WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) and Missouri Senators Kit Bond and Jim Talent today announces that Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) will receive two grants from the U.S. Department of Education totaling $1,739,675.

 

A $1,491,150 grant has been awarded to SEMO to purchase equipment for its River Campus, such as lighting, performance audio, and audiovisual systems to be used in the University’s performing arts programs.  The second grant of $248,525 is for SEMO to expand its RN to BSN nursing program into the Bootheel Region.  Activities will include marketing, recruiting students, delivery of courses via distance education, and implementation of continuing education courses for RNs.  Both grants are for the three-year period from June 1, 2004 to May 30, 2007.

 

“A top-quality university education is essential to keeping our best students in Southeast Missouri and to growing our rural communities,” Emerson, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said.  “The way to do that is to expand the programs that work, invest in our institutions, and offer new methods of learning like distance education.  I am very proud of SEMO for meriting these grants.  I will continue to advocate for programs such as these in Congress.  I consider this a return on the investment of Southern Missouri’s federal tax dollars and money put to good use.”

 

"Through its diverse programs and quality education, Southeast Missouri State University continues to attract many of Missouri's best and brightest," said Senator Kit Bond. "These funds will help the University continue to offer top-notch programs to Missouri students."

 

“SEMO continues to impress me with their vision for education in the 21st century,” said Sen. Talent. “In particular, the need for well-trained and highly-skilled nurses is critical to health care in our rural communities. This is a tremendous investment by the federal government to help make certain that the residents of Southeast Missouri have access to top medical professionals now and in the future.”

 

Congress included the funding in the FY 2004 Appropriations Omnibus, and Emerson and Bond sit on the House and Senate Appropriations committees, respectively.