Ten Southeast Missouri State University students were honored with scholarships during Southeasts Power of Women Digital Summit on April 28.

Sydney Dittlinger

Sydney Dittlinger of Benton, Missouri, is a junior pursing a major in marketing. She is a member of Southeast’s Jane Stephens Honors Program and public relations and graphic design chair for Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority. She is a graduate of Southeast’s First Year Leadership Program and Emerging Leaders Program. She is a volunteer for Feed My Starving Children. Dittlinger, who expects to graduate in May 2022, hopes to pursue a career in the marketing industry. Dittlinger is the daughter of Rick and Scarlett Dittlinger of Benton, Missouri, and is a 2019 graduate of Thomas W. Kelly High School.

Grace Doherty

Grace Doherty of Ballwin, Missouri, is a junior pursing a major in elementary education with a minor in middle school language arts. She is a student co-president of St. John Henry Newman Center’s Apostolate. She has been named to Southeast’s Dean’s List for five consecutive semesters. Doherty, who expects to graduate in May 2022, plans to continue her education and earn a master’s degree in teaching. She is the daughter of Steve and Sara Doherty of Ballwin, Missouri, and is a 2018 graduate of Marquette High School.

Tori Ehlers of Elkville, Illinois, is a junior pursing a major in health sciences with an option in pre-physical and occupational therapy. She is a member of Southeast’s Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, Campus Outreach Ministries and intramural volleyball team. She has been named to Southeast’s Fall 2020 Dean’s List. She is a 2020 graduate of John A. Logan Community College, where she was a recipient of the Foundation Academic and Vocational Award Scholarship (FAVAS), John A. Logan’s highest award, and named to the President’s List for four consecutive semesters. Ehlers, who expects to graduate in May 2022, plans to attend graduate school and become a physical therapist for athletes and adolescents. She is the daughter of Jack and Chris Ehlers of Elkville, Illinois, and is a 2018 graduate of Elverado High School.

Baylee Etter

Baylee Etter of Auburn, Illinois, is a junior pursing a major in accounting. She is a member of Southeast’s Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, the Red Cross Club of SEMO and the Beta Alpha Psi International Honor Organization for Financial Information Students and Professionals. She has been named to Southeast’s Dean’s List for five consecutive semesters. Etter, who expects to graduate in May 2022, plans to pursue a career as a certified public accountant. She is the daughter of Bob and Sarah Etter of Auburn, Illinois, and is a 2018 graduate of North Mac High School.

Emma Hurst

Emma Hurst of Marble Hill, Missouri, is a senior pursing a major in social work with a minor in criminal justice. She is a member of Southeast’s Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society, and has been named to Southeast’s Dean’s List for five consecutive semesters. She has served as an election official and volunteer for the Bollinger County Fair Board. Hurst, who expects to graduate in December 2021, plans to continue her education and earn a master’s degree in social work. Hurst is the daughter of Chad and Amy Hurst of Marble Hill, Missouri, and a 2018 graduate of Woodland R-IV High School.

Clorinda James

Clorinda James of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, is a first-year graduate student pursing a Master of Arts in communication disorders. She is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA), and completed the United Way’s “Leadership UNITED” professional development program. She is a volunteer tutor for the ABC Today Network. She is a graduate of Southeast’s McNair Scholars Programm, and has been named to Southeast’s Dean’s List for five consecutive semesters between spring 2018 and fall 2019. She is a recipient of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Scholarship. She is married to William R. James II and is the daughter of Earnest Ray and Lee Sowell of Natchitoches, Louisiana, and the late Willie Ray Richards. James, who expects to graduate in May 2022, aspires to serve her community. She is 2019 Southeast graduate with Bachelor of Science in communication disorders and a minor in social work, and is a a 1994 graduate of Natchitoches Central High School.

Isabelle Jones of Willow Springs, Missouri, is a senior pursing a major in historic preservation.

Emma Sherrow

Emma Sherrow of Dyersburg, Tennessee, is a senior pursing a major in nursing. She has been named to Southeast’s Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 Dean’s Lists. She is a member of the Lynwood Baptist Church College Ministry. Sherrow, who expects to graduate this month, plans to work as a registered nurse. She hopes to continue her education and earn a masters degree and doctorate in nursing. Sherrow is the daughter of Wade and Debbie Sherrow of Dyersburg, Tennessee, and is a 2017 graduate of Dyersburg High School.

Ciara Southard

Ciara Southard of Springfield, Tennessee, is a junior pursuing majors in theatre and exceptional child education. She is a member of Southeast’s Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, where she current serves has assistant to the chair of philanthropy. She is a member of Southeast’s Student Missouri State Teachers Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and Teachers of Tomorrow. She has been named to Southeast’s Fall 2020 President’s List and to the Dean’s List for five consecutive semesters. Southard, who expects to graduate in May 2023, plans to become a special education teacher and one day hopes to open her own theatre for children with special needs. She is the daughter of Mark and Cheryl Coe of Springfield, Tennessee, and is a 2018 graduate of Davidson Academy.

Shannon Strayhorn of OFallon, Missouri, is a senior pursing a major in nursing. She is a member of Southeast’s Alpha Xi Delta Sorority and Campus Outreach Ministries; and is a recipient of Alpha Xi Delta Foundation’s 2019-20 Slaymaker-Kinsey Academic Award. She has been named to Southeast’s Fall 2018, Spring 2019 and Fall 2019 Dean’s Lists. She is the daughter of Larry Strayhorn of Chesterfield, Missouri, and Tricia Strayhorn of O’Fallon, Missouri. Strayhorn, who expects to graduate in December 2021, plans to work as a nurse in a St. Louis-area hospital and eventually continue her education and earn a master’s degree to become a nurse practitioner. Strayhorn is a 2018 graduate of Fort Zumwalt West High School.

The Power of Women Scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate a passion for a life of service, are attending Southeast full time and have completed at least 30 credit hours with a minimum 2.75 grade point average. Each recipient submitted an application demonstrating significant academic achievement, involvement at the University and commitment to volunteerism and community service. The Power of Women Scholarship Committee selected the recipients based on these factors as well as their future aspirations for success in their career and personal life.

For more information, visit semo.edu/foundation/power-of-women, or contact the Southeast Missouri University Foundation at (573) 651-2332.