The agriculture committee of the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce has donated $500 for the proposed College of Business Administration building at Southeast Missouri State University.

Committee members presented the gift to university President Kala M. Stroup.

"Hopefully, the funds can be used toward the business building," in which agri-business courses and agri-business-related topics will be offered, said Pat Marble, chamber executive secretary.

"We at Southeast Missouri State University recognize the vital business contributions made by the agricultural base of our region," Stroup said. "With the help of your gift, we hope to erect a state-of-the-art building for our College of Business Administration, in which we will prepare students for leadership for the future development of our region's agri-business, banking and other business-related fields."

The committee made the donation to thank Stroup for presenting the keynote address last November at the committee's annual Farmer's Recognition Banquet held in Sikeston.

During the banquet, 16 outstanding farm families from Scott, New Madrid, Mississippi and Stoddard counties were recognized. The families were selected by the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce, the University of Missouri Extension and volunteers.