More than 1,400 to graduate in Southeast Missouri State University Spring commencement

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Southeast Missouri State University will celebrate the graduation of 1,414 spring and summer graduates in two ceremonies on May 13 at the Show Me Center.

Dr. Steven J. Hoffman will be the speaker at the morning ceremony. Dr. Jim McGill will be the speaker at the afternoon ceremony.

Family and friends who cannot attend the ceremonies in-person can view a live stream. The stream will be available at semo.edu/commencement.

Commencement Details:

Saturday, May 13

• 10 a.m. ceremony
  • Holland College of Arts and Media
  • Harrison College of Business and Computing
  • College of Humanities and Social Sciences
• 2 p.m. ceremony
  • College of Education, Health, and Human Studies
  • College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Commencement by the numbers:

• 1,414 graduates
• 1,026 undergraduates
• 367 master’s graduates
• 21 specialist candidates
• 438 students graduating with honors
• 108 graduating summa cum laude (3.9 – 4.0 cumulative grade point average)
• 124 graduating magna cum laude (3.75 – 3.89 cumulative grade point average)
• 206 graduating cum laude (3.5 – 3.74 cumulative grade point average)
• 149 students graduating with a cumulative 4.0 grade point average
• 34 undergraduates
• 116 master’s and specialist

Dr. Jim McGill just completed his 20th year as a faculty member at Southeast. He’s a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics and an associate dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. McGill is an organic chemist who also specializes in forensic chemistry, working as a chemist for the Drug Enforcement Administration at one point in his career. He focuses on helping students find their gifts and their passions, putting them together to find their calling. He’s won several awards including the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education, the National Academic Advising Association’s Outstanding Faculty Advising Award, the SEMO PRIDE Award, and the Jane Stephens Honors Program Faculty Exempli Gratia Award. He’s also one of five Honorary Student Government Senators at SEMO and the only faculty member to hold that distinction.

Dr. Steven Hoffman has been at Southeast for 28 years as a faculty member. He is a professor in the Department of History and Anthropology, the director of the Bollinger Center for Regional History, and coordinator of the Historic Preservation Program. Hoffman’s work centers on engaging students in preservation work inside the classroom and out. Recently, Old Town Cape started a scholarship in Hoffman’s name that centers around Southern urban history and preservation. He’s won several awards including Faculty Merit Award, PRIDE Award, the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education, the Chamber of Commerce’s University Educator of the Year, the College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Teaching Award, the Civic and Global Engagement Award, and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Equity Award.

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