When you see in a students eyes that click and it makes sense, and theyre excited about something, that makes it all worth it, said Depro.
Depro is a part-time history instructor at Southeast Missouri State University-Sikeston, but his love for teaching began over 50 years ago. He was inspired to pursue an education degree because of a high school teacher who had the rare ability to inspire students to go above and beyond.
Depro graduated from Southeast in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, secondary education, with a major in social studies and received a masters degree in education from the University of Mississippi.
At Southeast I had instructors with Ph.D.s and the classes were small, he said about choosing to attend Southeast for his undergraduate degree. I felt like the education was better.
While at Southeast, Depro was a member of the College Republicans, the Golden Eagles Marching Band, Pi Kappa Alpha and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Whether it was studying or marching to the Southeast fight songs, his time at Southeast prepared him for his future career and life.
I really feel the education I got at Southeast was very practical and the education courses helped me to be a better teacher, said Depro. I was extremely well prepared coming out of Southeast. I was very proud of my degree, and when I went to Ole Miss for my graduate degree, I was never prouder because I had done things and knew things that students who went to far larger universities did not know.
Depro served the Sikeston School District from 1966-2000. Since then, he continues to look for the moments of illumination in his students eyes at Southeasts Sikeston regional campus. He tries to excite and inspire every day, whether its a discussion about affirmative action or John F. Kennedy.
In two weeks, I tried to capture the magic of his administration and why he was such an inspiration to young people, said Depro, who wants his students to truly understand how and why his generation felt the shock of Kennedys assassination. Students today have never gone through identifying with a candidate that excites or motivates them like he did.
Kennedys call to service is another reason why Depro was inspired to become an educator and teach the next generations of young leaders.
He said he hopes his scholarship will inspire young teachers to expand their educational career and to be passionate about education.
Im a very lucky person because Ive been teaching for 50 years and I still get up every morning and Im excited about going to work, he said. Very few people have that feeling. I want Southeast students and graduates to be excited about their profession, enjoy teaching.
Depro has worked with young teachers throughout his career and often hears students say they cannot pursue their masters degree because they cannot afford it.
If I can step up and help them, then I think I should do that, he said. That will be a legacy that lives on for many years in the future, and hopefully many students will benefit from that.
Depro also hopes his gift will inspire other alumni to support the University, whether its monetarily or through service.
There are a lot of teachers who have the ability to do far more than I did, and the question is, if were professionals, then why dont we help our profession? he said. A lot of people think, well its a public institution that gets help from the state, but in this day and age, with the cost of education continuing to rise, they desperately need alumni to help as well.
When awarded, the Bob Depro Endowed Scholarship for Social Studies Education will be a renewable scholarship for students enrolled at Southeast Missouri State University with a minimum 2.0 grade point average and in need of financial assistance.
Depro feels blessed to have the ability to help students be better teachers, and as his own career can attest, Southeast prepares some of the best.
Its a great school and it gives them a great head start in life, he said. I owe everything I got to Southeast — my career, my happiness, my profession right now. If I hadnt gone to Southeast, I wouldnt have any of that. Im just pleased I have the opportunity to give back to the institution.
Depro is a Sikeston City Councilman and has served on the board of directors of the Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation, the Sikeston Public Schools Board of Education from 2000-2014, and the board of trustees for the Sikeston Public Library and as a trustee. He is Sunday school teacher and member of the chancel choir at First United Methodist Church.
Plan Your Support for SEMO
To learn more about planning a gift to the Southeast Missouri University Foundation, contact Dr. Trudy G. Lee, Ed.D. at (573) 651-5935 or (888) 812-3769 or tglee@semo.edu.