Southeast Missouri State University Announces 2024–2025 Student Life and Leadership Award Recipients

The awards recognize students, faculty, and staff who go above and beyond to foster a strong sense of community on campus, as well as outstanding student organizations that integrate community engagement into their mission. Honorees are celebrated for their academic achievements, leadership, and commitment to making Southeast a better place for all.

President’s Spirit of Southeast Awards

These awards are presented to five undergraduate students with a minimum 3.0 GPA and at least 60 credit hours completed. Recipients demonstrate leadership, integrity, and involvement on and off campus, and they inspire others to get engaged with the University community.

• Presley Quarles, O’Fallon, Mo., senior double major in music and healthcare information systems 
• Abbey Rudisaile, Festus, Mo., senior elementary education major with a minor in developmental psychology and working toward the autism spectrum disorder certification
• Francis Kulavic, IV, Springfield, Il., senior history and anthropology major with a minor in environmental science
• Jeanna Brantley, Festus, Mo., senior exceptional child mild/moderate major with certificate in autism spectrum disorder
• Sophie Martin, Perryville, Mo., senior psychology major with minors in management and entrepreneurship/corporate innovation 

First-Year Student Awards

These awards recognize first-year undergraduate students (30 credit hours or less) with a minimum 2.75 GPA who have demonstrated outstanding leadership potential. 

• Tinotenda Matonzi, Harare, Zimbabwe, first-year sophomore financial econometrics major 
• Reese Mullins, Arnold, Mo., freshman middle school education major with a minor in middle school science

Civic and Global Engagement Awards

This award honors individuals who see the moral, civic, and global dimensions of public and social issues and take personal responsibility to make a difference through both political and non-political efforts. 

• Dilasha Pandey, Kathmandu, Nepal, graduate double major in technology management and trauma and resiliency studies 
• Arika Wiggins, assistant professor in criminal justice, social work and sociology 

Student Life Achievement Awards

This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in community building at Southeast.

• Jalik Smith, Florissant, Mo., senior communications disorder major with a minor in computer science 
• Jimmy Osborn, Belleville, Il., senior elementary educator major with a minor in middle school social sciences

University Contributor Awards

Presented to students, faculty, or staff who have significantly contributed to the University without necessarily holding formal leadership positions.

• Jim Daughters, assistant professor of music and director of bands
• Verona Lambert, student success manager

Outstanding Student Organization Award

This award is presented to a registered student organization that has made notable contributions to the campus community.

• International Student Association (ISA) 

Outstanding Student Organization Advisor Awards

These awards recognize volunteer advisors who demonstrate outstanding commitment to both their student organizations and student leadership development.

• Katie Krodinger, director of new student programs and interim director of student services 

• Andrew Chronister, instructor in engineering and technology and faculty advisor of SEMO's drone club

Provost Awards

Awarded to one undergraduate student from each academic college and one graduate student who have achieved academic excellence with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

• Alli Haertling – Altenburg, Mo., senior early childhood education major with a minor in Spanish (College of Education, Health & Human Studies)
• Gwen Squires – Cape Girardeau, Mo., senior actuarial science major with minors in data science and finance (College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)
• Sam Brucker – Benton, Mo., junior cybersecurity major with minors in computer networking and computer science (Harrison College of Business & Computing)
• Jordan A. Pavelka – Sikeston, Mo., senior music instrumental performance major (Holland College of Arts & Media)

• Emilie Torres – Festus, Mo., senior double major in criminal justice and psychology with a minor in criminology (College of Humanities & Social Sciences)
• Molly McNabb – Cape Girardeau, Mo., graduate student in public history (Graduate Studies)

Experiential Learning Awards

These awards recognize individuals or groups who have excelled in experiential learning experiences that exemplify Southeast’s hands-on learning mission.

• Justin Aden – Cape Girardeau, Mo., senior sport management major with a minor in business (College of Education, Health & Human Studies) 

• Jack Mabuce – Jackson, Mo., senior double major in biomedical sciences major with a minor in chemistry (College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)

• SEMO Marketing Department American Advertising Awards Winners – Harrison College of Business & Computing
  • Hannah Combs – Kennett, Mo., senior integrated and digital marketing major with a management minor
  • Erica Standefer – Belleview, Mo., senior integrated and digital marketing major with an interactive design technology minor
  • Ella Rodman – Webster Groves, Mo., senior hospitality management major with a minor in integrated integrated marking communications
  • Emma Fagnanu – Kirkwood, Mo., senior integrated and digital marketing communications major
  • Karsyn Connell – Cape Girardeau, Mo., senior integrated and digital marketing communications major
• SEMO Marching Band – Holland College of Arts & Media
  • Jae Childs – Cape Girardeau, Mo., senior double major in pre-veterinary medicine and agribusiness: animal science with minors in biology and chemistry
  • Nathan Anderson – Festus, Mo., senior musical theatre major with minors in dance and music
  • Zane Redden – Cape Girardeau, Mo., senior instrumental music education major
  • Bailey Jennings – Springfield, Il., senior instrumental music education major
  • Sam Schwarm – St. Charles, Mo., senior instrumental music education major

• Ellie Schafer – Murphysboro, Il., senior historic preservation major with a minor in anthropology (College of Humanities & Social Sciences)

• Lucky Okpanachi Atabo – Lafia, Nigeria, graduate biology student (Graduate Studies)

Apply to SEMO