SEMO students celebrate school's 150th birthday

Southeast Missouri State University held a 150th birthday party Wednesday as the start of a year-long observance of the school's sesquicentennial.

There were more than 80 booths of student organizations and academic departments with games and giveaways.

The event was held inside the University Center, but hundreds of students participated and Normal Avenue was also closed to traffic.

In 1873, there were only 57 students. Now, there are roughly 10,000, with more than 90,000 alumni, according to the school.

A total of 150 celebration events are planned over the course of the next year, including concerts, lectures, athletics, art displays, a film festival, concluding with a solar eclipse watch party on April 8, 2024.

The school also used the birthday to declare SEMO Giving Day on campus, with a goal of raising $150,000 for student needs. The campaign brought in more than $254,000.




(Photo: SEMO Facebook)