Seven Southeast Missouri State University alumni will receive the school's Alumni Merit awards at the Copper Dome dinner at 7 p.m. May 7 at the Show Me Center.

For the first time, the awards were based solely on merit with no consideration given to the specific college at Southeast from which the person graduated.

Alumni Merit awards have been given since 1958 to graduates or former students who have brought distinction to themselves and the university.

This year's award winners are Dr. Thomas Gwaltney, Dr. F. Monte Evens, Charles Luetje, Dwain Hahs, Shirley Virdon, Franklin Owen and Chester Lindhoff.

Gwaltney, a Sikeston native, graduated from Southeast in 1957 with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. He is a professor of education and department honors coordinator at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. He and wife, Dolores, are the parents of three daughters.

Dr. F. Monte Evens, originally from Herculaneum, graduated from Southeast in 1955 with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and mathematics. He is self employed as a technical consultant and private investment counselor. He and his wife, Alice, live in Ponca City, Okla., and are the parents of five daughters.

Luetje, originally from Cape Girardeau, graduated from Southeast in 1963 with a bachelor of arts degree in zoology and chemistry. He is a doctor and ear surgeon at Otologic Center Inc. in Kansas City. He and his wife, Sandra, a 1964 Southeast graduate, live in Olathe, Kan. They are the parents of three children.

Hahs, a native of Jackson, graduated in 1974 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. He is president of the Global Eyewear Business at Bausch and Lomb Inc. He and his wife, Susan, live in Fairport, N.Y., and are the parents of two children.

Virdon, a Neelyville native, graduated in 1951 with a bachelor of science in education degree. She is active in many charitable and volunteer organizations. She and her husband, William, reside in Springfield, Mo. They have three daughters.

Owen, originally from Marble Hill, graduated from Southeast in 1938 with a bachelor of arts degree in history. A retired clergyman, Owen and his wife, Sue, reside in Lexington, Ky. They are the parents of three children.

Lindhoff, originally from Kirkwood, graduated from Southeast in 1934 with a bachelor of science degree in education. He is a retired businessman. He and his wife, Amy Nelle, also a 1934 Southeast graduate, live in Sun City, Ariz. They are the parents of two children.