Bertie Ora Cleino

Miss Bertie Ora Cleino graduated from Maplewood High School in St. Louis County. She entered Southeast Missouri State University in 1933, earning her collegiate expenses by serving in various capacities in administrative offices. She began as a student assistant to the Secretary for the President, and became the President’s secretary two years later. She also served as secretary to the Board of Regents. After completing her BS degree in Elementary Education, she earned her MA degree from Missouri University, returning to SEMO to become Director of Placement for graduates and Alumni Secretary. After retirement, she moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and lived near her brother, who was a professor at the University of Alabama. She continued in the education field by teaching English to dependents of foreign students of the University of Alabama. She died in 2004 at the age of 93.