Sponsored in a collaborative effort by the Southeast Missouri University Foundation, Southeasts Department of Athletics and Southeast Student Government, the Power of Women luncheon connects female students with opportunities, women mentors and resources in the community.

This years event is also sponsored by many area businesses, including Thrivent Financial–Linda Bauwens, Edward Jones, Bold Marketing, Fox 23 KBSI Cape Girardeau, Saint Francis Medical Center and the Missouri Department of Conservation.

An expo, featuring local businesses, community groups and various campus organizations, will be held from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., followed by a luncheon. Community members and Southeast students are invited to attend.

Dr. Maureen Clancy-May, a 1979 Southeast graduate, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and retired superintendent of Bayless School District, will serve as the keynote speaker with an inspiring message about how she applied her brilliance to empower, transform and connect with generations.

Clancy-May graduated from Southeast with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in exceptional child. While on campus she was affiliated with the Student Government Association, Homecoming Steering Committee and Student Activities Committee. In 2011, she received an Alumni Merit Award, and in 2003 she was honored with the Southeast Salutes Award. She has been an active member of the St. Louis chapter of the Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Association.

Clancy-May also holds a Master of Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and a doctoral degree in educational administration from Saint Louis University.

She has led a stellar career in the educational field for more than 35 years. She taught from 1979-2002 in the Special School District, and then transitioned to principal for one year at Ronald E. McNair High School in University City, and eventually climbed her way to superintendent via Riverview Gardens School District, where we was an assistant superintendent.

She is currently employed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a state supervisor in the St. Louis metropolitan region, and is a member of the Southeast Missouri University Foundation Board of Directors and the Universitys College of Education Advisory Board.

Dr. Maureen Clancy-May

Ive always believed as a leader the best legacy I can leave is not about me but about the people who are committed to the plan and goal of our school or district, said Clancy-May. I dont feel successful, but rather a person who just enjoyed working hard; working hard in my field in education, working hard for the children and families that we served, and helping to grow and develop the teachers and people in our school systems. I feel if I was successful at anything it really was the ability to help foster a mission for the schools, districts and people I served and empowering others around me to be a part of that.

During the luncheon, Vicki Boren, president of the Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Association, will present Power of Women Scholarship awards to Southeast students Tracie Beard of Iuka, Illinois; Destiny Brooks of Perryville, Missouri; Noel Burke of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Jo Cougill of Jackson, Missouri; Amanda Edgar of Portageville, Missouri; Ashley Gettinger of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri; Riley Hayes of Jefferson City, Missouri; Laura Kaimann of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Lauren Potje of Shiloh, Illinois; Karen Souza Muramatsu of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and Abigail Sowash, of Highland, Illinois.

The renewable scholarship is awarded to full-time students enrolled at Southeast who have completed at least 30 hours with a minimum 2.75 grade point average. First preference is given to female students who demonstrate a passion for a life of service as demonstrated through submission of a personal essay and reference letter from a non-family member.

The Power of Women program for Southeast students began in 2012 and is designed to encourage women Southeast alumni, business women and community members throughout the region to support Southeast Missouri State University through service and philanthropy. Through this program, the University Foundation hopes to connect female students at Southeast with financial resources to fund their education as well as opportunities to learn through mentorships, internships and service projects in the region. The Power of Women Scholarship was first awarded in the fall of 2013 and endowed in the spring of 2014.

This event is such an amazing opportunity to bring together women from all walks of life, said Amanda Lincoln, Power of Women committee member and director of development for the Southeast Missouri University Foundation. The partnership between the community and campus truly enhances the future of our female professionals. Funding scholarships and supporting our female students provides growth and opportunities beyond their campus experiences.

Tickets for the luncheon are $30 per person or $180 for a table of six (table includes sponsoring two student hosts to attend the luncheon). The luncheon is free for Southeast students who may pick up a ticket in the Campus Life & Event Services Office in the University Center Room 414. Proceeds will benefit scholarships for female students at Southeast.

Reservations must be made by Wednesday, March 23 by calling (573) 651-2259 or registering online at http://www.semo.edu/foundation/power-of-women.html.