Southeast Regents confirmed

JEFFERSON CITY -- The Senate on Thursday unanimously confirmed the appointments of the two newest members of the Southeast Missouri State University's Board of Regents.

Sikeston agribusinessman Edward "Ned" Matthews becomes one of the six voting members on the school's governing board and one the panel's three Republican members. He will serve a six-year term. India Daniele Jeffrey, a junior nursing major, will serve a one-year term as the non-voting student regent.

Both were named to the board by Gov. Bob Holden. Matthews is director of Matthews Cotton Co. in Sikeston and manages his family's farms in several Southeast Missouri counties.

"I'm totally committed to giving my time, resources, knowledge and experience to fulfill the requirements of a good board member," Matthews said. "I'm look forward to it."

Matthews has written a book due to be published this spring by the university press on the history of his family, which first came to Southeast Missouri in 1800.

Jeffrey hails from north St. Louis County.

She is a student ambassador at Southeast and a member of the Association of Black Collegians. "I hope to be a new voice for the students on campus," Jeffrey said.