College of Liberal Arts Spotlights
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Tyson Wunderlich
Curiosity, combined with passion and a disciplined work ethic, is why Tyson Wunderlich has succeeded in his field. Of course, a strong background always helps. He said he has been passionate about music his whole life.
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Theatre and Dance Students Seize Professional Opportunities
Most people are aware that there’s more to a theatre performance than what is on the stage, but they might not be aware of the organized chaos behind the curtain. The entire production can be compared to a piece of embroidery: beautiful and organized in presentation, abstract and (seemingly) disorganized in preparation. A few students of Southeast Missouri State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance first learned this during their experiences on campus, but now they are discovering its truth as professionals.
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Cape Native Takes Southeast Experience to Both Coasts
Jason LeGrand, a 1997 Graduate of Southeast says, “I had great mentors among the University faculty and staff, including Jay Goff, Juan Crites, Loren Rullman, Debbie Fulton, Joe Low and Ferrell Ervin. Each affected my experience and outlook, and contributed to my professional career choice and success.”
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Dr. James Dufek
When asked what he would like students to know about him, Dr. James Dufek, professor of Mass Communication, said, “I love my wife and I love my children.” He also gave this advice, “Never underestimate the value of hard work.” These two quotes say a lot about a hard-working and family-oriented man.
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Larry Speight
As the Crisp Bootheel Education Center (CBEC) of Southeast Missouri State University at Malden celebrates 20 years of existence this year, it is easy to see the positive impact it has had on the area. One area educator has been affiliated with the CBEC for most of those 20 years. This fact makes Larry Speight, full-time English instructor for Southeast, very proud.
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Theatre Student Interns at Opera House
Summer in the high desert as the sun begins to set behind the Sangre de Cristo mountains, atmosphere cooling as the color fades from bright yellow to orange to gold to red, the audience applauds the entrance of the conductor, he spreads his arms and then a…one…a two…a three…the orchestra begins the perennial favorite “Carmen”. This was the scene in the summer of 2006 at the John Crosby Opera house, an outdoor amphitheater on the outskirts of Santa Fe, N.M., where Stephen Fister, a Southeast Missouri State University performing arts senior, was behind the scenes as a scenic artist apprentice.
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Tim Weddle
Tim Weddle, alumnus of Southeast Missouri State University, didn’t exactly audition for a chair in a highly-esteemed orchestra. But he saw an opportunity and chose not to ignore it. As a result, he’s been accepted as an associate member of the Chicago Civic Orchestra and has been invited to audition for a substitute position in the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
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Graphic Design Major Interns with Creative Firm
Senior graphic design major Zachary Penrod of St. Charles, Mo., spent a summer as an intern with the Touchwood Creative firm in downtown St. Louis. The firm handles large presentation projections for companies' employee conferences. They use multiple media forms such as animation and video to achieve this end.
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Bob Towner
Father Bob Towner was riding in a dilapidated truck in the middle of nowhere, a mountainous region still lush with vegetation despite the large-scale deforestation taking place throughout the country. The truck had been left behind by American forces after World War II. A dozen other people were crowded in next to him, as well as another dozen sitting on top. They were moving away from their missionary zone, located in one of the poorest, most primitive parts of the Philippines.
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Dr. Kenneth Stilson
Dr. Kenneth Stilson, professor and chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, continues to challenge the belief that “those who can’t do, teach.” His award-winning play, 'Fire Lily', was picked up by an independent film company with production beginning this summer. His professional and artistic success demonstrates his philosophy: “Only those who can do should teach.”
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Laura Haug
“I never really know what to expect when I get up in the morning, which is kind of fun for me,” says Southeast alumna Laura Haug. “I never know where the day will take me or who I will get to meet.” Originally from Bonne Terre, Mo., she is currently living in Burbank, Calif., and working in Hollywood as the executive assistant to the vice president of a post production facility.
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Music Performance Major Studies in Germany
Southeast senior Majhon Phillips is a very busy student. Aside from her double major in music performance and German, she also enjoys writing, traveling and dancing in her spare time.
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Southeast Student Wins Prestigious Fellowship
Despite the number of life-changing events coming up for Kristi Murray, she continues to aspire. She won the prestigious Newhouse Award from Binghamton University for the best-submitted portfolio from an incoming student for poetry.
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Jeff Lovett
Proper lighting, sound equipment and video work are all fundamental to a fine arts performance. That’s why Jeff Lovett, Southeast Missouri State University’s new technical director for the Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts, is essential to every department located at River Campus.
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Music Major Spends Summer in Europe
Southeast senior Justin Moore of Cape Girardeau, Mo., is a busy man with big plans. He is currently taking a “break” from his triple major in vocal music performance, vocal music education, and German to study abroad for the summer at the Friedrich-Schiller Universitaet in Jena, Germany, and privately with a vocal instructor who received her degrees from two of the most prestigious Conservatories of Music in Germany.
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Residence Life Encourages Community Advisor
From timid freshman to expert community advisor, Matthew Kearney has had eye-opening experiences living in the Southeast residence hall community. He came to Southeast three years ago from Carbondale, Ill., and was shocked on move-in day.
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Student Assists with Painting of Downtown Mural
Southeast senior Amanda Thornberry always has had a passion for art, and never had a question about the major she would choose. A graphic arts major from Clarkton, Mo., Amanda recently received the chance to show just how talented she is when she was selected to help paint the magnificent downtown mural in historic Cape Girardeau, and assist a prominent photography studio as part of an internship.
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Historic Preservation Major Keeps Active in Community
Robyn Mainor has always surrounded herself with history. As a child, she traveled the United States with her family to almost every state, visiting numerous museums and other historic sites, and her passion for history and culture have taken her to her perfect major at Southeast. A historic preservation major from Cape Girardeau, Robyn is a member of several committees both inside and outside of the University. Her interests also prompted her to get a minor in art history as well.
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McNair Program Helps Student to Achieve Goals
Kenndis Joy is an active, involved undergraduate at Southeast who embodies the idea of the well-rounded, liberal arts student. She comes from a family of seven in Jennings, Mo., and will be among the first generation in her family to receive a college degree.
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Chicago Radio Major Lives Fast and Furious
Life is fast and furious for Southeast student and Chicago, Ill., native, Shnithia (Pepper) Newton. Shnithia, known best as “Pepper” by her close friends and co-workers, is currently completing a 180-hour internship for three ClearChannel radio stations in Chicago as part of her degree requirements.
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Kennett Native is First Rowdy the Redhawk
Some people might say Brooke Privett, who is pursuing a bachelor of music in instrumental performance for the trumpet, has a biased opinion of Southeast Missouri State University. Brooke’s father was on the Board of Regents for nine years and her brother is a Southeast graduate. During her families’ involvement around campus, she said she had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people and fell in love with the beauty of Southeast. Because of this, attending Southeast was an obvious decision.
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Video Production Major is Outstanding Student Leader
When Matt Hickey started attending Southeast, he didn’t waste any time getting involved on campus. His freshman year, Matt was recognized with the Student Life and Leadership Award for Outstanding Leadership for a first-year student. Now a junior, Matt is an integral part of the Southeast student body. He serves as the president for Student Activities Council and is a representative on Student Government. In addition, Matt is a Presidential Ambassador, a member of Rowdy Crowd and a Community Advisor in Towers North.
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Christopher Goeke
Christopher Goeke, chair of the Department of Music, has been involved in music for as long as he can remember.
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Lindsey Baker
Southeast graduate Lindsey Baker drew her career inspiration from an unlikely place – her family’s quilting heritage.
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Emily Wilson
Recent Southeast theatre graduate Emily Wilson is packing her bags for New York City and a professional internship with the city’s world-renowned Juilliard School of the arts.
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Jeff and Waynetta Rodgers
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.
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Patrick Carter
If you watch television on a regular basis, chances are you have seen the work of Southeast alumni Patrick Carter. Carter, originally from Paducah, Ky., is the operations manager at Creative Edge, Inc., a full-service marketing and video production company in Jackson, Mo.
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Tom McCune
“My favorite aspect of the job is working with future art teachers,” Tom said. “It is great to experience their enthusiasm and excitement about becoming a teacher, as well as helping them to prepare for a very rewarding career.”
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Julie McCausland
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.
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Erin Webb
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.
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Jeannine Cinco
Southeast Missouri State University alumna Jeannine Cinco began life after college half-way across the world. Jeannine, a native of St. Charles, Mo., graduated in December 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in German and recreation. After graduation, she became the athletic director for the U.S. Naval Base in Juffair, Bahrain.
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Junior DeLay
Junior DeLay, a political science instructor at the Sikeston Area Higher Education Center (SAHEC), brings real world experience to the classroom. DeLay is currently serving his 23rd year as the Mississippi County Clerk while teaching an introductory political science course at SAHEC.
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Dr. Leslee Pollina
Dr. Leslee Pollina has taught psychology to Southeast students for fourteen years. But Pollina has an entirely different set of students besides those in her psychology classes. They don’t turn in papers, tests, or read books on Sigmond Freud and Carl Rogers. Instead, these students focus on sitting, staying, and rolling over. They have four legs, loud barks and wet noses.
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Alissa Murphy
Southeast alumna, Alissa Murphy, says her dream job is to one day work in marketing and promotions for the St. Louis Cardinals. Alissa is well on her way to realizing this dream with her new job as the event coordinator for the Oakley-Lindsay Civic Center in Quincy, Ill.
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Dr. Dale Haskell
“I think that if you can’t find a way to have fun doing what you do, whether it’s studying, your major, your employment, you need to stop doing whatever that is and find something that will be fun for you. Nobody said you had to settle for something that bores you.”
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Dr. Mitchel Gerber
“On your mark…get set…GO!” The air gun explodes, the crowd starts to cheer and hundreds of runners set foot on the long stretch of pavement that will eventually take them to the finish line. This is how Dr. Mitchel Gerber likes to spend his Saturday mornings.
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Dr. Susan Swartwout
Dr. Susan Swartwout is a person who thrives on change, and she’s made her fair share of changes since arriving at Southeast in 1996.
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Dr. Russell Renka
If you ever search for your favorite presidential inaugural speech or wonder which baseball games he attended, you should visit political science professor Russell Renka’s Web site. His zeal for presidents is unmatched, and his site provides ample evidence with its endless supply of links to presidential information.
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Kristine Gruver
Taking full advantage of internship opportunities on campus, Kristine Gruver is well prepared for her upcoming career in literary communication. She spent last year interning with University Press, where her tasks included copyediting manuscripts, designing flyers and working on book promotions.
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Maggie Eisenhart
Maggie Eisenhart was a Southeast cheerleader for four years, and even now, her enthusiasm for the University bubbles over when she recalls her experiences. A 1995 Southeast graduate, Maggie is currently a sales representative for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. She says her studies at Southeast prepared her well.
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Chris Schoessel (a.k.a. Chris Blair)
In September 2003, Chris Schoessel quit his job as a financial planner, sold his house in St. Louis, packed his bags and officially moved to Nashville, Tenn. This Southeast graduate is well on the way to realizing his dream of becoming a successful country-music performer.
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Abbie Crites-Leoni
If you read the local papers or watch the evening news, you most likely know Abbie Crites-Leoni has made significant strides in dismantling drug trafficking in Southeast Missouri. As the Assistant U. S. Attorney, this former Wheatland, Wyo., resident represents the United States in drug trafficking cases in the Eastern District of Missouri.
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Alex Fees
The late nights working at The Capaha Arrow to get breaking news out to Southeast students prepared Alex Fees for his career in broadcast journalism. Originally from Union, Mo., Alex has spent the past six years as a free-lance television reporter and producer. Alex is a regular contributor at KSDK, Newschannel 5, the NBC affiliate station in St. Louis.
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Professor Fred Jones
An alumnus of Southeast, Fred Jones decided the perfect job was right at home, as an assistant professor in the Department of Communication. A film maker from Jackson, Mo., Jones got his start with a Bachelor of Arts in English degree at Southeast before studying film at the University of Utah.
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Dr. Leon Book
Dr. Leon Book, director of Southeast’s First-Year Experience program and professor of foreign languages and middle and secondary education, is definitely a believer in living a well-rounded and varied lifestyle, much like the well-rounded education of the University Studies program that he introduces to first-year students.
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Dr. Bonnie Stepenoff
Dr. Bonnie Stepenoff, professor of history at Southeast, strives to inspire a passionate quest for the truth and an appreciation for the physical remnants of history in her students. In addition to encouraging her students in such idyllic pursuits, she also inspires them to break into song.
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Professor Barry Bernhardt
Barry Bernhardt, director of University Bands, is a man with a passion for teaching and making great music. As conductor of the Golden Eagles Marching Band, the Southeast Show Band, and the Southeast Symphonic Wind Ensemble, he has many opportunities to shape the minds and influence the talents of young, budding musicians at Southeast.
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Scott Huegerich
St. Louis Post-Dispatch review of a documentary on the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis touted the film as “both an archival and technical wonder, ready for worldwide consumption . . . this film is one of the greatest gifts to St. Louis since the Gateway Arch.”
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Professor Sarah Riley
During the summer months, Professor of Art Sarah Riley and a group of students regularly journey abroad to paint. For a few years she led them to Paris. The past two years, she and Dr. Laura MacCaskey, have led the students to Venice, where they’ve set up with watercolors and painted people, buildings, water and boats — some abstract work, some architecture.
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Dr. Gabriele Eckart
Sprechen sie Deutsches? Habla español? Foreign language professor Gabriele Eckart can do both. Dr. Eckart, who is a native of Germany, is fascinated by languages and the people who use them.
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Jennifer Enke
Spending time in both the Sports Information and Admissions offices on campus, Southeast alumna Jennifer Enke has leveraged the experiences to find a fulfilling public relations career. Serving as a special events and direct mail manager for Boys & Girls Town of Missouri, she still relies upon the skills learned during her collegiate days.
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Kim Holshouser Link
Managing the public relations, Web communications and corporate giving for Arch Coal, Kim Link never has a “typical day.” The Southeast graduate’s time can be spent corresponding with news reporters and investors, or she might be assisting the chief executive officer in developing an internal presentation for the company’s 3,600 employees. Each day is different.
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Mary Alice Ryan
Nationally known for her expertise and innovation in senior housing and services, Southeast alumna Mary Alice Ryan serves as the President/CEO of St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors. Her days are spent strategically positioning the company’s entities for the future, fund raising, coordinating public relations and building a successful team of people who love what they do.
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Professor Ron Clayton
Art Professor Ron Clayton “practices what he teaches.” Not only does he teach at the University, he also is a professional artist who has had gallery shows in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Salt Lake City and Columbus, Ohio.
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Dr. Glen Williams
Everyone has heard the familiar adage “the pen is mightier than the sword.” Southeast communication professor Glen Williams lives by this mantra. Williams is fascinated by the impact of the spoken and written word on every aspect of our society.
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Dr. David Reinheimer
Known around campus for his chromed-out purple pickup truck, Dr. David Reinheimer is a confessed ‘80s hair metal fan who even appears in a music video by Tesla. But there's more to this professor than meets the eye... find out more in this short online introduction.
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