“This is an exciting milestone for everyone for our entire SEMO community,” said Southeast President Dr. Carlos Vargas. “The sesquicentennial will commemorate the history of the University during the last 150 years and allow us to look toward our future.”

Since the Third District Normal School opened its doors to 57 students in 1873, Southeast has evolved into a comprehensive, master’s-level regional public institution with 10,000 students and nationally and internationally recognized academic programs. More than 90,000 students have transitioned into alumni who are making a difference in communities across the world.

“Just as we did in 1873, SEMO helps students transform their lives, and their education often changes the trajectory of their entire family. In addition to the impacts our graduates have on their communities, the University has an economic impact of nearly a billion dollars annually in Missouri,” said Dr. Vargas. “ Southeast has always sought to be a partner for our state and to provide a high quality education without a high cost to determined students who are on the same mission we are—to significantly contribute to the development of the region and beyond.”

A birthday party will kick off the year-long sesquicentennial events on March 22, 2023 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. A brief ceremony followed by a street fair will honor the institution’s birthday. The event along Normal Avenue between Academic Hall and Kent Library will include birthday cake, music, historic displays, videos and more than 80 booths of student organizations and academic departments providing games, limited giveaways, and hands-on learning activities.

Many events are scheduled throughout the sesquicentennial with the theme “Making History” to honor the University’s achievements and mark other milestone anniversaries of academic programs and facilities. The sesquicentennial celebrations will culminate on April 8, 2024, with a solar eclipse where Cape Girardeau is in the center of totality. The sesquicentennial website at semo.edu/150 will share details about upcoming events, historical moments throughout Southeast’s timeline, and thoughts and memories shared by students and alumni.

“We hope our surrounding communities will come together with us to recognize this milestone. We invite them to join us for the birthday party and for the exciting events planned for the next year to honor our storied history and our promising future,” said Dr. Vargas.

For 150 years, "Making History" has been an inherent part of what Southeast Missouri State University has contributed to the region. The Copper Dome of Academic Hall rises to welcome students to a tradition of innovative academics, educational excellence, and launching extraordinary careers. As we plan for our next chapter, the Sesquicentennial will celebrate our storied history and our diverse graduates who are now "Making History" in their own communities.