CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Mercy’s Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences awarded 52 degrees at its spring 2026 commencement ceremony, which also served to honor the retiring Dr. Steven Langdon, president of the college, on his upcoming retirement at the end of the spring semester.
Grace Schremp of Perryville, Radiologic Technology, was one of six students were recognized for outstanding academic performance by earning the highest grade point average in their respective programs. The others are: Macie McDaniel of Jackson, Missouri, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Vanessa Mungate of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Medical Laboratory Science; Jessica Weibrecht of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Medical Laboratory Science; Bailey Green of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Nursing; Radiologic Technology; and Ayla Beck of Bertrand, Missouri, Surgical Technology.
Commencement activities took place on Saturday, May 2, at La Croix Church in Cape Girardeau. Anna Lopez, chief operating officer at Mercy Southeast, served as the commencement speaker.
The College of Nursing and Health Sciences conferred 14 Bachelor of Science degrees in nursing, 17 Associate of Applied Science degrees in nursing, 12 Associate of Applied Science degrees in radiologic technology, five Associate of Applied Science degrees in medical laboratory science and four Associate of Applied Science degrees in surgical technology.
Dr. Langdon has served as president of the college for seven years and worked in higher education for nearly 40 years. While president, he ushered in a new era by leading the transition to Mercy in 2023. Dr. Langdon also brought in two new programs for health care students – the practical nursing bridge program to the associate degree nursing program and the diagnostic medical sonography program, both of which have waitlists for enrollment.
“We are so appreciative of Dr. Langdon’s leadership and steady hand over the last seven years,” said Dr. Jim Dufek, president of the college’s board of trustees. “His efforts have ensured our institution is set for years to come in training and supplying future healthcare leaders in this region. We congratulate Dr. Langdon on his well-deserved retirement and thank him for the lasting impact of his leadership.”
To learn more about Mercy’s Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences in Cape Girardeau, visit www.sehcollege.edu.
Mercy, one of the 15 largest U.S. health systems and named the top large system in the U.S. for excellent patient experience by NRC Health, serves millions annually with nationally recognized care and one of the nation’s largest and highest performing Accountable Care Organizations in quality and cost. Mercy is a highly integrated, multi-state health care system including 55 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, convenient and urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has over 1,000 physician practice locations and outpatient facilities, more than 5,000 physicians and advanced practitioners and more than 50,000 caregivers serving patients and families across Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In fiscal year 2025 alone, Mercy provided more than half a billion dollars of free care and other community benefits, including traditional charity care and unreimbursed Medicaid.