SENATE APPROVES SOUTHEAST REGENTS

JEFFERSON CITY - Two new members of the board of regents at Southeast Missouri State University were confirmed by the Missouri Senate Wednesday afternoon, after winning approval from the gubernatorial appointments committee earlier in the day.

Approved to six-year terms on the university's governing board were Don Dickerson, an attorney and lifelong resident of Cape Girardeau, and Patricia Washington, a native of Cape Girardeau who is editor of the St. Louis American newspaper.

Both are graduates of Southeast University, though three decades apart. Dickerson received his undergraduate degree in 1954; Washington in 1984.

In their comments before the gubernatorial appointments committee, both nominees stressed the importance of Southeast Missouri State to the entire region and said they viewed this as an opportunity to help Cape Girardeau and their alma mater.

"It is not often that one has an opportunity to go back and contribute to their hometown like this," Washington told the committee.

Dickerson noted that he had spent his life in Cape Girardeau, and remarked: "I think I realize fully well the importance of the university to Southeast Missouri. It is probably the greatest single asset that we have."

Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, sponsored Dickerson's nomination and said he enthusiastically offered his support to Gov. Mel Carnahan when he first learned that Dickerson was under consideration.

"I can think of no candidate more qualified to help Southeast Missouri State and state government than Don Dickerson," said Kinder. "He has an excellent resume of community service and support for higher education."

Sen. Bill Clay, D-St. Louis, who is Washington's senator, said Washington was highly qualified and had excelled in her career and would offer much to the regents.

"She is a well-learned individual," said Clay.

Senate Majority Leader J.B. "Jet" Banks also had words of praise for Washington's ability.

Sen. Mike Lybyer, D-Huggins, asked Dickerson what he felt that he could offer to the board of regents.

Dickerson replied that he understood the importance of the university to the region and that he would work with other board members to see that role was fulfilled.

Dickerson said he favors a long range plan for the university, to enable it to meet its goals and provide the best service possible to the region.

In particular, Dickerson suggested that Southeast can be a cornerstone for economic development efforts that would help address some of the problems of poverty in the Bootheel area.

He added that it is also important to keep tuition as low as possible to improve access to Southeast by students in the region.

Responding to a senator's question, Dickerson said he had not yet formed an opinion on increasing admission standards. But Dickerson said he recognized there is a delicate balance between admission standards and access to higher education.

Washington and Dickerson will replace Daniel Williams of St. Louis and Carl Ben Bidewell of Poplar Bluff, whose terms expired.

Both of the new regents are Democrats. State law requires that boards of regents be equally divided between political parties.

Other members of the board of regents are Donald Harrison and Ann Dombrowski of Cape Girardeau, and Mark Pelts of Kennett, all Republicans; and Lynn Dempster of Sikeston, a Democrat.

The next regent terms to extire are Harrision and Dombrowski on Jan. 1, 1995.