Southeast Missouri State University senior Dyonne Klobe plans to spend her Christmas holidays in the spirit of glasnost.

The Perryville student, majoring in mass communications and public relations, is one of 50 students selected nationally to participate in the second annual Soviet Union Exchange Program.

The leadership seminar, scheduled for Dec. 28 to Jan. 13, will feature discussions and meetings with students and political leaders in St. Petersburg, Moscow and Vilnius, Lithuania.

Sponsored by the American Association of University Students (AAUS), the program provides student leaders from 33 U.S. colleges and universities the opportunity to witness, influence and participate in the tremendous changes occurring in the governments, cities, lives and minds of the citizens of the Soviet Union.

Klobe said she is looking forward to meeting "a wide array of people" and to compare, through discussions, the workings of Southeast to other universities.

"If we can find out about the classes, curriculum and orientation other schools offer," the trip will be successful, she added.

Klobe's interest in the program was sparked by Jean Benton, assistant professor of elementary and special education at Southeast, who challenged students in her "Living in a Global Society" to apply. Klobe was one of those students.

Benton says she has a particular interest in international relations and enjoys sharing it with her students.

"It is very important to share that interest" with them, Benton said. "If (students) don't have a global view of the world, we (the United States) won't stay on top of the heap.

"I am so happy to excite young minds in this way."

Southeast Provost Les Cochran applauded Benton's efforts.

"It really is important for our faculty to challenge students to do some things that they might think are beyond their reach," Cochran said. "That is the way leaders are developed.

"This is really a tribute to Jean and is significant in that Dyonne accepted her challenge," he said.

Other colleges and universities represented in the delegation include Northwestern University, New York University, Brigham Young University, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, University of Maryland, University of Virginia, Indiana University, Baylor University, Villanova University and the University of Iowa.

"This is the first time we've had a delegate," Cochran said. "I am pleased at what this means for Southeast. This is really a prestigious recognition of Dyonne's ability, and we are proud of her."

Klobe, the daughter of Daniel and Jeanette Klobe of Perryville, has demonstrated her leadership both in and out of the classroom. She is a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma service sorority and the Public Relations Student Society of America. She also has been active with the Newman Center and International Week, and has served on the Homecoming Steering Committee, as a summer orientation tour guide, and on the Student Government Funding Board. She also is a Student Government senator.

Student delegates will be among the first American students in the Soviet Union since the failed coup, and the first to participate in an exchange program with an independent Lithuania. The significance of this ensures special opportunities not normally afforded to visitors of the Soviet Union, including meetings with high level government officials, discussions with reform-minded students and host-family accommodations in Vilnius, Lithuania, university officials said.