Graduates will straighten their caps and parents will click pictures today as 603 students prepare to enter the real world.

Commencement for Southeast Missouri State University students is at 2 p.m. in the Show Me Center. Five hundred and thirty-one undergraduate students and 72 master's and specialist candidates will receive degrees.

Kathryn Swan, chair of the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education, will address the graduates.

Dr. Marcia Nahikian-Nelms, a professor of nutrition and dietetics, will speak at an Honors Convocation at 10:30 a.m. in the Show Me Center, where 177 students will be recognized.

Here is a look at four students who will be accepting their diplomas.

Michelle and Jennifer Nedilnycky

Identical twins Michelle and Jennifer Nedilnycky of Cape Girardeau enrolled in the same college, took the same classes, received the same GPA and student taught at the same school. Today they will share the stage as they receive their diplomas.

"We always do almost the same thing," said Michelle.

Living at home and sharing a car, the women said it was easier to have matching schedules, and it helped when it came to studying. The two tried to match their schedules while attending Notre Dame Regional High School as well.

"We are both hard workers, and we struggle in the same areas," said Jennifer, who added that she and her sister earned A's in all classes but two at Southeast. The twins both majored in elementary education with an emphasis in early childhood education, something they had planned since they were children.

The 23-year-olds intend to substitute teach for the rest of the school year and move out of their parents' home soon. But they still plan on living together and hope to one day teach at the same school.

"That's our dream," Michelle said.

Dana Bailey

After 20 years and two universities, Dana Bailey is receiving her English degree at Southeast Missouri State this year. (Kit Doyle)

Dana Bailey enrolled in college in 1981. Money was tight, so she began small -- one class at a time. Twenty-six years later, she is receiving her degree.

"It's a closing of something I've worked on forever," she said.

Beginning at Kansas State and transferring to Southeast in 2003, Bailey, 45, continued to work full time as an administrative assistant while taking classes.

When she first began, she said, her father would buy her textbooks and was always her biggest supporter.

"My mom is in a nursing home, my dad passed away, but I will have my best friend here. It's going to be very emotional," she said.

Although she majored in English, Bailey said a class with Dr. Frank Nickell sparked an interest in history, and her boss encouraged her to pursue a profession in education.

She now plans to take certification classes so she can teach social studies to high school students. A program in Kansas City will allow her to teach and take classes at the same time, she said.

"I think the reason I want to be a teacher is that I don't ever not want to be in school. That's what I've known for so long," she said.

Jean Domagni

African Jean Domagni, of the Ivory Coast, will graduate with three bachelor's degrees this year, including one in computer science. (Kit Doyle)

When Jean Domagni, 23, arrived from the Ivory Coast of Africa, he was amazed at how many educational resources were at his disposal.

"You are surrounded by what you need to study. You have many majors to choose from. Sometimes back in my country the government decides what people should do. Here you have a choice," Domagni said.

In fact, Domagni chose three -- majoring in pure mathematics, applied mathematics and computer science -- and completed the courses in three and a half years. This semester, he took 22 credit hours.

He plans to work at an engineering or computer programming firm in St. Louis for a year before applying to graduate school.

When he first arrived, he said, he had trouble understanding the language and was troubled by the cold weather. But, he said, "professors are always willing to help you" and "people are really friendly."

Domagni's father flew from Africa to see his son and daughter graduate. Domagni's 27-year-old sister, Juliette, is also graduating from Southeast. She arrived in Cape Girardeau a year and a half before her brother.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123