Dr. Deborah Wooldridge, associate dean of the College of Education, and Dr. Jean Benton, coordinator of international education for the College of Education, were on hand to accept the award.

The AACTE Award for Exemplary Practice in Global/International Teacher Education recognizes outstanding practice in the intercultural, global, cross-cultural and international arenas.

"The AACTE Best Practice Award for Global and International Education is a fitting recognition of the long-term commitment of the College of Education at Southeast Missouri State University to providing quality international opportunities for its faculty and students," said Southeast Missouri State University President Dale F. Nitzschke. "We believe firmly that this exposure to other neighborhoods or our global village can only enhance the education our graduates will be able to offer to their elementary and secondary students throughout their teaching careers."

For the past 12 years, the University's Interconnections Program has provided students with international and global education opportunities.The program makes a unique contribution to education through its varied approaches to international education, broadening the vision of educators and students alike. The objective of the program are integrated into each of four program areas: curriculum and programs of study, visiting scholars, faculty research and professional activities and community outreach.

"This award is a validation of the efforts of many faculty, students and K-12 partners," the Dean of Education, Dr. Shirley Stennis-Williams. "We value global education for our teachers. This award is proof that we are doing a job that is worthy of national recognition."

Dr. Deborah Wooldridge, associate dean of the College of Education, says this award is a credit to the College's faculty who have worked to establish its international program. Benton added that her colleagues in the College of Education made this award possible through their support of the many global and international initiatives developed over the years.

Wooldridge says the award also is recognition that the College is becoming a model for best practices in teacher education.

"The award is going to pave the way for the College to showcase our international model to other college of education programs," she said.

Wooldridge said College representatives will make a presentation on the College of Education's international programs at the AACTE annual meeting next year.

"It's going to be an opportunity to share our international programs with other teacher education programs nationwide," Wooldridge said.

Benton added, "The College of Education is now in a position, both nationally and regionally, to provide assistance to other institutions that wish to build sound, integrated programs in global and international education for their pre- and in-service majors."

The award recognizes a number of international initiatives in the College of Education, including the "Student Teaching in Wales" program, "Counseling in England" program and "The Harrogate Educational Partnership Program" in England.

"Student Teaching in Wales" is an exchange program established more than 10 years ago with Swansea Institute of Higher Education in Swansea, Wales. Under the program, 10 elementary education majors, who have successfully completed the first eight weeks of the student teaching requirement, complete the student teaching experience in Swansea schools. During the same period, 10 elementary majors from Swansea Institute teach in the Cape Girardeau schools. Each group is accompanies by a faculty member to supervise students. Students are housed in residence halls on the respective campuses to facilitate interaction between visiting and local students. Cultural events are provided by hosting institutions.

"Counseling in England" is an exchange program established in 1991 with Roehampton Institute, London, to provide an avenue for dialogue between student counselors and practicing counselors in both countries. Eight student counselors, or practicing counselors if space permits, accompanies by a faculty member, visit local counseling sites. In addition, participants attend lectures provided by hosting institution faculty. Opportunities are provided for exchange of research data with master's level counseling students. Participants are housed with host families and are given opportunities to visit local historical sites and attend cultural events.

"The Harrogate Educational Partnership Program" is an exchange program unique in that it is a joint program organized cooperatively by Southeast faculty in both early childhood education (College of Education ) and human environmental studies (College of Health and Human Services) with Harrogate College in Harrogate, England. The program was planned to match the needs and interests of persons working with children, birth through age eight, and is a two-week field-based study of early childhood education. The program is limited to 10 participants with accompanying faculty. Participants visit a variety of programs and schools, and interact with child care workers and faculty. Course credit is optional; students may earn up to three hours of credit.

Wooldridge says the College also has recently expanded its international program as it concerns faculty.

"We have really expanded the focus," she said, adding that visiting international scholars are being invited to campus on a regular basis and that the College is working to create more international experiences for faculty.

"When you get faculty excited about international experiences, you can't help but get students excited about them," she said.

The performance is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom.

"We are pleased to have the Girardot Rose Chorus participate in the 125th Anniversary," said Jim Biundo, chair of the 125th Anniversary Celebration. "These community members bring a unique and enjoyable addition to the celebration."

The program will feature the chorus performing such highlights as "Sentimental Journey," "Seems Like Old Times," "I'm All Alone," "Give My Regards to Broadway," "Back in the Old Routine," "Consider Yourself," "This Is The Moment," "Memories" and "Happy Birthday."

In addition, the Adelines' Cape Rock Five, which includes Melody Loveless, Charlotte Palmer, Melinda Whittiere, Laurie Hill and Abby O'Leary, will perform "Have You Ever Been Lonely." Also performing will be The Accidentals, which includes Sharon Bogenpohl, Irene Stevens, Ellen Seyer and Holly Thomas, performing "Everything Old Is New Again."

The Girardot Rose Chorus is a chapter of Sweet Adelines International and was chartered May 1, 1983. The group meets weekly to rehearse four-part harmony arrangements in barbershop style under the direction of Irene Stevens. Girardot Rose Chorus has performed for numerous civic and social events in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois, and as an affiliate of Region 5, participates in a regional competition and a spring Harmony Retreat.

Barbershop harmony is unaccompanied vocal harmony produced by four voice sections: lead, tenor, baritone and bass. Any woman of average singing ability, with or without vocal training, will find a part that fits her voice range.

The purpose of Sweet Adelines International is to develop public awareness and appreciation of this unique art form. Visitors are always welcome to attend the group's Tuesday night sessions from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, located at Perryville Road and Cape Rock Drive.

The week-long symposium will feature the ballet company, along with a performance of the play, "Keeping Tom Nice," dedication of Grant Lund's "Hawking Mural," a Common Hour program titled "Science and Religion: Friends or Foes?," an "Arts for All" Day program and the First Annual River Campus Celebration of the Arts, both on the grounds of the former St. Vincent's Seminary, and a disability awareness training workshop. All of the symposium events are sponsored primarily by a University and state-wide Funding For Results grant.

"I'd love to see this as the beginning of a regular thing," said Dr. Marc Strauss, assistant professor of physical education at Southeast. "`Embracing Diversity' is a very inclusive term, and it's appropriate for our turn of the millennium."

Strauss says the symposium "is so different" from any other symposium ever hosted at the University.

"I think we will have a number of people participating," he said.

Highlighting the week's events will be a residency on the University campus by the Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels. A professionally integrated dance company, the Dancing Wheels was founded in 1980 and developed into the Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels after forming a strong relationship with the Cleveland Ballet in 1990. The company performs 150 events each year, and tours with Christopher Reeve.

Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels promotes a positive message about disability as well as showcases the talents of dancers with disabilities. The company represents unlimited opportunities for people with and without disabilities, and is a celebration of the spirit of dance. The diversity and artistic achievement of this company are an inspiration for all who experience it, Strauss says. The ability of these performers to overcome both physical barriers and stereotypical attitudes offers people a new vision of what they themselves can do, he said.

The choreography presented by the company uses the full spectrum of the performance space. This encompasses extensive floor work and classical modern dance that requires bare feet as well as fast, intricate wheeling.

Last year, the company was selected to receive two achievement awards from the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation and the Governor's Award for the Arts in Ohio. Co-Artistic Directors are Mary Verdi-Fletcher and Choreographer Sabatino Verlezza. The Associate Artistic Director is Barbara Allegra Verlezza.

Strauss says the group features both "sit-down" and "stand-up dancers."

Verdi-Fletcher, founding director of and principal dancer with the company, was born with spina bifida and understands the challenges facing artists with disabilities. She founded Dancing Wheels in 1980 as a means for people with disabilities to explore the world of dance. Today, the company features eight dancers, three of whom are "sit-down" dancers. Sabatino Verlezza joined Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels in 1994 as the co-artistic director and choreographer, contributing years of professional experience and creative integrity to the group.

The company will kick off its residency at Southeast April 21 with a Dance Club Master Class from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Parker Dance Studio Room 210. All students, faculty, staff and community members with or without disabilities or limitations are invited to participate in the class taught by members of the Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels. No experience is necessary, and people of all ages are encouraged to participate.

The company will hold a master class and discussion in the same location at 9:30 a.m. April 22 and 11 a.m. April 23. A master class also is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. April 22 in Parker Dance Studio Room 210.

The residency will come to a close April 24 with a concert by the company at 6 p.m. in the Show Me Center Arena. A special wine and cheese reception will be held prior to the concert at 5 p.m. in the Show Me Center. Cost of the concert is $5 for adults and $2 for students with an I.D., children 12 and under, senior citizens and people with disabilities. Tickets will be available only at the door.

Tickets are an additional $2 for those wishing to attend the reception. The SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence is sponsoring the reception and making possible a Braille program for the concert.

Special wheelchair accessibility will be available at the concert, and the program will be ASL-signed. Descriptive FM-system narration also will be offered for the hearing and visually impaired.

Other Symposium Events

The University's Embracing Diversity Symposium will begin April 20 with a Disability Awareness Training Workshop titled "Is It OK to Say That?" at 9:30 a.m. in the University Center University Room. This interactive, hands-on workshop will help participants feel comfortable and confident in their daily interactions with students with disabilities. Moderators will be Dr. Karen Myers, director of New Student Programs, and Dr. Kerry Wynn, assistant director of the Learning Enrichment Center. To register for the workshop, call (573) 651-2086.

A play about abilities, disabilities and inabilities, "Keeping Tom Nice" will be performed at 8 p.m. April 20-24 in Grauel 104 Lab Theatre. By Lucy Gannon, this contemporary British drama is harrowingly real but beautifully insightful. Tom spends his life in a wheelchair and his family spends their lives keeping him "nice." The play is recommended for mature audiences and is directed by Dr. Rob Dillon of the University's Department of Speech Communication and Theatre. An informal discussion, sponsored by the Disability Advisory Council, with actors and audience members concerning the issues raised by this troubling play will be held after the show April 22.

A mural that has been painted by a Southeast faculty member at Rhodes Hall of Science will be officially unveiled and dedicated at noon April 21 in the Rhodes 121 hallway. Dr. Grant Lund, professor of art at Southeast, was commissioned by the University to develop a mural for the building in celebration of Southeast's 125th anniversary. Lund, whose artworks can be seen all over the campus, Cape Girardeau and the region, decided to compose the work based on Stephen Hawking and the Lagoon Nebula. On one of the panels, Dr. Hawking is seen sitting in his wheelchair using his computer voice synthesizer to present a part of his quote on the importance of coming to know the creation process.

The Symposium will continue April 21 with a Common Hour program titled "Science and Religion: Friends or Foes?" The panel discussion is scheduled for 12:30 to 1:15 pm. in Rhodes Lecture Hall Room 121. A faculty panel will discuss where science and religion are compatible or if there is a common ground that can allow their seemingly disparate concepts fair and respectful discourse. The discussion will provide rich grist for discussion. Serving on the panel will be Dr. Bill McKinney, chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion; Dr. Allen Gathman, professor of biology; Andy Pratt of the Baptist Student Center; Dr. Grant Lund, professor of art and moderator of the panel; and Dr. Marc Strauss, dance and the related arts. A question and answer period will follow.

The Embracing Diversity Symposium will come to a close April 24 with two programs -- "Arts for All" Day and the First Annual River Campus Celebration of the Arts -- both on the grounds of the former St. Vincent's Seminary.

"Arts for All" Day, which is slated for 1 to 4 p.m., will allow people in wheelchairs to attach an array of instruments to their chair and compose artworks on the asphalt. The arts instruments have been created by Dwayne Szot, an arts inventor.

"Anyone who attended the first `Arts for All' Day last year can attest to the incredible experience had by all," Strauss said. "Any and everyone is welcome."

"Arts for All" Day is co-sponsored by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence, Saint Francis Medical Center, Southeast Missouri Hospital, KBSI/FOX 23 and Target Stores, Inc. The event is free and open to the public.

In conjunction with "Arts for All" Day, the First Annual River Campus Celebration of the Arts will be held from noon to 4 p.m., also at the former seminary. The celebration will feature a croquet party, chicken cook-out and a variety of music, theatre, visual arts and dance events throughout the day. This event is open to the entire University and Cape Girardeau community. The cost of attending the celebration is $2 a person, with proceeds benefitting a special fund for the development of the River Campus.

The church is located off Route W (Kingshighway at Lexington), and ample parking will be available in the church lot. Admission is free.

The concert will open with the University Choir singing “Ehre sei dem Vater” (Heinrich Schutz), “Your Voices Tune” (Handel), and “Ave Maris Stella” (Estaban Salas). These works are followed by the first movement of Mozart’s “Solemn Vespers” (K. 339) “Dixit,” and the Irish folk song, “Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye” (arranged by Robert Shaw and Alice Parker).

The middle portion of the concert will feature alternating programming of music for women’s and men’s voices. The women begin with “Oh, Had I Jubel’s Lyre” (Handel), followed by “Jefferson,” a Shaker Song from The Missouri Harmony, “Adiemus” (Jenkins), “Song of Peace” (Persichetti), and finally, “Heart, We Will Forget Him” (Mulholland).

The final segment of the concert will feature music of the 20th Century, beginning with “Gloria” (Rickard) and “Come to Me, My Love” (Dello Joio). Then, in honor of the centennial of the birth of Randall Thompson, one of America’s most preeminent 20th Century composers, the Choir will sing one of his most popular and widely-performed works, “The Last Words of David.” The program will end with “Hosanna in excelsis” (Pierce), “Oh, My Luve’s Like a Red, Red Rose” (Clausen), and “I’m Gonna’ Sing” (Hunter).

Dr. John Egbert directs the choir, which is accompanied by Tim DePriest.

First place winners in three categories -- student, community member/alumnus, and faculty/staff -- will read their winning essays, which will be published later in Journey literary magazine.

Those who entered the contest were asked to write on topics used for essays read at the University’s “closing ceremonies” at the end of the first school year on June 25, 1874, in Turner’s Hall in downtown Cape Girardeau. Turner’s Hall, currently the Royal N’Orleans Restaurant, also was known in 1874 as The Old Opera House, and had been built in 1868 by the German Turner Society. Those entering this year’s contest were asked to submit revisions on those original topics -- “The Power of Trifles,” “School Days,” “Celebrated Rivers,” “Paddle Your Own Canoe” and “Cape Girardeau in 2025.”

Normal School students in 1874 who presented essays based on these topics included Belle Green on “The Power of Trifles,” Mollie Holmes, who presented “Cape Girardeau in 1900,” Charles K. Hayden on “Paddle Your Own Canoe,” Elizabeth Hines on “Celebrated Rivers” and George Kenrick, who recited his essay on “School Days.”

Entries in this year’s 125th Anniversary Creative Essay Contest were judged by Dr. Susan Swartwout, assistant professor of English; Dr. Jennie Cooper, professor of English; and Dr. Dale Haskell, associate professor of English.

Essays were required to be previously unpublished and between 750 and 1,000 words. The entries were be to creative (non-fiction) essays and could be personal, humorous and informative. Writers were encouraged to infuse their voice and to express themselves on the topic they selected.

Established in 1993, the Missouri Center for the Book is an affiliate of the national Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. The Missouri Center organizes and promotes public programs that celebrate the importance of books, the state’s literary heritage, and the contributions of authors, illustrators, publishers, booksellers, librarians, and others involved in the literary arts.

Headquartered in the Missouri State Library in Jefferson City, the Missouri Center for the Book is governed by a board of directors composed of authors, publishers, librarians, editors and community leaders.

Harry Burger, author of the book, Biancastella: A Jewish Partisan in World War II, will make a keynote Common Hour presentation titled “Resistance, Rescue and Remembrance” from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. April 21 in the University Center Ballroom. The event is free and open to the public.

Burger’s book tells the story of his inspiring journey as a young man through the horrors of the Holocaust. Burger was an Austrian Jew whose father was imprisoned and sent to Auschwitz. The younger Burger and his mother went into hiding. The title of the book, “Biancastella,” is Italian for “white star,” a title that Burger and others later assumed, sabotaging German operations, mounting defensive attacks and capturing many Nazis that would have him dead. The book is a thrilling story of courage and survival.

Burger now serves on the board of the Holocaust Commission of St. Louis and regularly is called upon to tell his story on behalf of the St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center. He and his wife reside in St. Louis.

Later on April 21, Burger will join four other Holocaust survivors for a panel discussion from 3 to 5:30 p.m. in Crisp Hall’s Dempster Auditorium. Joining him on the panel will be Jerry Koenig, Rudolf Oppenheim, Marylou Ruhe and Jacques Braitberg. The panel discussion is free and open to the public.

Koenig and his family were forced to move into the Warsaw Ghetto. Confronting deportation to the Treblinka Concentration Camp, Koenig and his family hid on a small farm in Poland. He is currently a docent at the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center of the Jewish Federation in St. Louis.

Oppenheim, as a German Jew, was compelled to leave an “Aryan” school as a child. After Krisalnacht, Oppenheim and his family emigrated to Shanghai, China, with 20,000 other German and Austrian Jews. He also is a docent at the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center of the Jewish Federation in St. Louis.

Ruhe survived the Lodz Ghetto in Poland, the Auschwitz Death Camp and several enforced labor camps. She is a writer of short stories based upon her memories of the Holocaust. She also is a docent at the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center of the Jewish Federation in St. Louis.

Braitberg was a French partisan, who participated in a French underground organization.

Other events scheduled during Holocaust Remembrance Week at Southeast include a showing of the film “Weapons of the Spirit” at 7 p.m. April 19 in Crisp Hall’s Dempster Auditorium, and a presentation by Dr. Mitchel Gerber, Southeast professor of political science at 7 p.m. April 20 in Myers Hall. Gerber will discuss his research on the French Resistance and the work he engaged in last summer in this area at Harvard University at the fifth National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Seminar for College Teachers. The six-week seminar was titled “War and Memory: Postwar Representations of the Occupancy and World War II in French Literature, History and Film.” In addition to discussing his research interests, Gerber will also show and discuss the film, “Night in Fog.”

Closing out the week will be a faculty forum titled “The Legacy of the Holocaust,” which will be held at 3:15 p.m. April 22 in Crisp Hall’s Dempster Auditorium. Several Southeast faculty members, including Gerber; Dr. Hamner Hill, professor of philosophy and religion; Dr. David Cameron, assistant professor of history; and Dr. Lynne Margolies, assistant professor of foreign languages; will discuss a number of issues surrounding the Holocaust. Human rights, medical ethics and the interdisciplinary nature of the study of the Holocaust are among the topics to be discussed.

Highlighting events during the week, which also coincides with International Week, will be a visit by 18 international visitors representing 13 institutions and organizations with whom Southeast has exchange programs. Those visiting will be:

-- Yoshiya Ishii, president of Aichi University, Japan

-- Hidenori Naruse, chief, International Exchange Division, Aichi University, Japan

-- Shigetoshi Yamamoto, chairperson, International Exchange Division, Aichi University, Japan

-- Julius Onah, vice chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria

-- Chief EAO Shonekan, chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria

-- Dr. Jurgen Hendrich, director, Academic office for Foreign Students, Friedrich-Schiller Universitate Jena, Germany

-- Lei Heijenrath, president, Hogeschool Limburg, The Netherlands.

-- Jos Hermans, dean, Business School, Hogeschool Limburg, The Netherlands

-- Yoshihiro Takase, chairman, Japan-American Academic Center

-- Ingemar Lind, vice chancellor, Orebro University, Sweden

-- Hamiyet Sati, principal, Ozel Seymen Egitim Kurumu, Turkey

-- Dr. Seppo Pynna, Satakunta Polytechnic, Finland

-- Sandra McWilliams, Education Department, Stranmillis University College, United Kingdom

-- K.L. Jones, professor, dean, Faculty of Education, Swansea Institute of Higher Education, Wales

-- Dr. Tsukasa Shimizu, president, Tokyo Kasei University, Japan

-- Yves Escoufier, president, Universite Montpellier II, France

-- Piyush Swami, president, World Council for Curriculum & Instruction, Cincinnati, Ohio

-- Estela Matriano, executive director, World Council for Curriculum & Instruction, Cincinnati, Ohio

The delegation will tour Cape Girardeau and the campus April 13, before taking part in an event titled "Celebrating Our International Exchanges" later that afternoon. The international guests will share their perspectives on the role of international exchange in globalizing student perspectives from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the University Center Party Room. That evening, the delegation will gather for a dinner at Wildwood, the home of Southeast President Dale Nitzschke.

Throughout the week, members of the delegation will participate in a number of other key events as part of the University's "Celebrating Our Diversity Week." The week builds on past efforts to educate students in a global, multicultural world.

A display of study abroad opportunities will be available to students throughout the week, and a Brown Bag Series of presentations will be given by faculty and students who have experienced study abroad or faculty exchanges. Visiting international faculty will present lectures throughout the week on a topic of their expertise, and Southeast faculty will showcase international courses and activities.

Southeast's annual International Festival-International Carnival will get under way at 4 p.m. April 11 in the University Center, third floor lobby. The festival showcases international activities on campus, and international student organizations participate in displays, ethnic food and information sessions. Each day of the week will be designated as a "Regional Day," and on each day a different region of the world will be featured through food, photos and artifacts. The designated days are as follows: April 12: Africa and the Middle East Day; April 13: Asia and the Oceania Day; April 15: Day of the Americas; and April 16: Europe and the Mediterranean Day.

A member of the international delegration, Dr. Hidenori Naruse, chief of the International Exchange Division of Aichi University in Japan, will make a presentation on Aichi at noon April 12 in the University Center Program Lounge. Later that afternoon at 3 p.m. in the University Center Program Lounge, Dr. Andrew Wang, visiting professor with the Hangzhou Institute of Electronic Engineering in China, will give a presentation titled "The Business World of Modern China."

A rededication of the University's World Trade Center Satellite Office will be held at 5 p.m. April 12 in Glenn Auditorium of Robert A. Dempster Hall. Following this event will be a panel discussion by international business representatives, discussing international business and its impact on the local economy. Members of the panel will be Robert Frueh, director, Bruce Adair, Advisory Board chair, and Norman Thomas, Advisory Board member, all to the World Trade Center in St. Louis. Also serving on the panel will be Kohta Fujiwara, president of Biokyowa, and Paul Wiedlin, president of M&W Packaging, U.S. Inc. A reception will follow from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

On April 13, the University will host a luncheon honoring its international students from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom. All international students, international faculty, Intensive English Program students and international programs staff are invited.

"Diversity and the Public Schools" is the title of a program slated for 8 to 9:30 a.m. April 14 in the University Center Computer Lab. Students and teachers from area schools who are using technology to bring diversity into their classrooms will participate.

Three international visitors will discuss current international exchange programs with Southeast and future possibilities during a program scheduled for 10 to 11:30 a.m. April 14 in the University Center University Room. Speaking will be Dr. Ken Jones, dean of the Faculty of Education at the Swansea Institute of Higher Education in Wales, Professor Sandra McWilliams of the Education Department at Stranmillis University College in the United Kingdom, and Hamiyet Sati, principal of Ozel Seymen Egitim Kurumu, the Private Seymen Grade School in Izmit, Kocaeli Valiligi, Turkey. Sati will discuss the details of the possible establishment of an affiliated private high school with Southeast Missouri State. This high school would be based on the American educational system and located in Izmit, Kocaeli Valiligi in Turkey.

Dr. Kim Brown, associate provost for international programs at Portland State University, will give a Common Hour presentation from noon to 1:15 p.m. April 14 in the University Center Party Room titled "Internationalizing the Curriculum: Issues for Educators." At 2 p.m., a program titled "International Connections through Associations" will be held in the University Center Riverboat Room, where the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education's Best Practice Award in Global and International Education will be discussed.

A panel of international faculty and students will discuss "diversity in the arts" during a colloquium from 2:30 to 4 p.m. April 14 in the University Center Party Room. Later at 5 p.m., a student chapter of the World Council for Curriculum and Instruction (WCCI) will be inaugurated in the University Center University Room. Dr. Piyush Swami, president of WCCI, and Dr. Estela Matriano, executive director of WCCI, will officiate.

Another highlight of the week's events will be a presentation at 7:30 p.m. April 14 in Dempster Hall's Glenn Auditorium by Dr. Ronald Takaki titled "The Multicultural Millennium: Diversity and the Academic Community." Takaki is a distinguished professor of ethnic studies at the University of California-Berkeley and author of Strangers from a Different Shore: A History of Asian Americans; A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America; A Larger Memory: A History of our Diversity, with Voices; and Hiroshima: Why America Dropped the Atomic Bomb. This event, which is open to the public, will be followed by a reception and book signing in the atrium of Dempster Hall.

Takaki is the nation's foremost spokesperson for multicultural education. A distinguished scholar and award-winning historian, Takaki has inspired audiences throughout the world with an uplifting new vision of the richness of social diversity and its singular contributions. Takaki's mission is to demonstrate that multiculturalism is not only an social reality but also an intellectually stimulating approach to an array of academic disciplines.

On April 15, faculty can learn about opportunities for faculty exchange programs during a session at 3:30 p.m. in the University Center Indian Room. Dr. Henry Sessoms and Dr. Marvin Swanson will discuss the Missouri London Program, the Maastricht Program and the Magellan Project.

Two major events are scheduled for April 16, beginning with a "Connecting With International and Federal Agencies" workshop. Dr. Dan Riggle of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities' (AASCU) Office of Federal Grants will discuss sources for federal and private funding support for international programs and exchanges. The workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the University Center University Room, followed by lunch in the Program Lounge at 1 p.m. A break-out meeting is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. in the University Center President's Room.

At 2:30 p.m. April 16, Dr. Allan Ostar will lead a panel discussion titled "Weaving the True International Dimension Into the Fabric of the University." Ostar is president emeritus of AASCU and senior consultant with Academic Search Consultation Services. Serving on the panel will be an international student, an international faculty member, an international coordinator and a U.S. study abroad student. This event will be held in Dempster Hall Room 127.

"The theme of the 125th Anniversary is Honoring Yesterday - Creating Tomorrow. What better way to honor Southeast's history than to compile a Lyceum of collected stories, essays, poetry, song and dance from throughout Southeast's past, and to present it in the great hallway of Academic Hall, where so much of our history was born and where Southeast's tomorrow will be created," said Dr. Roseanna Whitlow, an instructor in the Department of Speech Communication and Theatre, the Department of English, and field experiences.

The work “Lyceum” is derived from the temple of Lycian Apollo, where Aristotle established a school and research institute for young Athenians, according to Whitlow.

"Southeast's first Lyceum was held in 1906, and tent Chautauquas were produced in the summers, to entertain and educate," she said.

Whitlow compiled, directed and appears in the Lyceum scheduled for April 10, which is based on selections from "The Inimitable Professor H.O. Grauel: Essays on This and That" edited by John C. Bierk, Normal to University: A Century of Service by Arthur H. Mattingly, and Southeast publications such as the Capaha Arrow and the Sagamore yearbook. Doors will open at 7 p.m.. The Lyceum is open to the public and is free.

In addition to being an instructor at Southeast, Whitlow is a playwright with a bachelor of science degree in speech, communication and theatre and a master of arts degree, both from Southeast. She received her doctoral degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 1993. Whitlow has directed a number of original and compiled productions on- and off-campus. She is active in numerous civic organizations including co-president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, secretary of the Downtown Merchant's Association, and current secretary for the Cape Girardeau Community Pride Coalition.

"We have gathered together a delightful cast of Southeast faculty, staff, students and former students who go back as far as 30 years. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with them again," said Whitlow, who is celebrating her 30th anniversary at Southeast as she enrolled in 1969 as a freshman theatre major.

Making a special appearance in the Lyceum will be Jim Biundo, assistant to the president for University Relations at Southeast and chairperson of the 125th Anniversary Committee, as he recites "Creating Tomorrow," an original poem by Biundo, which celebrates the long future of Southeast's inspiration, education and service to the region.

In addition to his duties at Southeast, Biundo has made over 40 major presentations to regional and national professional, business, and civic organizations. Author of two books, "In the Beginning: The Writing Process," and "Moments of Selfhood: Three Plays by Pirandello," and over 30 published articles on language, communications, marketing, and publications, Biundo also is a charter member of the International Society of Poets and a recipient of the Editor's Choice Award and International Pen Award for several of his published poems. He currently is president of the Cape Girardeau Rotary Club and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.

Other members of the cast include Megwyn Sanders who is currently enrolled at Southeast in the department of theatre, Tana Howard, a 1982 graduate of Southeast with a double-major in English and speech with a theatre emphasis, Tim Thompson, a 1988 graduate of Southeast with a bachelor of science degree in speech communication, theatre and secondary education, Patrick Abbott, and Bill Dunn, a 1985 and 1992 graduate of Southeast with bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees, both in English. Performing special dance numbers will be the DanceXpressions Dancers of the Department of Physical Education and recreation program at Southeast.

Megwyn Amelia Sanders of Carthage, Mo., has appeared in several productions at Southeast including "Ghosts Still Speak," The Music Man, Henry IV, Part I," "The Adventures of Captain Neato-Man," "27 Wagons Full of Cotton," "Dancing at Lughnasa," "Plaza Suite," and most recently, "Sugar." Sanders is also shop assistant to the Department of Theatre, and an assistant to on-the-road productions such as "The Kitchen Table," by Dr. Sharon Bebout Carr at the Prairie Quest Fest Performance Festival in Dixon, Ill.

Tana Howard (formerly Spinner) of Cape Girardeau, won best supporting actress for her role as Mrs. Totty in "A Christmas Carol" and best actress for her role as Ariel in "The Tempest." After graduating from Southeast, Howard became active in community theatre while living in both Louisiana and Texas. Howard currently resides in Cape Girardeau with her husband, Jamie, and eight-year-old son, Trevor. She is presently employed as a legal secretary, but explains that "theatre is her first love."

Tim Thompson teaches speech, theatre, and English at Perryville High School, and is director of theatre and forensics. Thompson was named in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers” in 1992, 1994, and 1996, and was nominated as Outstanding High School Theatre Teacher in 1990. He serves each summer on the Educational Theatre Association staff at the International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska. Thompson is vice president of the Certified Teacher's Association and nominee for the Southeast Missouri District Missouri State Teacher's Association vice president for the 1999 - 2000 year. While at Southeast, Thompson appeared in several laboratory theatre productions, played the role of Bottom in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and appeared in the shows "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" and "Cabaret." In addition, Thompson was the Department of Theatre assistant at Southeast for three years. Thompson and his wife, Susan, have two children, Mariah and Josh, and currently reside in Perryville, Mo.

Patrick Abbott of Cape Girardeau is presently employed by Griffin Distributing, Ltd. of Sikeston, Mo. Abbott attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa., before enrolling at Southeast. Abbott, and his wife, Tina, have two children, Sam and Max.

The two landmark, American works, to be presented in Academic Auditorium in conjunction with a Fine Arts Festival Week and the University’s 125th Anniversary Celebration, will be performed by the Choral Union, University Choir and Orchestra.

“Lincoln Portrait” was written by the eminent American composer Aaron Copland in 1942, at the request of conductor Andre Kostelanetz. World War II was then casting its long shadow over the world, and Kostelanetz wanted a musical composition that would be patriotic and inspirational in its theme. Copland decided to write a musical portrait of Abraham Lincoln, using a text drawn from speeches and letters to express Lincoln’s vision of freedom and democracy. Copland draws material from American folk song and dance, and his brilliant orchestration, open textures, and evocative melodies are in a similar vein to many of his successful works -- “Rodeo,” Billy the Kid,” “Appalachian Spring” -- that capture the American spirit in sound. “Lincoln’s Portrait” premiered in 1942, and has remained a favorite of concert audiences ever since. This performance by the University Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Sara Edgerton, will feature Southeast professor, Dr. Tom Harte, narrating Lincoln’s writings.

Randall Thompson’s timeless, powerful, Post-Romantic masterpiece, “The Testament of Freedom, is based on the writings of Thomas Jefferson. It was written for the University of Virginia, in honor of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Jefferson, that university’s founder, and was composed in 1943, during the heart of America’s involvement in World War II. The work created great national pride during a time of global conflict and has been performed repeatedly across the country.

The concert finale will be an inspiring new work by Joseph Martin, “The Awakening.” It recounts a dual message, describing a disturbing earlier national trend toward an abating of the importance of music programs in our nation’s educational institutions, but evolves into an exaltation of the significance of music in all our lives.

“The Testament of Freedom” is a work I have been planning for several years -- partly because 1999 is the centennial of the birth of Randall Thompson, one of America’s preeminent 20th Century composers,” said Dr. John Egbert, director of the University Choir and Choral Union. “However, with the University celebrating its 125th Anniversary, the timing could not have been better. Additionally, with the recent upsurge of local interest in the arts, `The Awakening’ is, in my mind, the perfect finale to what looks to be an extraordinary concert.

“This is a program of very spirited music, and it may be one of the most `audience friendly’ concerts we have every presented,” Egbert added. “We are expecting another full house, and I believe our patrons will be exhilarated by the concert.

“The community attendance and reception of our performances has been extraordinary. Our performance of `Messiah’ in December literally packed Academic Auditorium. These `major works’ concerts have proven to be such phenomenal musical experiences for singers and audiences alike, and have evolved into major cultural events in our community.”

The University Orchestra is directed by Dr. Sara Edgerton. Choral rehearsal accompanists are Tim DePriest for the University Choir and Christy (Roethemeyer) Shinn for the Choral Union.

Special concert shuttles will provide free transportation to and from Academic Hall from Parking Lot #4 on Henderson between Broadway and Normal. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and senior citizens or free with a University I.D.

A special ceremony, in which the approximately 95-by125-inch size quilt will be presented and displayed, is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the University Center Program Lounge. The presentation will take place at 7:30 p.m. Following the ceremony, the quilt will be permanently displayed on the University campus.

“The Quilters Guild has nearly 100 members from three states, Arkansas, Illinois and Missouri,” said Jim Biundo, chair of the University’s 125th Anniversary Committee. “Is is so gratifying to have such broad-based community participation in the University’s 125th Anniversary.”

Earlier in the afternoon, a presentation titled “Stitches in Time: Intergenerational Patterns in Quilting” will be given at 3:30 p.m. in Crisp Hall Auditorium. Dr. Ruth Stone Schulte of the Department of Social Work and Thelma Stone, a quilt appraiser with the American Quilters’ Society will make the presentation, which will explore the intergenerational transmission of personal interests and values, political and spiritual beliefs, and social concerns through quilts and quilting. The presentation will examine how women have used quilts to become active agents of change, responding to and participating in varied life events.

Sponsored by the Department of Social Work, the 3:30 p.m. presentation will illustrate the richness of family patterns through quilts and demonstrate that women have created both personal and public opportunities as quilt makers to achieve a voice. The presentation also will include a “trunk showing” of quilts.

The 125th anniversary quilt, made by the River Heritage Quilters Guild, is a dedication to the many past and present buildings on the University campus. The centerpiece of the quilt depicts Academic Hall and each of the 14 surrounding perimeter blocks represent each of the other buildings on campus, including the original Normal School Building. An appliquéd border frames the entire quilt.

University representatives first contacted the River Heritage Quitters Guild last April about making the quilt. The Guild agreed to take on the project and formed a committee to spearhead the work. Committee members are Tenna Henning, Judy Robinson, Mary K. Reed, Betty Cord, Jewel Eggley, Madeline Gieselman, Cookie Little, Glenda Nations and Vonda Slinkard. Robinson and Reed have served as designers. In total, 41 quilters have worked on the project.

From the initial contact by the University to the finished product, the quilt has taken about a year to complete, and Guild members have invested about 1,000 hours in putting the quilt together. Although the Guild meets at the Sewing Basket in Cape Girardeau, most of the actual quilting has taken place in the homes of Guild members.

The Guild began work on the quilt by choosing the 14 buildings to feature on the quilt. Photos were then taken of the buildings and enlarged to make them all the same proportions. The photo enlargements were traced to produce patterns, which were then numbered for appliqué. Mary K. Reed and Judy Robinson selected fabric for each block, spending time on campus with swatches to determine what tones they were going to need.

“We bought what we could locally and then went to St. Louis and Paducah, Ky., to shop for fabric,” she said.

Kits were then made and distributed for the blocks, specifying which fabrics were to be used in each section of various buildings. The blocks were then appliquéd. Members then selected embroidery thread and decided on embellishments.

“Mary K. and I designed the quilt and oversaw all the steps in the process of making the quilt,” Robinson said.

Blocks were squared up and set with sashing, and the quilt was marked for quilting design. The quilt was then placed in a quilting frame at the Sewing Basket, and members began quilting.

“We are nearly finished with what quilting can be completed in the frame,” Robinson said. “It will then be removed and I will bring it home with me to quilt in the Alma Mater.”

The final step involves putting on the binding.

The River Heritage Quilters Guild began in March 1988 with 25 members and has since grown to 100 members. The Guild is designed to bring together everyone who shares a love of quilts and quilting.

“We come together willing to share our knowledge,” said member Tenna Henning. “We compare ideas and inspirations, build friendships and participate in projects through social, educational and community activities.”

Robinson says the Guild makes a full-sized `opportunity’ quilt each year for fund raising purposes. The Guild’s “opportunity” quilts are about the same size as the University quilt.

“However, none have been this magnificent,” she said. “We are very proud of the quilt. It has been enjoyable. As we have worked, we have gotten to know each other better. Personally, my appliqué skills have improved greatly simply because I pushed myself to tackle more difficult work than I had done in the past. It is always a pleasure to see a job well done.”

The Marlers provided $10,000 to endow the scholarship, which will be awarded to a Southeast student majoring in geography with an emphasis in tourism.

“What really triggered my interest in the program is a presentation I heard by Dr. Michael Yuan and the enthusiasm that he showed,” Mr. Marler said.

Yuan, who teaches in Southeast’s tourism program, recently discussed developments in Southeast’s tourism program with Mr. Marler.

A native of Normandy, Mo., Lawrence Marler is a 1957 graduate of Southeast, where he majored in earth science and marketing. He is retired as president of L.A. Marler Business Systems in St. Louis County and is serving as a member of the Southeast Missouri University Foundation Board. Donna Marler is a Ste. Genevieve, Mo., native and a graduate of Fontebonne College. She studied for two years at Southeast and taught school for 24 years.

The tourism program at Southeast is growing rapidly, mirroring the major growth nationally in tourism related areas such as cultural heritage tourism and eco-tourism. Cultural heritage tourism deals with such specific cultural issues as battlefields, historic landscapes, townscapes, museums and archaeological sites. Eco-tourism concerns the public’s interest in visiting significant natural resource areas, especially those resources that are endangered or threatened with extinction.

Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan has proposed a Center for Tourism Research for the University in his FY2000 state budget.

“Missouri is described in a number of studies as being deficient in research and data collection so important for cultural heritage tourism,” said Dr. Paul Keys, dean of the College of Health and Human Services. “Cultural Heritage Tourism is one of the major growth areas in the tourism industry and is a major focus of the University’s academic program in tourism.”

Other tourism initiatives under way at Southeast include work by the College of Health and Human Services’ Department of Health and Leisure in joint partnership with Arkansas State University to plan and develop Crowley’s Ridge, the Trail of Tears and El Camino Real as national tourism attractions and as State and National Scenic Byways. Professors Ed Leoni, Yuan, Michael Roark and Susan Yuan are spearheading these planning and research efforts in conjunction with department chair Dr. Mark Langenfeld and the Regional Commerce and Growth Association and the newly-formed Southeast Missouri Tourism Advisory Council.

“This research and planning will further the economic development of Southeast Missouri,” Keys said.

Mr. Marler says Ste. Genevieve can benefit from the development of El Camino Real as a state and national scenic byway.

“There’s such an emphasis today on economic development,” Mr. Marler said. “I really believe this is something we here in Ste. Genevieve ought to be putting an emphasis on. All we have to do with tourism is develop what we have.”

He calls Ste. Genevieve “a tourism jewel. There’s no one else around who has anything like what we have here.”

Southeast officials say that students pursuing geography majors with an emphasis in tourism are being trained for careers as corporate travel coordinators; independent tour organizers; producers of tourism publications; local, state and national governmental tourism developmental specialists; and travel company representatives.

The tourism profession includes jobs within a major growth sector of the state and national economy. Tourism is predicted to become an increasingly larger economic activity as the American population ages, becomes more affluent, develops more diverse interests and has more leisure time.

This is the second scholarship the Marlers have endowed through the Southeast Missouri University Foundation. Last July, the couple provided $10,000 to endow the Lawrence and Donna Marler Scholarship to assist historic preservation majors at Southeast.

Mr. Marler says the endowed scholarship for tourism “goes hand in hand” with the scholarship he and his wife have already provided for historic preservation majors.

“It’s the historic preservation that makes the tourism possible,” he said. “Without preservation, we can’t have any tourism.”

“The exhibit will provide a glimpse of the past, observations about the present and a view toward the future for women in higher education and professional careers,” said Vickie Devenport, a graduate student who conducted research for the exhibit.

One goal of the exhibit, she adds, is to portray the vast array of capable women who have contributed to the growth and advancement of the institution and their chosen fields.

“The exhibit comes full circle to the present and highlights the non-traditional career choices that women are making today,” Devenport said.

The exhibit features five individual displays, with each chronicling the contributions of women and their evolving expectations and achievements from 1873 to 1998. Each exhibit represents a 25-year period of the institution. Additional displays feature other areas that have been important to women at Southeast, from social activities to sports.

Clothing artifacts from the 19th century provided by the River Heritage Museum, the University Museum and the University Archives bring an added dimension to the displays. Early women who taught at Southeast are portrayed in information and photos compiled from Sagamore yearbooks and editions of the Capaha Arrow, which began publishing as early as 1911. Photographs from the 1880s will feature the faculty of the school, the city of Cape Girardeau and the Old Normal School.

The exhibit is the brainchild of a group of women employed in the Finance and Administration Division at Southeast.

Laura Stock, director of purchasing, said the idea for the exhibit was planted early on when the University began planning its 125th anniversary celebration. She said several women in the Finance and Administration Division began brainstorming about how they might get involved in the year-long celebration.

“Those generic wonderings precipitated the initial thoughts that an interesting exhibit might involve the history of women at Southeast,” she said. “A couple members of the group had a longtime involvement with the University and were familiar with the accomplishments of several women who are no longer at the University, but were influential in a special way. And all of us, of course, were familiar with the more recent accomplishments of former President Kala Stroup.”

In addition to Stock, those involved in spearheading the exhibit are Jan Chisman, Southeast Bookstore; Beverly Cutsinger, Student Receivables; Connie Heuschober, Auditing; Mona Hughey, Budget Office; and Kathy Mangels, Controller. Also assisting Devenport with the exhibit was Andrew Halter.

“The more we talked, the more we realized the potential scope of such a project,” Stock said. “In 125 years, women students and employees had changed dramatically at Southeast. Women’s societal roles had changed dramatically too.”

So the group pooled its resources and hired a graduate student, Devenport, and began meeting periodically. Stock said the group began conducting research and learned that several women who devoted years of their life to Southeast were still living in the Cape Girardeau area.

“We knew it would be interesting to interview these women and hear their perspective on Southeast’s history, in addition to reviewing archived information,” she added.

The group also discussed potential interview candidates, exhibits and research findings.

Background information and research was obtained through the resources of the University Archives. Interviews were conducted with retired women and men associated with the University, adding a personal perspective to the exhibit. Some of the retired women were closely involved with advancing the field of physical education for women, whereas others devoted their careers to the supervision of instruction in the Training School. The group’s research also showed that the areas of home economics and nursing have been particularly important for women at Southeast.