SEMO REGENTS ELECT DON DICKERSON PRESIDENT

Southeast Missouri State University's Board of Regents elected Cape Girardeau lawyer Don Dickerson as its new president Friday.

"Thank you very much. That is the easiest election I have been through," he remarked during a brief meeting at the University Center.

Board member Sarah Long, a Poplar Bluff educator, was named vice president. Long attended the meeting via telephone.

Both Dickerson and Long were elected on unanimous votes.

Dickerson took the gavel from Cape Girardeau businessman Donald L. Harrison, who had earlier announced he was stepping down as board president.

Harrison will continue to serve on the board.

Harrison has served on the board since March 1989; he had served as board president since 1993.

The school's business college is named after Harrison, a major financial backer of the university.

Harrison was presented a plaque and resolution Friday for his years of service to the university.

The resolution was signed by Dr. Dale Nitzschke, university president; and student, faculty and staff leaders.

During Harrison's time on the board, the university adopted strategic and campus master plans, constructed the business college's Robert A. Dempster Hall and renovated the Towers residential complex.

The resolution said Harrison supported efforts to improve the university's academic programs as well as raise admission standards.

It thanked Harrison for his "dedication to the welfare of the institution."

Neal E. Boyd, Student Government vice president, read the resolution. He thanked Harrison for his hard work. Boyd said Harrison was an inspiration to the university community.

Harrison said he hadn't expected to be honored at the meeting. "All I can say is, `Golly,'"