# Southeast Missouri State University

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Public university in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, US

Southeast Missouri State University Type Public university Established 1873; 153 years ago (1873)[1] Accreditation HLC Endowment $114 million (2021)[2] President Brad Hodson Faculty 407 Students 9,677 (fall 2023) [3] Undergraduates 8,454 (fall 2022) Postgraduates 1,473 (fall 2022) Location Cape Girardeau , Missouri , United States Campus 328 acres (132.7 ha) Small city Colors Red and black[4] Sporting affiliations NCAA Division I FCS – Ohio Valley MIC Mascot Rowdy the Redhawk Website www.semo.edu

**Southeast Missouri State University** (**Southeast** or **SEMO**) is a [public university](/source/Public_university) in [Cape Girardeau, Missouri](/source/Cape_Girardeau%2C_Missouri). In addition to the main campus, the university has four regional campuses offering full degree programs and a secondary campus housing the Holland College of Arts and Media. The university is accredited by the [Higher Learning Commission](/source/Higher_Learning_Commission).[5]

Enrolling 9,677 students, Southeast offers more than 175 undergraduate degree programs and 75 graduate programs. Originally founded in 1873 as a [normal school](/source/Normal_school), the university has a traditional emphasis on teacher education. Five academic units make up the university: the Holland College of Arts and Media; the Harrison College of Business and Computing; the College of Education, Health, and Human Studies; College of Humanities and Social Sciences; and the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The university's thirteen athletics teams compete in the [Ohio Valley Conference](/source/Ohio_Valley_Conference) of [NCAA Division I](/source/NCAA_Division_I) and are known as the [Redhawks](/source/Southeast_Missouri_State_Redhawks). The football team competes in the [Football Championship Subdivision](/source/Football_Championship_Subdivision) of Division I.

## History

Southeast Missouri State University was founded in 1873 when a group of businessmen and politicians successfully lobbied the State of [Missouri](/source/Missouri) to designate [Cape Girardeau](/source/Cape_Girardeau) as the home of the Third District [Normal School](/source/Normal_School). Originally known as Southeast Missouri State Normal School, the first classes were taught at the nearby Lorimier School until April 1875, when the first university building was completed.

The university has had five names in its history:[6]

- **Southeast Missouri State Normal School**, 1873–1881

- **Missouri State Normal School—Third District**, 1881–1919

- **Southeast Missouri State Teachers College**, 1919–1946

- **Southeast Missouri State College**, 1946–1973

- **Southeast Missouri State University**, 1973–present

The Normal building was described in 1883 by [Mark Twain](/source/Mark_Twain) in *[Life on the Mississippi](/source/Life_on_the_Mississippi)* as "a bright new edifice, picturesquely and peculiarly towered and pinnacled—a sort of gigantic casters, with the cruets all complete."[7] It burned down on April 8, 1902,[8] and was replaced in 1906 by Academic Hall, the school's domed landmark building. Academic Hall was designed by [Jerome Bibb Legg](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jerome_Bibb_Legg&action=edit&redlink=1), who also designed the [St. Louis Exposition and Music Hall](/source/St._Louis_Exposition_and_Music_Hall), and it includes light fixtures from the [1904 World's Fair](/source/1904_World's_Fair). Academic Hall today stands at the center of campus and houses administrative offices, classrooms, and an auditorium.

Academic Hall, ca. 1906

In the 1950s, Southeast Missouri State College had an enrollment of approximately 1,600 students. Enrollment steadily increased to more than 7,000 students in the 1970s. The college moved away from its focus on training teachers and began to offer courses of study in business, nursing, and the liberal arts. The size campus grew rapidly in this same period. In 1956, the institution had ten buildings on campus. By 1975, the number had increased to twenty-two buildings.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

In 1998, the university acquired the former St. Vincent's Seminary located in downtown Cape Girardeau on the [Mississippi River](/source/Mississippi_River).[9] This property has been redeveloped as the River Campus, which opened in Fall 2007 and houses the Earl and Margie Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts.[10] The construction of the River Campus began to shift the institution's focus towards the visual and performing arts, which today forms the basis of the university's statewide reputation.

Missouri State Normal School Third District President John Sephus McGhee established the University Schools on June 15, 1897. This allowed prospective teachers to gain real-world teaching experience while earning their degrees.[11] As the university expanded its curriculum and extra-curricular activities, so did the University Schools. In 1903, as recent construction allowed for more space for university classes, the training school was able to expand its class sizes as well. The University Schools consisted of an elementary, junior high, and high school. The University Schools closed at the end of the 1986–1987 school year due to increasing costs.[12]

### University presidents

1. Lucius H. Cheney (1873–76)

1. Alfred Kirk (1876–77)

1. Charles Henry Dutcher (1877–81)

1. Richard Chapman Norton (1881–93)

1. [Willard Duncan Vandiver](/source/Willard_Duncan_Vandiver) (1893–97)

1. John Sephus McGhee (1897–99)

1. Washington Strother Dearmont (1899–1921)

1. Joseph Archibald Serena (1921–33)

1. Walter Winfield Parker (1933–56)

1. Mark F. Scully (1956–75)

1. Robert E. Leestamper (1975–79)

1. [Bill W. Stacy](/source/Bill_W._Stacy) (1979–89)

1. Robert W. Foster (1989–90)

1. Kala Stroup (1990–95)

1. Bill Atchley (1995–96)

1. [Dale F. Nitzschke](/source/Dale_F._Nitzschke) (1996–99)

1. Kenneth W. Dobbins (1999–2015)

1. Carlos Vargas-Aburto (2015–2025)

1. Brad Hodson (2025-Present)

## Campus

### River Campus

Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall

The River Campus is home to the Earl and Margie Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts. The facilities incorporate two buildings: the Seminary Building and the Cultural Arts Center. These buildings contain the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall, the Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum, the John and Betty Glenn Convocation Center, the Wendy Kurka Rust Flexible Theatre, the Robert F. and Gertrude L. Shuck Music Recital Hall, and the River Campus Art Gallery. It is home to the departments of Art, Music, Theater and Dance. The River Campus hosts many performance series: the Theater and Dance Series, the Symphony Series, the Southeast Ensemble Series, the Jazz Series, the Faculty Recital Series and Sundays at Three chamber music Series. The Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp II Museum and Art Gallery features rotating touring exhibitions.

### Regional campuses

Southeast and [Three Rivers Community College](/source/Three_Rivers_Community_College_(Missouri)) in [Poplar Bluff](/source/Poplar_Bluff%2C_Missouri) agreed in 2004 to share higher education facilities at three locations in southeast Missouri: [Sikeston](/source/Sikeston%2C_MO), [Kennett](/source/Kennett%2C_MO), and [Malden](/source/Malden%2C_MO). In spring 2005, Southeast eliminated Three Rivers courses from those centers, citing failure of the community college to pay approximately $10,000 in facilities-use fees. Southeast took over all course offerings at the centers, which have subsequently been named regional campuses of Southeast Missouri State University. Three Rivers Community College filed a lawsuit in March 2005 against Southeast.[13][14] The lawsuit was subsequently dropped, and Southeast and Three Rivers recently announced plans to develop a joint bachelor's degree program in social work.[15] Southeast now operates four regional campuses, at Kennett, Malden, Sikeston, and [Perryville](/source/Perryville%2C_Missouri).[16]

## Athletics

Main article: [Southeast Missouri State Redhawks](/source/Southeast_Missouri_State_Redhawks)

Southeast Missouri State has been a member of [NCAA Division I](/source/NCAA_Division_I) ([Division I FCS](/source/Football_Championship_Subdivision) for football) since moving up from [Division II](/source/NCAA_Division_II) in 1991. As a result of the promotion in classifications, Southeast Missouri State left the Division II athletic conference [Mid–America Intercollegiate Athletics Association](/source/Mid%E2%80%93America_Intercollegiate_Athletics_Association) (MIAA) and joined the Division I [Ohio Valley Conference](/source/Ohio_Valley_Conference) (OVC).

## Student life

Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023[17] Race and ethnicity Total White 75% Black 8% International student 5% Unknown 4% Hispanic 3% Two or more races 3% Asian 1% Economic diversity Low-income[a] 36% Affluent[b] 64%

### *Arrow* student newspaper

The *Arrow* is the university's [student newspaper](/source/Student_newspaper). The second editor of the *Capaha Arrow* was [Rush Limbaugh Sr.](/source/Rush_Limbaugh_Sr.), who became a nationally recognized Missouri attorney and practiced law in Cape Girardeau until just before his death at the age of 104 in 1996; he was the grandfather of the media personality [Rush Limbaugh](/source/Rush_Limbaugh). After the university changed its mascot from Indians/Otahkians to Redhawks, the newspaper dropped *Capaha* and is now known as simply *The Arrow.* It is still run by students in the Department of Mass Media and publishes a biweekly newspaper distributed throughout campus. Microfilm and print copies of the *Capaha Arrow* dating back to the first issue are available at Kent Library[18] and Special Collections and Archives,[19] and some stories are also put on *The Arrow* website.[20]

## Notable alumni

- 1941 [Velmer A. Fassel](/source/Velmer_A._Fassel), scientist

- 1955 [Kenneth Dement](/source/Kenneth_Dement), football player, lawyer, and local community leader

- 1960 [Dick Hantak](/source/Dick_Hantak), football referee

- 1960 [Ken Iman](/source/Ken_Iman), football player

- 1961 [Roy Thomas](/source/Roy_Thomas), comic book writer and editor

- 1968 [Clyde A. Vaughn](/source/Clyde_A._Vaughn), director of the [Army National Guard](/source/Army_National_Guard)

- 1969 [James T. Conway](/source/James_T._Conway), United States Marine

- 1974 [Linda Godwin](/source/Linda_Godwin), astronaut

- 1976 [Peter Kinder](/source/Peter_Kinder), politician

- 1979 [Steve Tappmeyer](/source/Steve_Tappmeyer), basketball coach

- 1980 [Desi Barmore](/source/Desi_Barmore) (born 1960), basketball player

- 1987 [Cedric Kyles](/source/Cedric_The_Entertainer), entertainer

- 1988 [Jill Pizzotti](/source/Jill_Pizzotti), basketball coach

- 1990 [Rodney Charles Wilson](/source/Rodney_Charles_Wilson), educator, LGBTQ advocate

- 1994 [Steven Tilley](/source/Steven_Tilley), Speaker of the [Missouri House of Representatives](/source/Missouri_House_of_Representatives)

- 1994 [Kerry Robinson](/source/Kerry_Robinson), former Major League outfielder for the [St. Louis Cardinals](/source/St._Louis_Cardinals)

- 1998 [Angel Rubio](/source/Angel_Rubio), football player

- 2000 [Jason Witczak](/source/Jason_Witczak), football player

- 2001 [Neal E. Boyd](/source/Neal_E._Boyd), 2008 winner of *[America's Got Talent](/source/America's_Got_Talent)*

- 2003 [Willie Ponder](/source/Willie_Ponder), football player

- 2004 [Eugene Amano](/source/Eugene_Amano), football player

- 2005 [Dan Connolly](/source/Dan_Connolly_(American_football)), football player

- 2006 [Edgar Jones](/source/Edgar_Jones_(tight_end)), football player

- 2007 [Joe Tuineau](/source/Joe_Tuineau), rugby player

- 2014 [Tyler Stone](/source/Tyler_Stone_(basketball)) (born 1991), basketball player in the [Israeli Basketball Premier League](/source/Israeli_Basketball_Premier_League)

- 2016 [Joey Lucchesi](/source/Joey_Lucchesi), baseball player

- 2017 [Antonius Cleveland](/source/Antonius_Cleveland), basketball player

- 2018 [Drew Forbes](/source/Drew_Forbes), football player

- 2021 [Dylan Dodd](/source/Dylan_Dodd), baseball player

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [Pell grant](/source/Pell_grant) intended for low-income students.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** The percentage of students who are a part of the [American middle class](/source/American_middle_class) at the bare minimum.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-SEMO_History_1-0)** "[Southeast Missouri State University History and Traditions](https://semo.edu/about/history.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120314032225/http://www.semo.edu/whyse/history.htm) March 14, 2012, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)".

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Southeast Missouri State University | Data USA"](https://datausa.io/profile/university/southeast-missouri-state-university).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2023_Enrollment_3-0)** ["Enrollment Report for Missouri Public and Comprehensive Independent Institutions"](https://dhewd.mo.gov/data/documents/Fall2023EnrollmentReport.xlsx). *Missouri Department of Higher Education*. December 1, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Brand & Web Guidelines | SEMO"](https://semo.edu/marketing-communications/brand/brand-guidelines.html#colors). Retrieved November 13, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["About the University | SEMO"](https://semo.edu/about/index.html). *Southeast Missouri State University*. Retrieved October 7, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Art Mattingly, Normal to University: A Century of Service (Cape Girardeau: Southeast Missouri State University, 1979), 67, 110, 122.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain: Chapter 25"](https://www.online-literature.com/twain/life_mississippi/26/). *www.online-literature.com*. Retrieved October 8, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["About Kent Library"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100124214123/http://library.semo.edu/info/building_history.shtml). Archived from [the original](http://library.semo.edu/info/building_history.shtml) on January 24, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["St. Vincent's College, Cape Girardeau"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071231174910/http://apps.lib.depaul.edu/speccoll/guides/CapeGirardeau.htm). Archived from [the original](http://apps.lib.depaul.edu/speccoll/guides/CapeGirardeau.htm) on December 31, 2007. Retrieved February 9, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** University, Web Design & Support, Southeast Missouri State. ["Facilities - Southeast Missouri State University"](http://www.semo.edu/svpa/facilities.htm). *www.semo.edu*.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Special Collections and Archives, Southeast Missouri State University, University Schools Collection, Descriptive Overview. [\[1\]](http://library.semo.edu/archives/collections/Finding%20Aids/University%20Schools/University%20Schools%20Descriptive%20Overview.htm)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Special Collections and Archives, Guide to the University Schools Collection. [\[2\]](http://library.semo.edu/archives/collections/Finding%20Aids/University%20Schools/University%20Schools%20Title%20Page.htm)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["seMissourian.com: Story: Southeast severs ties to Poplar Bluff community college"](http://www.semissourian.com/story/157524.html). www.semissourian.com. Retrieved May 11, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["seMissourian.com: News : TRCC vs. SEMO dispute"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071029194029/http://www.semissourian.com/topic/trcc/). www.semissourian.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.semissourian.com/topic/trcc/) on October 29, 2007. Retrieved May 11, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Missouri colleges collaborate on program – Missouri"](http://www.bnd.com/336/story/753393.html). Belleville News-Democrat. Retrieved May 11, 2009. [*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Satellite Campuses, Southeast Missouri State University"](http://www.semo.edu/extlearn/satellite.htm). www.semo.edu. Retrieved May 11, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["College Scorecard: Southeast Missouri State University"](https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school?179557-Southeast-Missouri-State-University). *College Scorecard*. [United States Department of Education](/source/United_States_Department_of_Education). Retrieved June 23, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Kent Library Learning & Research"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140319062720/http://library.semo.edu/index.html). Archived from [the original](http://library.semo.edu/index.html) on March 19, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Archived copy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023217/http://library.semo.edu/archives/index.htm). Archived from [the original](http://library.semo.edu/archives/index.htm) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2016.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_archived_copy_as_title))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["The Arrow"](http://www.capahaarrow.com). *capahaarrow.com*.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Southeast Missouri State University](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Southeast_Missouri_State_University).

- [Official website](https://library.semo.edu/)

- [Athletics website](https://semoredhawks.com/)

v t e Southeast Missouri State University Located in: Cape Girardeau, Missouri Established: 1873 University History Presidents Bill W. Stacy Dale F. Nitzschke Willard Vandiver Athletics Teams Baseball Basketball (m) Basketball (w) Football Venues Capaha Field Houck Stadium Show Me Center People Brady Barke Category

v t e Ohio Valley Conference Full members Eastern Illinois Panthers Lindenwood Lions Little Rock Trojans1 Morehead State Eagles SIU Edwardsville Cougars Southeast Missouri State Redhawks Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles Tennessee State Tigers Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles1 UT Martin Skyhawks Western Illinois Leathernecks Associate members Bryant Bulldogs6 Chattanooga Mocs4 Houston Christian Huskies3 Incarnate Word Cardinals3 Liberty Flames3 1 Murray State Racers5 UTRGV Vaqueros3 2 Related topics OVC–Big South Football Association OVC football OVC men's basketball 1leaving in 2026 2joining in 2026 3soccer (men's) 4beach volleyball 5rifle 6golf (men's / women's), tennis (women's )

v t e Colleges and universities in Missouri Public institutions University of Missouri System University of Missouri Missouri University of Science and Technology University of Missouri–Kansas City University of Missouri–St. Louis Central Missouri Harris–Stowe State Lincoln Missouri Southern Missouri State Missouri Western Northwest Missouri State Southeast Missouri State Truman State Private institutions A.T. Still Avila Central Christian Central Methodist College of the Ozarks Columbia Conception Seminary Concordia Seminary Cottey Covenant Cox Culver–Stockton Drury Evangel Hannibal-LaGrange KCAI Kansas City University Kenrick-Glennon Lindenwood Logan Maryville Midwest University Midwestern Baptist Mission Missouri Baptist Missouri Valley Nazarene Ozark Christian Park Rockhurst Saint Louis University Southwest Baptist Stephens UHSP in St. Louis Urshan Washington University in St. Louis Webster Westminster William Jewell William Woods Nursing schools Chamberlain Goldfarb Research College of Nursing Saint Luke's Sinclair Two-year colleges Crowder East Central Jefferson Metropolitan CC Mineral Area Missouri State University–West Plains Moberly Area CC North Central Missouri Ozarks TCC Ranken TC State Tech St. Charles CC St. Louis CC State Fair CC Three Rivers Defunct institutions Central Bible Central Female Fontbonne Lincoln and Lee Marion St. Louis Christian St. Paul's College Tarkio Tech Wentworth Military

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND National United States Israel Geographic MusicBrainz place Other Yale LUX

[37°18′54.45″N 89°31′45.81″W / 37.3151250°N 89.5293917°W / 37.3151250; -89.5293917](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Southeast_Missouri_State_University&params=37_18_54.45_N_89_31_45.81_W_region:US)

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