and smart boards.

SOUTHEAST CAMPUS MINISTRIES TO HOLD INTERFAITH SERVICE
Arrangements made for viewing of television coverage, for students to get counseling

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., Sept. 11, 2001 – In light of today’s tragedies throughout the country, the Association of Campus Ministries at Southeast Missouri State University will hold an interfaith service at 7:30 this evening at the Kala M. Stroup Fountain on the Plaza, just in front of Kent Library.

The public is welcome to the 15-minute service.

In addition, the University has made arrangements for students, faculty and staff to watch the news on television together and has made counselors and professional staff available to discuss concerns about today’s events with individuals if desired. University community members may view television coverage and/or talk to counselors from 5 to 7 p.m. today in the University Center third floor lounge and from 7 to 10 p.m. tonight in Myers Hall, Towers Cafeteria and the Student Recreation Center.

Requests for information about the University response to the crisis should be made by calling the University News Bureau at (573) 651-2552.

Due to the heightened state of awareness suggested by state emergency officials, any suspicious individuals or activities on the campus should be reported at once to the Southeast Department of Public Safety at (573) 651-2215.

Students, faculty or staff who have concerns about the situation and want to talk to a counselor should call the University’s Center for Health and Counseling at (573) 651-2270 or Dean of Students Irene Ferguson at (573) 651-2263 during office hours. After 5 p.m., such requests may be made by calling the Department of Public Safety at (573) 651-2215 and the caller will be referred to a qualified counselor.

FAMILY WEEKEND CELEBRATES 24TH YEAR

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., Sept. 21, 2001 - Southeast Missouri State University will celebrate its 24th Family Weekend with numerous activities for students, faculty, staff and their families to enjoy together Oct. 5-7.

Family Weekend has a long tradition at Southeast that evolved as a result of Parents' Day that began in 1977.

Parents' Day was established to honor the parents of Southeast football players and to thank those who support the University's athletes. While activities associated with the event have changed over the years, a Southeast football game always has been integral to the celebration.

In 1978, Southeast's Department of Public Services began coordinating Parents' Day. Along with the traditional football game, a picnic, tours of residence halls and a "College Fair," introducing faculty and staff to parents, was added. Parents could visit the Rose Theatre, the University Museum, the Bubble and the SEMO Regional Crime Lab.

By 1979, a theme was added to Parents' Day. The first theme was "Meet Me in St. Louis," and for entertainment, the movie, "Meet Me in St. Louis," was shown.

The 1980 Parents' Day saw the arrival of live entertainment as Southeast hosted a "Hoedown," where over 500 people crowded into the University Center to hear the "Stringtown String Band."

Student talent and a celebrity emcee livened the 1981 Parents' Day as SAC and Phi Mu Alpha teamed up for the "All Campus Revue." And, for the first time, tables were set on the Academic Hall lawn where student organizations and clubs boasted their efforts and achievements.

In 1982, "Meet the President," an informal question-and-answer session between parents and the president of the University, was added to the venue.

Parents' Day became Parents' Weekend in 1985 with Sunday brunch at Wildwood, the home of the University president, and student-guided bus tours of Cape Girardeau.

In 1986, Parents' Weekend became Family Weekend due to the growing number of non-traditional students on campus. Since then, the weekend has featured a "Comedy Night," a performance of "Phantom of the Opera," a mystery sleuth, and concerts by Brooks and Dunn, Wolfman Jack, Kenny Rodgers, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Village People, The Temptations, The Beach Boys and Davy Jones of The Monkees.

Highlighting Family Weekend 2001 will be a performance by "The Association" following the Southeast football game on Saturday evening, Oct. 6.

Family Weekend has evolved into a tradition that has something for everyone. It is still built around the traditional Saturday night football game, but many other activities lead and follow this event. Family Weekend is full of receptions, tours, mixers and lots of other entertainment. Make attending Family Weekend a tradition for your family.

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ENGINEERING PHYSICS PROGRAM RECEIVES ACCREDITATION

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., Sept. 7, 2001 -- The Engineering Physics Program in the Department of Physics at Southeast Missouri State University has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

The program now joins about 15 other engineering physics programs nationwide that are accredited. ABET consists of four commissions; the EAC covers engineering programs. ABET is the sole accrediting body for engineering programs in the United States.

The Engineering Physics Program was accredited after a self study was completed that overviews faculty, students, curriculum and facilities. ABET evaluators later visited the campus last fall. The ABET Board accredited the program in July and announced its decision to Southeast officials earlier this month.

Dr. David Probst, chair of the Southeast Department of Physics, said ABET accreditation is a "stamp of approval" and improves the way the Engineering Physics Program is viewed by employers.

"It really helps when our students go to look for jobs," Probst said.

Also with accreditation, students in the program now are automatically eligible to sit for the eight-hour Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (the FE exam), which is the first step to becoming a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Missouri. After obtaining four years of creditable engineering experience, a graduate then can take the eight-hour Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam (the PE exam). This is equivalent to the Medical Board Exams for physicians or the Bar Exam for lawyers, Probst said.

"When they pass the PE exam, they are licensed to practice engineering, just as a physician is licensed to practice medicine or a lawyer is licensed to practice law," he said.

Accreditation also means that students now can obtain an accredited engineering degree at Southeast rather than transferring to the University of Missouri -Rolla, the University of Missouri-Columbia or another engineering school.

Southeast's Engineering Physics Program was launched in the mid 1970s. Engineering is the profession in which basic knowledge from the mathematical and natural sciences is applied to develop new ways to use the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of society. Physics is perhaps the most fundamental of the sciences. It involves the study of the nature of basic things such as motion, forces, energy, matter, heat, sound, light and the atom.

The Engineering Physics Program, then, is an interdisciplinary program that combines the study of engineering and physics into one curriculum. Students not only acquire knowledge of fundamental physical and mathematical principles, but they also learn to apply this knowledge for the benefit of society. The Engineering Physics Program at Southeast has an electrical engineering emphasis, combining the core of an electrical engineering curriculum with the core of a physics curriculum. The result is a versatile degree that enables a student to immediately enter employment or to pursue graduate education in a number of disciplines related to physics and engineering.

Graduates are employed as physicists, engineering physicists, and engineers with titles such as electrical engineer, electronics engineer, systems analyst, systems engineer, instrumentation engineer, computer engineer, and software engineer. In addition to these opportunities in research, design, and development, opportunities exist in occupations requiring scientific and engineering expertise such as marketing, management, administration, and sales. Opportunities for graduate study are diverse, including medicine or law.

Currently, the Southeast Department of Physics has about 30 four-year majors, about half of whom are Engineering Physics majors. The rest are Physics and Physics Education (Secondary Education) majors.

The Department of Physics also offers a two-year pre-engineering program in which students transfer to an engineering school, usually the University of Missouri-Rolla or the University of Missouri-Columbia, to obtain an engineering degree in a named engineering discipline, such as mechanical, civil, electrical or chemical engineering. Southeast has about 50 students in this program.

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TLAPEK REAPPOINTED TO BOARD OF REGENTS

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., Sept. 5, 2001 -- John C. Tlapek of Cape Girardeau has been reappointed to a six-year-term on the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents.

Missouri Gov. Bob Holden announced Tlapek's reappointment today. Tlapek's new six-year term will expire Jan. 1, 2007. Tlapek was first appointed to the Board in 1998 by Gov. Mel Carnahan to fill the unexpired term of Donald L. Harrison.

"During the past three years, John has provided Southeast Missouri State University with a great deal of support, dedication and leadership, assisting the Board with guiding the University through the dedication and opening of both the Kennett and Sikeston Area Higher Education Centers, the planning and construction of the new Otto and Della Seabaugh Polytechnic Building, and the planning process for a new residence hall," said Dr. Kenneth W. Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University. "John provides great insights on the Bootheel region of our area, and brings many experiences from the private business sector that benefit the University."

Tlapek is president of the Summit Equity Group; chairman of the Board of the Auto Tire and Parks Race Park; majority owner of Shaefer's Power Panels and partner in C.S. Partners Real Estate Company.

He is a member of the Young President's Organization and the Automotive Service Industry Association.

Tlapek is involved in numerous community and civic organizations, including the Jimmy Huega Center in Vail, Colo., Youth With a Mission in San Diego, Calif., and the St. Louis Area Council Boy Scouts of America. Locally, he has been involved with the American Cancer Society, the St. Francis Hospital Foundation and he is a member of the Cape Girardeau Lions Club.

He is a graduate of Southeast with majors in management and economics, and was the Donald L. Harrison College of Business's 1995 recipient of the Young Alumni Merit Award. Presented by the University's Alumni Association, this award is given annually to those alumni under the age of 36 who have brought distinction to the University through professional growth, service and individual character.

Tlapek serves as a member of the University's President's Council, was a co-donor to the University of the Tlapek General Services Building in 1989, and often is a guest lecturer in the University's Department of Finance and Management.

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