Southeast Missouri State University graduate Kaci Heins recently received an opportunity most other elementary school teachers never get. During the spring of 2010, she spent five days attending Space Camp for Educators at the United States Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala.
For Allie Borowiak, playing softball throughout her college career with the Redhawks softball team was a way of life. This chapter came to a halt, though, after this Southeast senior had career ending shoulder surgery.
Some say “the sky’s the limit,” while others live that philosophy. Southeast 2009 Woman of the Year, Emily Brown of O’Fallon, Mo., became involved at Southeast Missouri State University as soon as she stepped foot on campus
Volunteering is something that not all people enjoy. Southeast Missouri State University freshman Kelsey Magee, of Columbia, Ill., thrives on it. Kelsey, an elementary education major, volunteered in many organizations in high school, and she said she looks forward to becoming involved in more volunteer projects at Southeast.
Three Southeast Missouri State University alumnae have achieved what many young girls dream of becoming. Erin Bauer, Brandi Kilby and Megan LaTempt each cheer at the professional level.
June Seabaugh is someone who proves that a Southeast education, dedication and a love of what you do can literally take you anywhere in the world. She has spent the last two years teaching missionary children, orphans and native Cambodians at the Logos International School in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Dr. John Vallentine ’81 of Cedar Falls, Iowa graduated from Southeast with a bachelor's degree in music education. He is the administrator of the School of Music at the University of Northern Iowa.
Phil Milligan '83, who majored in music education, is assistant principal at Bryan Middle School in the Francis Howell School District in St. Charles, Mo.
For most Southeast students, traveling abroad means participating as a student in a foreign country. Not for Southeast art education major, Brenna Schlader of Columbia, Mo. For Brenna, the role was actually reversed because she was the teacher.
Southeast senior Mallory Simmons of Salem, Ill., recently completed an internship in Washington, D.C., at the Department of State. This was a different experience for this elementary education major who has a concentration in science and would like to earn a master’s degree in school administration someday.
Pam Owens credits the Harry L. Crisp Bootheel Education Center (CBEC) on the Southeast Missouri State-Malden campus with making a big difference in her life.
Chances are if you have been to a basketball or football game at Southeast in the last year, you have seen Cara Bigler on the sideline keeping school spirit high. Like so many other Sundancers have done throughout the years, Cara takes pleasure in pumping up crowds by putting her cheer and dance moves on display.
Steve Nation, an elementary education major at Southeast Missouri State University, recently inspired two different classes in two separate schools to connect through letter writing.
Transferring from college into the “real world” can be an interesting challenge. Searching for the right job with the right fit can be a long process, but Andrew Canter found success quickly as the new business teacher at Farmington High School.
When Kelly Wogtech came to Southeast four years ago, she was undecided on her major. “Choosing a major was one of the biggest challenges I faced at Southeast because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” she said.
Sarah Politowicz, a senior elementary education major, is an extremely involved student. Since coming to Southeast four years ago, Sarah has been a part of 15 student organizations and has held numerous executive positions, including former president of Student Activities Council (S.A.C.) and student facilitator of Emerging Leaders.
Considering a career in education? If so, you might consider following in the footsteps of Amy Daller. Amy, a sophomore, from Hermann, Mo., has always loved working with children. Amy began babysitting when she was in the sixth grade and continues to baby-sit to this day for a summer job. Amy’s obvious love for children has turned into her future career as she majors in early childhood education at Southeast Missouri State University.
As a second-generation Southeast Missouri State University student, Rachel Padgett is making the most of her college experience. A native of Belleville, Ill., and a transfer from the University of Missouri, Rachel is pursuing a degree in secondary education. As an active student at Southeast, Rachel is a member of the Student Government, Gamma Phi Beta, Phi Alpha Theta and Rho Lambda.
All students dream of the day Julie Grueneberg will watch them walk across a stage, whether they realize it or not. As assistant registrar for graduation, Julie is responsible for determining who is eligible for graduation. An advocate for helping students graduate since 1989, Julie has assisted over 20,000 students in her years at Southeast as the assistant registrar for graduation. With so many varied odd jobs involved with her position, Julie’s life is never boring, and she has a knack for getting things done creatively.
Athletics and academics go hand-in-hand for Southeast graduate student Katy Pacelli. Katy, a Columbia, Miss., native, will graduate in the spring with a Master’s in Higher Education Administration. While at Southeast, she has worked as a graduate assistant in the Athletic Advising office.
When Lori Mueller, a graduate student in Southeast Missouri State University’s Higher Education Administration program, began working at Southeast in 1998, she soon realized her desire to build a career in higher education administration. Lori, a St. Louis native, intends to graduate with her master’s in spring 2007.
If you witnessed the Homecoming Parade at Southeast Missouri State University this year, most likely you saw Southeast graduate student and St. Louis, Mo., native, Julie McCausland hard at work. Julie, who received her bachelor’s degree in psychology in May 2004 at Southeast, is currently enrolled in the University’s Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration program.
Life is in sixth gear for Southeast Missouri State University graduate student Erin Webb. Erin, originally from Farmington, Mo., is working a full-time job in St. Louis as the regional admissions counselor for Southeast in the St. Louis and St. Charles, Mo., area in addition to taking classes in Southeast’s Master's in Higher Education Administration program.
Amanda Williams is a woman with a quest for knowledge that she has been working toward for quite some time. A teacher at DAEOC/Headstart in Wyatt, Mo. for over 20 years, Williams has been taking classes through Southeast at the Sikeston Area Higher Education Center (SAHEC) for several years, and has not lost her zeal for education.
He never dreamed he’d ever be getting a school picture taken for the Bernie High School Cotton Boll yearbook some 26 years after donning a blue graduation gown. But Jeff Rodgers is back at his alma mater as a teacher and coach, and his wife Waynetta is just down the hall.
Amanda Summers, an elementary education major, began her college education the summer of 2004. Her hometown is Poplar Bluff and after relocating a few times with her husband, Brent, she’s back in Poplar Bluff. Even though she has been closer to other institutions, her college of choice is Southeast Missouri State University.
Most people can say they have never savored the flavor of durian, a large, spiny fruit found in Malaysia. The fruit is banned on airplanes and in public places because of its horrendous odor, but the flavor is wonderful to the taste buds. Dr. Jean Benton, director of International Programs for the College of Education, had her chance to savor the spiny fruit when she lived in Malaysia for two years as a curriculum consultant for the Ministry of Education.
Mathematics is more than a science for Cheryl McAllister. It is a passion. McAllister has been a faculty member at Southeast since fall 1992 and loves to teach college age students. She currently teaches the required mathematics courses for elementary and secondary education majors, but in the past has taught several different levels of algebra classes along with trigonometry and a first-year seminar called “The Mathematics of Art.”
Julie Ray is not your average early childhood education professor. While her love for children is evident, her interests are varied -- from motorcycles to knitting.
First grade teacher and Southeast alumna Dena Shelton recently collaborated with Dr. Julie Ray, Southeast assistant professor of early childhood education, to publish an article in Young Children. The journal is published by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and focuses on developments in childhood research, theory and practice.
