Written by

Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Cape Girardeau, Missouri – Two local residents and 2013 graduates of Dexter High School were initiated into the National Honor Society of Phi Eta Sigma, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Jessica Loflin and Austin Richardson were initiated into the Southeast Missouri State University chapter.

Phi Eta Sigma is a national scholastic honor society for first-year college students.  Phi Eta Sigma was founded on March 22, 1923 at the University of Illinois.  There are now over 365 chapters throughout the United States with more than 975,000 inducted members.  The Southeast Missouri State University chapter was founded in 1984.

The goal of Phi Eta Sigma is to encourage and reward high scholastic attainment among first-year students in institutions of higher learning.  The students honored today ranked in the top 20% of their class during their first semester or year at Southeast Missouri State University.

Jessica Loflin is majoring in Animal Science with emphasis in Pre-Veterinary Medicine.  Once she obtains her Bachelor of Science degree at SEMO she will then apply to the Veterinary Teaching College on the University of Missouri – Columbia campus.  She completed her first year of college with a GPA of 4.0 and enters her second year of college with enough credits to be recognized as a junior.

Austin Richardson is majoring in Athletic Training with emphasis in Pre-Physical Therapy.  Once he obtains his Bachelor of Science degree at SEMO he will then attend the University of Missouri – Columbia campus to complete his Physical Therapy degree.  He finished the year with a 3.7 GPA.

Congratulations Austin and Jessica!  The Dexter community is proud of you and your accomplishments!