Rhyming Nitzschke is anything but a cinch-key.

But there's a bonus prize waiting for the budding poet who can author a verse that will rhyme with Nitzschke.

The prize: an unabridged volume of the collected works of Shakespeare.

The poetry contest is just one of the activities planned for the inauguration next month of Dr. Dale Nitzschke as Southeast Missouri State University's 16th president.

The contest is for all English majors and minors at Southeast. It is sponsored by the English department and the College of Liberal Arts.

Entry deadline is April 1. Entries must be submitted to the department office in the Grauel Building, Room 301.

"It is supposed to be a fun thing," said Dr. Jennie Cooper, an English professor.

She and Dr. Dale Haskell, associate professor of English, came up with the idea a few weeks ago.

"There were so few things that were scheduled just for students," Cooper said.

The entries will be judged April 1. "I don't believe in long drawn-out decisions," she said.

There is no limit on the length of the poems.

Cash prizes will be awarded for the best poems: $100 for first place, $50 for second and $25 for third place.

Southeast's faculty members also have their own contest to come up with a rhyme for Nitzschke.

Haskell already has authored a poem for the occasion.

"I may consider adding a faculty prize," said Cooper.

Nitzschke isn't an easy word to rhyme, she said.

The winning poems will be read April 7 at 4 p.m. at a reception in the Honors Center at 902 College Hill.

Southeast will begin distributing tickets for the Nitzschke inauguration to the general public on March 31. The tickets will be available at the Show Me Center box office.

Those seeking tickets should bring photo identification.

The inauguration ceremony is set for 2 p.m. April 10 in the Show Me Center.

Admission is free, but tickets will be distributed because seating could be limited.

The university first will distribute tickets to faculty, staff and students at Southeast from March 24-27 at the University Center.

"Our first priority is to accommodate as many as possible of our university students, faculty and staff for the inauguration ceremony," said Jim Biundo, assistant to the president for university relations.

Biundo is co-chairman of the inauguration steering committee.

"Frankly, the unknown at this point is how many tickets students will pick up," he said.

A big-band dance has been added to inauguration activities. There is a cost to attend.

The dance will follow the inauguration on April 10. It will start at 8 p.m. in the Show Me Center.

Biundo said the university has raised about $25,000 from private donations to help fund the cost of various speakers for inauguration week, April 4-12.

Comedian Bill Cosby will perform at 8 p.m. April 12 at the Show Me Center to wrap up inauguration week.

About 1,500 tickets have been ordered, said David Ross, Show Me Center manager. Ross said Cosby will perform regardless of how many tickets are sold. Ross said the famous entertainer should draw a good crowd.

Tickets will go on sale March 17 at the various ticket outlets. Tickets will be mailed to those who have already ordered them.

Ross said Cosby will perform on a stage that will be set up in the center of the arena. Seating will accommodate about 7,500 people, he said.