Southeast Missouri State University will host the 13th annual Power of Women luncheon and expo on Friday, March 1, at the Show Me Center.
The Power of Women Expo kicks off at 10 a.m., featuring local businesses, community groups, and Southeast campus organizations. At 11:45 a.m., the luncheon will take place, headlined by keynote speaker Dr. Linda Godwin, former NASA astronaut and SEMO alumna.
“We’re very excited to have Dr. Godwin speaking at this year’s event,” said Amanda Lincoln, assistant vice president of University Advancement. “She is a pioneer in her field and an example for women everywhere. Her accomplishments are a result of her hard work and epitomize the message of the Power of Women event.”
Get Tickets for the 2024 Power of Women Expo and Luncheon
Southeast initiated the Power of Women program in 2012 to encourage women across the region, including local businesswomen, alumni, and students, to support the University through service and philanthropy.
This program connects female students with financial resources and role models in the area to support their education and facilitate scholarships, mentorships, internships, and service projects.
“The Power of Women event is one of my favorite events every year,” said Lincoln. “The event has brought together thousands of women who showcase strength, professionalism, philanthropy, and growth. We get to form relationships and learn from one another every year. Seeing the unlimited successes of those involved every year is truly inspiring.”
The annual luncheon and expo unites groups of women, celebrating and nurturing the future generation of women. A portion of the ticket sales proceeds supports the Power of Women scholarship program, which has awarded 85 scholarships to SEMO students since its inception.
About Linda M. Godwin, Ph.D.
Dr. Godwin received a B.S. degree in mathematics and physics from Southeast Missouri State University, and a M.S. and Ph.D. in physics from the University of Missouri where her research was in low temperature condensed matter physics.
Dr. Godwin joined the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, in 1980, initially supporting the integration and operation of science missions for the early Space Shuttle Program. She was selected as an astronaut candidate in 1985.
A veteran of four space shuttle flights, Dr. Godwin has logged over 915 hours (over 38 days) in space. She was a crewmember on STS-37 which deployed the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory; STS-59, an Earth science mission; STS-76, a docking mission to the Russian Space Station MIR; and STS-108, a crew exchange and supply mission to the International Space Station. She participated in spacewalks external to two space stations – MIR and ISS.
Dr. Godwin’s other assignments during her astronaut career included serving as deputy chief of the Astronaut Office, and as acting deputy director, Flight Crew Operations Directorate. She also served as a flight crew representative during development of the future NASA Exploration Program prior to her retirement from NASA in August 2010.
Following her NASA career, Dr. Godwin was a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Missouri, in Columbia, Missouri for eight years where she taught physics and astronomy classes. She is currently an emeritus professor of the department and still serves in an adjunct capacity.
Tickets
Tickets for the expo and luncheon are available for purchase at semo.edu/powerofwomen. Individual tickets are $35, while table packages are offered at $200. There is also an expo booth package available for $500. Join us for this exceptional event celebrating and empowering women.
2024 Sponsors
Presenting
Mercy Hospital Southeast
SEMO Dining
Platinum
Edward Jones
Saint Francis
EBO MD
Gold
H&R Block
Banterra Bank
PC Medical Centers
River Radio
KRCU Public Radio