“The most important thing that Southeast has given to me is the opportunity to lead,” Southeast Missouri State University senior Bryan Kujawa said of his time as a student at the University. Since his first semester at Southeast in fall 2007, Bryan has done just that.

Coming from one of Europe's largest cities to study through an international exchange program, Ignacio Bonet Ybarra did not expect to end up in a small, rural community in Missouri.

When Natalie Williams started working on her master’s degree at Southeast, she had no idea about the opportunities that awaited her.

Gary Smith is a man who believes in giving back to your alma mater. Aside from simply giving financially, Gary knows there are many other more unique and beneficial ways to give back as well.

Southeast Missouri State University graduate Justin A. Buck joined Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Southeast in the fall of 1995. Just shy of 15 years later, Justin is now the head of the entire international organization.

Spending a semester studying abroad may be intimidating to many students, but for Southeast Missouri State University student William Aubuchon, it was an opportunity he could not pass.

Kelli Foster, of Waynesville Mo., became involved with Catholic Campus Ministry her freshman year and is now president of the Newman Council.

Elizabeth Kintz says she had the experience of a lifetime while studying at the Dublin Institute of Technology.

Southeast senior Rita Jo Dirnberger of Cape Girardeau, Mo., says her education at Southeast has prepared her for her future beyond school. Rita Jo, an accounting major, got a taste of the “real world” environment through two different internships.

A spring internship with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington D.C. allowed Sara Head to experience many interesting opportunities.

“Knowing I provide an important community service is the most rewarding part of my profession.” These humble words from Jacqueline Ackert illustrate her commitment and dedication to public service.

Kuan-Ju Chen, born in small country of Taiwan, spent the last two years in the United States and visited Finland and Russia as part of the MBA program.

“Put the customer first and your people second. Treat all with great respect and empathy.” These words are the personal formula for success for Southeast Missouri State University alumnus Dave Schoenbeck.

If you would ever like to see your own vehicle on the big screen in Hollywood, think about giving Tom Smith a call.

Everyone has heard of the students who do so much they don’t seem to have time to breathe. Malia Mondy is one of those students.

Southeast sophomore and St. Louis, Mo., native, Ryan Hollingsworth, says he is grateful to have the opportunity to receive a higher education, after winning a battle with cancer in 2007. A business management major, Ryan already has begun to use the knowledge he acquired from his major to begin his own clothing line, “Living Sacrifice.”

How far would you travel to pursue your education? 100, 200 miles? How about a distance of almost 4,500 miles through several countries and across the Atlantic Ocean? That is what Gitte Amstrup faced when she left her native Denmark to complete her Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) at Southeast.

Last year a bulletin in Dempster Hall caught Nelson Elliott’s eye. As a direct result months later, he would find himself walking a foot bridge suspended 130 feet in the air surrounded by the treetops and wildlife of a rainforest and traveling to slave castles -- the “point of no return” for slaves sold to Europeans by their captors.

Candice Haas, a marketing management major from Millstadt, Ill., sells advertising spots to companies all over the world at her paid internship with the YELLOWPAGES.COM division of AT&T. “You sometimes hear about those ‘internships’ that basically entail filing, copying, faxing and doing the paper shuffle–not this internship! I learned about the sales process, how to approach different situations, how to create contracts and how to close the deal.” Best of all, this could turn into permanent employment at the end of the summer.

Transferring from college into the “real world” can be an interesting challenge. Searching for the right job with the right fit can be a long process, but Andrew Canter found success quickly as the new business teacher at Farmington High School.

Everyone knows that college life is stressful with papers, exams and endless assignments. However, Breana Lee experienced a new level of stress this spring when a tornado ripped through her family’s home and hometown of Caruthersville, Mo.

Ryan Murphy may have graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in the spring of 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, but his ties to the campus community are still strong.

Trying to decide on a major can be one of the most challenge experiences for today’s college student. Mishea Culbreath, advising coordinator for the Harrison College of Business, is in the business of guiding students towards admission into the College.

Southeast is the right place for Racheal Culberson. An integrated marketing communications major and a Spanish minor, Racheal is an energetic person who is passionate about helping others.

Life after college for Southeast alumna Sara Westrich has not been a typical desk job. After graduating in December 2003, Sara took a job with KPMG, LLP, an accounting firm in St. Louis. Sara is always on the go at KPMG.

Tim Sheets’ driving force to furthering his education at Southeast Missouri State University was his desire to drive.

Baseball fans anxiously file into Philip B. Elfstrom Stadium to cheer on the Kane County Cougars to another victory. Fans line up at the concession stands amidst the smell of freshly cooked hot dogs and nachos. Cheers come from the stadium as the Cougars take the field for their warm up. For Southeast alumnus Brent Lewis, these are the sights and sounds of a typical work day.

Mary Virginia Moore Johnson is a woman with an extreme past, and an extremely bright future. A professor in the Department of Accounting, Finance and Business Law at Southeast, Johnson teaches law courses - and with good reason.

Dr. Judy Wiles managed and co-owned a regional advertising agency and promotional products firm, where for 10 years, she enjoyed working full time in the world of marketing communications. But the desire to be a part of a community of advanced learning brought Wiles to the next stage of her career—teaching marketing and advertising at the college level.