SEMO Board of Governors Approves Capital Renewal Project, Vandiver Award

"The University maintains a significant number of academic, residential, student support, and campus facilities that require ongoing investment to preserve institutional assets, improve student experience, and address deferred maintenance needs," said SEMO President Dr. Brad Hodson. "And, it's time to invest in them."

Hodson said the program will fund projects that improve instructional and student­facing spaces, protect existing facilities, address infrastructure deficiencies, and support athletics facility needs. Projects include:

• Scully Hall Roof Replacement
• Towers East Elevator Replacement
• Sikeston Regional Campus HVAC Replacement & Skylight Repair
• Portion of Stadium Phase 2 Project
• University Center Interior Enhancements
• Magill Hall Laboratory Fume Hood Replacements

"SEMO has a beautiful campus," said Hodson, "but it is aging. This program is aligned with the priorities defined in our new Fearlessly Forward strategic plan to magnify SEMO's impact and strengthen campus infrastructure for our students."

Enrollment Update
The Board received an enrollment update for the fall 2026 class from Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success Dr. Stephen Schultheis. Schultheis reported overall enrollment decreased 4.5% this fall but that gains were made in key areas. Dual Enrollment/Early College increased 2.5% and online enrollment increased 3.5%. Schultheis said the University hit its enrollment goal for undergraduate retention and exceeded the graduate student retention goal by 3.5%.

"I'm encourage by the ground we are gaining," said Schultheis. "We've implemented many new strategies to build on what's working, including enhanced scholarship programs, partnership agreements, and strengthening our visit experience."

Vandiver Show Me State Award
The Board also approved the conferral of the Vandiver Show Me State Award to State Senator Brian Williams for his leadership and commitment to his community, the University, and the state of Missouri.

"Senator Williams' history of service exemplifies the type of significant contributions the Vandiver Award was created to recognize," said SEMO President Brad Hodson. "We are proud of his political and career success, but more importantly we're proud of his commitment to making Missouri a better place to live, work, and study."

A native of Missouri, Senator Williams has served with distinction in the Missouri Senate since 2018. At the time of his election, Senator Williams became the first Black male to serve in the Missouri Senate in two decades. From 2020-2022, he served as the Assistant Minority Floor Leader from 2020-2022 and is currently the Minority Caucus Whip in the Missouri Senate.

Prior to the Senate, Senator Williams served as Congressional staffer where he worked on major initiatives including helping oversee Missouri's rollout of the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, and he played a critical role in helping land the $1.75 billion new headquarters for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in North St. Louis City.

In the Missouri Senate, Senator Williams has championed legislation on several topics, addressing such issues as healthcare, racial profiling and police misconduct, human trafficking, behavioral health, and many other causes. He has also helped secure more than $190 million for various projects and initiatives throughout St. Louis County, Missouri.

Senator Williams was the first in his family to graduate college, earning degrees from Southeast Missouri State University and Washington University in St. Louis. In 2024, he served as the keynote speaker for SEMO's Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Dinner. Senator Wiliams is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He currently serves as the executive director of the Construction Career Development initiative, building relationships between schools and contractors.

The Vandiver Show Me State Award was created in 1997 to recognize outstanding contributions to Southeast Missouri State University, the region, and the state either by individuals or corporate entities. The Vandiver Award is named after the fifth president of the University (1893-1897), Willard Duncan Vandiver, who left his position to become Congressman from Missouri's then-14th District. History suggests that it was Congressman Vandiver who gave Missouri its "Show Me State" nickname. In a speech in Philadelphia in 1899, Vandiver declared, "I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats; and frothy eloquence neither convinces me nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me." The nickname has been a part of the Missouri landscape for over a century.

Since its founding, only six recipients have been honored with the Vandiver Show Me State Award: Bootheel Education Center Advisory Council (1997), Judith R. Wilferth (1997), B.W. Bill Harrison (1998), Jay B. Knudtson (2006), Cape West Rotary Club (2012), and U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (2022).

Senator Williams will receive the Vandiver Show Me State Award during SEMO's fall commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 19 at the Show Me Center.

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