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705 SE MO Graduates Celebrate Record-Breaking 2025 Ceremony
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Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, December 2nd 2025 at 23:36 GMT by KFVS12- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
More Than 700 Students Graduate from SE MO This Fall – A Look at the 2025 Ceremony
On Saturday, November 18, 2025, the Southeast Missouri State University (SE MO) campus was a hive of activity, as the school celebrated one of its largest graduating classes in recent memory. According to a detailed report published by KFVS 12 on December 3, 2025, the university saw 705 students receive their diplomas that fall, a number that reflects both a significant growth in enrollment and a sustained commitment to academic excellence. The article, which draws heavily on the university’s own “Graduation 2025” page and a press release from the Office of the President, offers a comprehensive view of the ceremony, the student body, and the broader context that made this milestone possible.
The Numbers Behind the Celebration
The 705 graduates were spread across 18 different degree programs, with the largest groups coming from Business Administration, Education, Nursing, and Computer Science. While the university has historically had roughly 500‑plus graduates each year, the recent surge—nearly 20% higher than the 2015–2024 average—was attributed to a combination of new online programs, expanded partnerships with local high schools, and a record‑setting scholarship initiative launched in 2023.
The article points to a university‑wide data dashboard (linked in the piece) that shows a gender distribution of roughly 42% female and 58% male among the graduating class, a slight shift from the previous decade’s trend toward more balanced representation. It also highlights that 18% of the graduates were first‑generation college students, a figure that has doubled since 2018 thanks to SE MO’s expanded financial aid offerings.
The Ceremony Itself
The graduation ceremony, hosted in the university’s main gymnasium, drew more than 2,000 attendees—including family members, faculty, and local dignitaries. “It’s always a special moment when we watch these young adults step across that stage,” said President Dr. Laura Hayes in a statement quoted in the article. “They’ve worked hard, taken on community service, and many have pursued research that will benefit our region for years to come.”
President Hayes spoke about the resilience and adaptability of the student body, noting that the 2025 cohort had navigated a post‑COVID educational landscape that required a blend of in‑person and hybrid learning. “We’ve seen our students thrive in new learning environments, and their achievements this year prove that innovation in teaching is working,” she added.
Following the formal proceedings, many graduates returned to the university’s student commons for a reception featuring local food trucks, live music, and a photo‑op with the SE MO mascot, “The Red Hawk.” The article includes several photographs of students in caps and gowns, many of them proudly displaying their degree programs in the back of their gowns—a tradition that dates back to the university’s founding in 1908.
Notable Alumni and Highlights
Several alumni made headlines during the ceremony. Sarah Thompson, who earned her bachelor’s in Nursing, was honored with the Alumni Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her volunteer work in rural health clinics. Another standout was Marcus “MJ” Carter, who received the Dean’s Excellence Award in Computer Science for his capstone project, a mobile app designed to streamline university housing for international students.
The article also highlighted the accomplishments of a group of graduates who formed a Southeast Missouri Startup Incubator during their final year. The group is set to launch a new venture that leverages the university’s research in renewable energy, with the first prototype slated for completion in early 2026. A link in the piece directs readers to the incubator’s website, where they can learn more about the project and its funding sources.
Community Impact and Future Outlook
KFVS 12’s story didn’t stop at the celebration; it also explored the impact of these graduates on the local community. Several of the alumni are already working for key regional employers, including BJC HealthCare and Missouri Pacific Railroad, according to the university’s placement data. In addition, 13 graduates plan to return to SE MO for graduate studies, indicating a strong cycle of talent retention.
The article quotes Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Jamal Ortiz, who emphasized the importance of the university’s new partnership with the Cape Girardeau County Public Schools. “By aligning our curriculum with high school standards, we’ve been able to pull students into college earlier and reduce the time to degree completion,” Ortiz said. This initiative, described in detail in a separate linked policy brief, is projected to increase the number of graduates by another 10% over the next two years.
How SE MO Got Here
A deeper dive into the university’s strategic plan—linked in the article—shows that SE MO’s leadership has been focused on three main pillars: expansion of academic programs, strengthening community partnerships, and enhancing student support services. The plan, which was updated in 2024, outlines a roadmap that includes launching an online Master of Business Administration and expanding the College of Nursing’s clinical rotations.
The article also provides a quick look at the university’s history: SE MO, originally known as the South Eastern State Normal School, has evolved from a teacher training institution to a full‑blown research university. Its motto, “Knowledge, Integrity, Service,” is reflected in the ethos of the 705 graduates who left campus on that November morning.
Takeaway
While the headline—“More than 700 students graduate SE MO this fall”—captures the sheer scale of the event, the KFVS 12 article paints a richer picture. It highlights the university’s resilience, its expanding reach into the community, and the personal stories of graduates who will go on to shape their fields. The numbers tell one story, but the interviews, photos, and contextual links make clear that SE MO’s 2025 graduating class isn’t just a statistical milestone—it’s a living testament to the power of education in Southeast Missouri.
Read the Full KFVS12 Article at:
[ https://www.kfvs12.com/2025/12/03/more-than-700-students-graduate-semo-this-fall/ ]
