Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor
Cape Girardeau, Missouri - Jessica Loflin, valedictorian of the Dexter class of 2013 said her first few days as a college student at Southeast Missouri State University have been pretty exciting.
“I have been to several Opening Week events and plan to join several clubs on campus this week,” she said. “ I was really nervous the first day being on campus without knowing anyone, but I have already ran into two of my classmates, Damian Glasener and Austin Richardson and another Dexter graduate, Shelby Lintz.” Shelby volunteered at the SEMO Back to School Picnic held in the ShowMe Center.
Loflin is among the class of new freshmen who began their college career when fall 2013 classes got under way at Southeast on Monday of this week. “Total Southeast enrollment stands at 11,367 today, up 2.1 percent from this time last year. Today’s report makes this the 19th consecutive year of steady enrollment growth at the University.”
Dr. Bruce Skinner, assistant vice president for Student Success and director of the Office of Residence Life, said 2,934 students are living in campus residence halls this fall.
Loflin is attending Southeast because it was close to home and has a very well known pre-veterinary medicine program. She must complete this coursework before she is able to apply directly to the University of Missouri Veterinary Teaching College in Columbia, Missouri. She has also been accepted to the Jane Stephens Honors Program and is currently taking two Honors courses.
She says she is following in the footsteps of her mother, Dee Loflin and her grandfather, Dan Gier, who are both Southeast alumni. “Everyone one on campus is so nice and helpful and there is so much Redhawk spirit here! I think I am going to have lots of fun here at Southeast!”
“Dr. Debbie Below, vice president for enrollment management and student success and dean of students, agrees, citing Southeast’s recent selection to participate in the State of Missouri’s Completion Academy next month in St. Louis. The Academy promotes access to higher education at an affordable cost while directing students on a path to graduate in the most efficient manner possible.”
“This demonstrates the University’s commitment to providing access to a high quality, affordable college education,” she said. “By the year 2035, 60 percent or more of new jobs created will require a college education,” Below said. “A campus-wide effort is in place to support new students – to help them realize success in their first year – to find the career path that is right for them – and to graduate.
“This is a special University, and the University’s faculty and staff are committed to offering an educational environment where every student can succeed,” Below said. “The reason we are here is to help these undergraduate students graduate from college and enter the career they are striving towards.”
“I am having a great time,” according to Austin Richardson, Dexter class of 2013, “I have already been swimming several times and living in Myers Hall is pretty cool.”
The Dexter community wishes all Southeast Missouri State University students well and keep us up-to-date on your accomplishments.
