Power of Women Scholarship
The 2024 Power of Women Luncheon & Expo was a huge success, but you can still give to support students! Since its beginning, 85 students have received the Power of Women Scholarship because of the generosity of people like you.
The 2024 Power of Women Luncheon & Expo
Whether you are looking to support student scholarships, hear former NASA astronaut Linda Godwin, have a delicious lunch, get offerings from local businesses, or connect with other female leaders, the Power of Women Luncheon & Expo is your solution.
Friday, March 1, 2024
Expo: 10 a.m.
Luncheon: 11:45 a.m.
Tickets: $35
Table: $200/6 tickets + 2 Student Hosts
Keynote Speaker: Linda Godwin
Dr. Godwin received a B.S. degree in mathematics and physics from Southeast Missouri State University, and a M.S. and Ph.D. in physics from the University of Missouri where her research was in low temperature condensed matter physics.
Dr. Godwin joined the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, in 1980, initially supporting the integration and operation of science missions for the early Space Shuttle Program. She was selected as an astronaut candidate in 1985.
A veteran of four space shuttle flights, Dr. Godwin has logged over 915 hours (over 38 days) in space. She was a crewmember of STS-37 which deployed the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory; STS-59, an Earth science mission; STS-76, a docking mission to the Russian Space Station MIR; and STS-108, a crew exchange and supply mission to the International Space Station. She participated in spacewalks external to two space stations – MIR and ISS.
Dr. Godwin’s other assignments during her astronaut career included serving as deputy chief of the Astronaut Office and as acting deputy director of the Flight Crew Operations Directorate. She also served as a flight crew representative during the development of the future NASA Exploration Program before she retired from NASA in August 2010.
Following her NASA career, Dr. Godwin was a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Missouri, in Columbia, Missouri for eight years where she taught physics and astronomy classes. She is currently an emeritus professor of the department and still serves in an adjunct capacity.
Presenting Sponsors
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Celebrate the Power of Women Luncheon and Expo
Join Us!
The event is Friday, March 1 at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. The Expo is at 10 a.m. and the Luncheon begins at 11:45 a.m. Individual tickets are $35 each. Table packages are $200 and include six luncheon tickets and two student ambassadors as table hosts. Expo packages are $500 and includes an expo booth and two luncheon tickets.
About the Power of Women
The Power of Women program for Southeast students began in 2012 and is designed to encourage women – Southeast alumni, businesswomen, and community members throughout the region – to support Southeast Missouri State University through service and philanthropy.
Through this program, the University Foundation hopes to connect female students at Southeast with financial resources to fund their education as well as opportunities to learn through mentorships, internships, and service projects in the region. The annual event brings together extraordinary women to celebrate and empower one another and to enhance the future of their next generation of colleagues. A portion of proceeds from the event is awarded as scholarships.
The Power of Women Scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate a passion for a life of service, are attending Southeast full time, and have completed at least 30 credit hours with a minimum 2.75 grade point average. Each recipient submits an application demonstrating significant academic achievement, involvement at the University and commitment to volunteerism and community service. The Power of Women Scholarship Committee selects the recipients based on these factors as well as their future aspirations for success in their career and personal life.
The Power of Women Scholarship was first awarded in the fall of 2013 and endowed in the spring of 2014. Since its inception, 85 students have received the Power of Women Scholarship.
Power of Women Scholarship Committee
The Power of Women Scholarship Committee consists of Southeast Missouri State staff, Southeast alums and community businesswomen who hold a valued interest in seeing our current female students succeed.
Every spring, the Committee reviews dozens of applications and ultimately chooses ten recipients, based on demonstration of significant academic achievement, involvement at the University and commitment to volunteerism and community service, as well as future aspirations for success in their career and personal life.
University Committee Members
- Michele Irby, Director of Campus Life and Event Services
- Brad Koester, Major Gift Officer
- Amanda Lincoln, Assistant Vice President-University Advancement
- Nora Bouzihay, Assistant to the President-Equity Initiatives
- External Committee Members
- Jayne Schrader
- Marsha Haskell
Scholarship Recipient
"Scholarships are the reason I am able to study and work towards my dreams. As a student from a single-parent household, the price of college was something I was concerned about, and scholarships like the Power of Women are the reason I am able to be here."
Ciara Southard
The generosity to give. The will to do.
Support Southeast
When it comes to supporting our fellow Redhawks, we do whatever it takes. Help advance the causes and mission of Southeast Missouri State University by supporting it with a gift.
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