Making Memories
Continue to main contentFor decades, students have embarked on their Southeast journey at the Ice Cream Pig Out, making memories as their next chapter unfolds. They trek Cardiac Hill, visit the iconic Gum Tree, leave it all on the intramural field, sled Academic Terrace and chalk their name in the dome. They revel in S-E-M-O chants, join in the alma mater, bond with forever friends and move their commencement tassel.
Seasons come and go, and with them, four institutional name changes dot the history books. For 150 years, decades of go-getters have descended on SEMO, eager to seize new challenges. No matter the era, the memories made here -- the Welcome Back Picnic, Late Night Breakfast, Homecoming and Family Weekend -- remain nostalgic reminders of this special place called Southeast Missouri State University.
Southeast Seals
The institution has enjoyed four names since its founding: Southeast Missouri Normal School (1873), Southeast Missouri State Teachers’ College (1919), Southeast Missouri State College (1946) and Southeast Missouri State University (1972).
“ I graduated from high school in May and started college in June. They found a place for me to live on Bellevue Street with a nice couple, and I worked for my room and board. I walked to school every day and took my lunch. Back then, there were only a handful of buildings at Southeast. There were only about 500 people on the entire campus, and I knew just about every one of them. I loved the library. It was one of my favorite places. I had such a good time at Southeast. I have lots of wonderful memories of eating lunch with my friends every day and having fun. ”
Memories, Past and Present
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Students dressed in swimwear participate in an opening week activity; a slip-n-slide down a hill. -
A pair of young women from the 1980s are celebrating Rush Week.
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One of the best traditions Southeast students carry on from year to year is sledding down the hill at Terraces.
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Homecoming is an event where many current students and many alumni celebrate their friendships and memories at Southeast.
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Graduation is a celebration of your accomplishments. It's a memory our alumni should be proud of.
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Our university faculty and staff love to be part of our students' memories. University President Dr. Carlos Vargas and his wife Pam Vargas serve ice cream to students at the opening week Ice Cream Pigout.
“ There were a lot of mixers, plays, dances, every weekend. A lot of my friends met their husbands at all the social events. There were a lot more of us girls on campus than there were the young men, although there were a few. Enough to keep my dance card full.” Her daughter, Marcia Tanis, also a Southeast graduate, said the University “is a tradition in our family. Things may change over the years, but Southeast stays with us. ”