Dennis Vinson of Cape Girardeau, a member of the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents and chief executive officer, founder and owner of Signature Packaging and Paper, LLC, in Jackson, Missouri, passed away Sunday, Dec. 1.Vinson was sworn in Sept. 20 as the newest member of Southeasts Board of Regents after being appointed by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson. He replaced Kendra Neely-Martin whose term on the Board expired.Mr. Vinson's passing has been a terrible shock for all of us, and Pam and me, said Dr. Carlos Vargas, president of Southeast. For the past several months, he has served with distinction as a valued member of the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents.Prior to that, he also gave selflessly to the Universitys Missouri Innovation Corporation Board, of which he was a member.Vargas said he first became acquainted with Vinson during a visit to his company, Signature Packaging, in an effort to explore a potential relationship with the University. Some time after that visit, he was appointed to the Board of Regents.Needless to say, I could not have been happier to hear the news of his appointment, he said.During these last few months, I interacted more and more with him, Vargas said. Recently, Pam and I invited him and his wife, Joy, to attend a student performance at the River Campus. I wanted him to have a chance to see the caliber of students that we produce in the performing arts. Mr. Vinson, his wife, and one of his daughters joined us for the event. They clearly enjoyed it.His passing is a true tragedy, not only for his family, but for Southeast Missouri State University, and the communities of Jackson and CapeGirardeau, Vargas continued. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Joy, his children, and his extended family.Funeral arrangements are available here.