Whether they graduated in 1939 or July 2003, any alumni can now get a university diploma.

Any student who has ever graduated from Missouri Southern now has the opportunity to purchase the new diplomas. For $20, any alumni can get a replacement or gift diploma.

Sandi Gieson, registrar, said many institutions will offer this option if the institution changes names. It is not mandatory for the University to do so.

The choice to do it at Southern was University President Julio León’s.

“Dr. León just wanted to do this as a courtesy to former students,” Gieson said.

The new diplomas will say when the alumni graduated and what the institution was called at the time, then when the University granted the new diploma. Gieson said Southern has to be “historically accurate” regarding the date, name of the institution and the alumni’s degrees.

She said her office has received about 100 requests for the new diplomas so far. She expects that number to continue to grow.

“I expect we’ll get quite a few,” Gieson said. “I can’t predict how many.”

Daniel Young graduated from Southern in December 1998. He has already ordered his replacement diploma, and he expects his wife will do the same soon. He plans to hang his new diploma alongside his old one.

“I thought it was a good idea,” Young said. “I thought it was a nice thing that they are offering.”

Lee Pound, alumni director, helps to promote the new opportunity through a public service announcement, newsletter and Homecoming. She also helps to make sure those that make the requests are satisfied.

“We make sure that everyone gets what they want to get,” Pound said.

Pound said she is really focusing on Homecoming. She said there will be registration tables set up on Oct. 10-11.

She thinks graduates want to get the new diplomas, because they are proud of the institution changing names.

“Everyone’s just so excited that we’ve been recognized at that level that they want to be a part of it,” Pound said.

She expects the most excited group to be those who have graduated within the last 10 years. Pound said this is because that time period was when the University was trying hardest to change its name.

To get the new diploma, persons need to pick up either a replacement diploma request or diploma gift certificate request form.

The form needs to be filled out and returned to the business office with the $20 fee. The form will then be forwarded to the registrar’s office, and then Pound will send out a letter of congratulations.

Gieson said it takes about 4-6 weeks from the time of the request for the alumni to get their new diplomas.

Pound said a request can’t be made over the phone because, according to state law, signatures are required by the alumni.