Week of January 25, 1999

 

University To Celebrate Black History Month In February University Announces Enrollment Figures At Start Of Spring Semester Classes
Host Families Needed For Japanese Students Palsgrove Scholarship Benefit Recital Slated For Feb. 26
Public Defender To Be Guest On 'Going Public Regents To Hear Report On Crowley's Ridge National Scenic Byway
KRCU 90.9 FM And Friends Of Music To Host Valentine's Weekend Dinner And Dance  


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University To Celebrate Black History Month In February

Jan. 22, 1999 --

Southeast Missouri State University will celebrate Black History Month in February with a number of events designed to commemorate the heritage of African-Americans.

Events will get under way Feb. 1 with a Minority Student Programs Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University Center Room 310. The Office of Minority Student Programs is celebrating two years of service to students and the campus community.

Also on Feb. 1, a book sale will be held from noon to 3 p.m. in the University Center lobby. Books by and about African-Americans will be on sale in recognition of Black History Month. In addition, book bags also may be purchased, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Michael Davis Scholarship Fund.

Throughout the month, Cape Girardeau elementary school students may participate in an Annual Read-A-Thon, which encourages cultural diversity through literature. The Read-A-Thon begins Jan. 28 and will continue through Feb. 25.

An African-American Read-In Chain is planned for 3 p.m. Feb. 8 in the University Center Program Lounge. The Students of Language Arts are sponsoring the event, in which students, faculty and members of the community are invited to read poetry or excerpts of prose written by their favorite African-American author. This event is part of a national read-in-chain sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English. The Read-In Chain at Southeast will coincide with similar read-ins that will occur simultaneously on other colleges campuses across the country, said Dr. Dean Shackelford, Southeast assistant professor of English, who teaches "African American Literature" at Southeast.

Members of the University community are invited to test their knowledge of Black history

and culture during a Knowledge Bowl slated for 7 p.m. Feb. 11 in the University Center lobby. Those who know where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famed "I Have A Dream" speech

and who the author of Invisible Man are sure to enjoy participating in this event. Teams of three or individuals may register to participate, and prizes will be awarded to winners.

The Annual Michael Davis Lecture will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 14 in the University Center

Ballroom. Chuck Stone, founding president of the National Association of Black Journalists and two-time Pulitzer Prize nominee, will present the lecture. This event honors the late Michael Davis, a Department of Mass Communication major, who died as a result of a hazing incident.

Events will continue Feb. 17 with a Common Hour program, the focus of which will be an open dialogue regarding the impact of affirmative action on college admissions. Trent Ball, director of Minority Student Programs, will lead this discussion, which will be based on the book, The Share of the River: Long Term Consequences of Considering Race in College and University Admissions by William Bowen and Derek Bok. This Common Hour program is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. in the University Center Program Lounge.

Capping the day Feb. 17 will be a Minority Career Exploration Dinner for minority students at 5 p.m. in the atrium of Robert A. Dempster Hall. A keynote speaker and panel of professionals will discuss career paths, motivation and other issues. Those interested in attending should call Career Services at (573) 651-2583.

An awards ceremony is planned for 7 p.m. Feb. 24 in connection with the Mwanamugimu Essay Contest. Students researching various aspects of African culture and countries will be honored for their work. Culture Night is planned for later in the evening at 8 p.m. in the University Center Club. This will be an opportunity for students to display their artistic talents. Poetry readings, dramatizations and other artistic expressions will be featured. Participants may register the day of the program.

Black History Month will come to a close Feb. 26-27 with Black Movie Weekend, which will feature a viewing of all genres of Black movies from the past three decades. Movies made by and for African-Americans will be shown from 6:30 to 11 p.m. in the Johnson Faculty Centre.

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University Announces Enrollment Figures At Start Of Spring Semester Classes

Jan. 22, 1999 --

Total headcount at Southeast Missouri State University stands at 7,605, according to a preliminary enrollment report filed at the start of spring semester classes which began Jan. 19.

Total headcount is up 102 from the 7,503 reported on the first day of classes a year ago.

Total undergraduate student headcount stands at 6,683, up from 6,642 at this time last year. Total graduate student headcount stands at 922, up 7.1 percent from 861 at this time a year ago.

The report shows: total beginning freshmen headcount at 134, up 25 percent from this time last year; total freshmen headcount at 1,420, up two percent from this time a year ago; total sophomore headcount at 1,313, down four percent from a year ago; total junior headcount 1,456, down four percent from this time a year ago; and total senior headcount at 1,905, up four percent from this time last year.

In addition, the report shows a four percent increase in headcount for high school students from this time a year ago. That figure stands at 210. The report also indicates that the number of students pursuing a second degree at Southeast -- 182 -- increased by 16 percent from this time a year ago, and that the headcount for non-degree, unclassified students was nearly identical to the headcount from last spring -- 215 this year, 214 at this time a year ago. Also, the number of students enrolled in master's programs, 615, is up by nine percent from this time last year. Total headcount for graduate specialists stands at 85, up 15 percent from this time a year ago.

A final spring semester census report will be available at the end of the fourth week of spring semester classes.

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Host Families Needed For Japanese Students

Jan. 19, 1999 --

Host families are currently needed for 32 Japanese students who will arrive in Cape Girardeau Feb. 13 to study in the English Intensive Program at Southeast Missouri State University.

These students will be in Cape Girardeau for five weeks, studying English at the University. "But the real learning develops in the home where the student resides," said Tammy Gwaltney with the Intensive English Program.

Host families from Cape Girardeau and Jackson who can extend gracious U.S. hospitality are being sought. Host families receive a subsidy for helping host a student.

"You will be learning about Japanese customs and culture while simultaneously teaching the student about American traditions and practices," Gwaltney said.

Over the years, home-stay families have told University officials that hosting these students is an enriching experience, and that they receive far more from this experience than they ever give, she added.

For more information, call Tammy Gwaltney in the Intensive English Program at Southeast Missouri State University at (573) 651-2591 or (573) 651-2589.

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Palsgrove Scholarship Benefit Recital Slated For Feb. 26

Jan. 19, 1999 --

The Southeast Missouri State University Department of Music will host a benefit concert Feb. 26 in Academic Hall.

The concert, beginning at 8 p.m., is the second annual benefit recital given to raise funds for the Betty Sue Palsgrove Memorial Scholarship. Select students, as well as Department of Music faculty members, will be featured in this event.

The concert is being sponsored by Sigma Alpha Iota, a professional music fraternity for women, for which Betty Sue Palsgrove served as an active member and advisor.

The recital is free, however, donations will be accepted.

For more information, call Rebecca Swett at (573) 651-6050.

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Public Defender To Be Guest On 'Going Public

Jan. 21, 1999 --

Kent Hall, District Defender for the 32nd and 33rd Judicial Circuits, will be the guest at 3 p.m. Jan. 24 on KRCU 90.9 FM's "Going Public" program.

Hall will discuss the role of the Public Defender's Office, perjury and defendant's rights.

"Going Public" is hosted by three faculty members of Southeast Missouri State University. They are: Dr. Tom Harte, Department of Speech Communication and Theatre; Dr. Peter Bergerson, Department of Political Science; and Dr. Chris Schnell, Department of History.

The program airs every Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. on 90.9 FM, KRCU.

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Regents To Hear Report On Crowley's Ridge National Scenic Byway

Jan. 22, 1999 --

The Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents will hear a report on Crowley's Ridge National Scenic Byway when it meets at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 25 in the University Center Ballroom.

University and community members of the Tourism Advisory Council will present a proposal, which they intend to take to Missouri legislators in the near future, asking them to support an appropriation to fund planning and development of state and national scenic byways in Missouri, said Dr. Paul Keys, dean of Southeast's College of Health and Human Services. Keys, along with Dr. Michael Yuan, associate professor of tourism, Dr. Ed Leoni, professor of health and leisure, and Greg Williams of the RCGA, plan to make the report to the Regents, in which they will discuss the advantages of creating scenic byways and the economic impact they can make on the state. Crowley's Ridge, El Camino Real and Trail of Tears are among the proposed state scenic byways to be discussed.

The report follows a meeting last fall in which state and University officials along with Missouri lawmakers discussed plans for developing tourism associated with Crowley's Ridge in Missouri. That meeting was scheduled after Arkansas State University was successful in leading an effort which culminated in the recent designation in the new Federal Transportation Act of the Arkansas portion of Crowley's Ridge as a National Scenic Byway. This action paved the way for major bi-state tourism potential, as Crowley's Ridge spans sections of both Arkansas and Southeast Missouri.

Now, Missouri officials must decide on how Missouri can participate in this effort. In Missouri, Crowley's Ridge runs from the Arkansas border to the Mississippi River at Commerce.

In other business, the Board will consider approving the elimination of the bachelor of arts degree in economics and revision of the bachelor of science degree in business administration. The Regents also will consider approving a performance contract for the North Campus chiller.

The Regents will hear a report from the President, including updates from the chairs of the

Faculty Senate, Clerical Technical Service Employee Staff Council and the Professional Staff Council. The Board also will hear reports on the University's plans for Y2K compliance, Southeast's economic impact on the region, the University's Strategic Implementation Plan, contracts and Facilities Management projects, and the annual report of the Southeast Missouri University Foundation.

After the President's Report, the Board will consider a motion to go into a closed session for appropriate considerations. The Regents will reconvene following the closed session. The final item of business on the agenda will be consideration of a motion to adjourn.

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KRCU 90.9 FM And Friends Of Music To Host Valentine's Weekend Dinner And Dance

Swing and Big Band Music to be performed by `Southeast Jazz'

Jan. 22, 1999 --

KRCU and the Friends of Music will host an evening of dancing and dining at 7 p.m. Feb. 13.

Swing and Big Band music will be featured for dancing along with a buffet dinner at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Cape Girardeau. Proceeds from the event will benefit KRCU and the Friends of Music. Tickets are $25 a person.

The dinner will feature chicken breast and beef tenderloin, along with an assortment of side dishes and a special Valentine dessert. A cash bar also will be available. Dinner is slated for 7 to 8 p.m.

Southeast Jazz will take to the stage at 8 p.m. and provide Swing and Big Band music featuring both old and new selections. The dance floor will stay open until 11 p.m. to ensure guests will have ample time to "Swing."

"It's a perfectly pre-arranged evening out for anybody celebrating Valentine's Day," said Greg Petrowich, general manager of KRCU.

Tickets are available at the KRCU Studios, through the Friends of Music or at the Department of Music Office at Southeast Missouri State University. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information, call (573) 651-5070.

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