Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for Dec. 20, 2022

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Last week the Board of Governors approved a resolution renaming our main science building on campus (formerly known as Temple Hall) Roy Blunt Hall.

We also broke ground on the $80 million addition and renovation of the facility.

Blunt supports education and research

Sen. Roy Blunt has worked tirelessly in support of education, science and research on a national level.

He continuously demonstrated his high regard for higher education and its importance in today’s landscape. As the chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, Sen. Blunt championed funding increases for:

  • STEM and computer science education.
  • Apprenticeship programs.
  • TRIO.
  • And the Pell Grant program (including year-round Pell).

His legacy in Washington D.C. will undoubtedly be connected to his championing research in health and life sciences. Through his leadership role in Senate appropriations, Sen. Blunt:

  • Oversaw an increase in the budget for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) each year for seven years straight.
  • Added $15 billion to the NIH budget — an almost 50% increase.
  • Quintupled (5x) Alzheimer’s research funding, increasing federal investment by $2.5 billion.

Because of this support, the NIH recently named their Alzheimer’s research facility after Sen. Blunt.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend the dedication. Leaders from all over the world and from across the political spectrum attended and honored him. Democratic and Republican senators alike feted Sen. Blunt’s ardent support for research and the sciences.

NIH prepared a video summarizing remarks made at the ceremony. I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch it.

Blunt has continually supported MSU

Sen. Blunt’s legacy in Missouri will be connected to his support for Missouri State University.

Throughout his time in public office, Sen. Blunt has demonstrated extraordinary support for Missouri State University by advocating for significant federal investment in Missouri State’s academic and research missions and economic development operations.

That work culminated last year when he led efforts to appropriate more than $56 million to support health, life and physical science research, teaching, and facilities at MSU.

From that $56 million:

  • $3 million established an endowment to support CNAS faculty and research.
  • $50 million will finance the bulk of the work we started last week to reinvigorate the facility previously known as Temple Hall.

He’s not done yet. Sen. Blunt continues to work during his last weeks in the Senate for the appropriation of additional federal funds to further support CNAS facilities, faculty and research. I hope to be able to update you on that work very soon.

It is because of Sen. Blunt’s support for MSU and his support for science and research that the board voted to rename our primary science facility on campus Roy Blunt Hall.

Honoring Temple’s legacy

The facility was previously named after Mr. Allen P. Temple, and it is important that we continue Mr. Temple’s legacy.

Mr. Temple was the head of the university’s science department for nearly 40 years in the early 1900s. He was a pioneer in the field.

He was well-known as an enthusiast for advances in communications technology.

  • He was the first faculty member at MSU to use technological visual aids (e.g., slides, films, etc.) to assist his teaching in the classroom.
  • He was the driving force behind the university obtaining and using a wireless radio transmitter and receiver and establishing an AM radio station on campus that was operated by science faculty and students more than 50 years before KSMU came to campus.
  • He was also a pioneer with video technology, producing a documentary film called “College Life in the Ozarks” and showing various films in the college auditorium.

Mr. Temple will continue to be honored with a prominent display in the atrium of the current building. We will also name the atrium after Mr. Temple.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Dec. 13, 2022

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I am in the process of meeting individually with state legislators from our area to discuss our priorities for the coming year.

On Thursday I will update the Board of Governors on those priorities and provide them with copies of our legislative materials. You can find the content of our updated legislative materials on the Legislative Advocacy webpage as well as talking points and a form to join the MSU Legislative Network.

Priorities for this legislative session

We have three priorities this year.

Our first priority is to increase MSU’s operating appropriation. The coordinating board sent a request for a 7% core increase for all universities to Gov. Mike Parson. We are in regular communication with the Governor and staff in his office as they work to determine whether to include the CBHE request in Gov. Parson’s budget recommendations in January.

Our second priority is for our MoExcels project this year. That project will expand our construction management program and construct an addition to Kemper Hall for a construction management lab. The coordinating board included this request in their package of capital projects for the year, and we are advocating that it be included in the state’s budget.

Our third priority is for a $35 million one-time appropriation to partially fund the second phase of redeveloping our science facilities on campus — completing backfill renovations in Temple Hall, renovating Cheek Hall, and constructing a biomedical sciences lab in Kampeter Hall.

Board meeting set for Dec. 15

In addition to a legislative update, the board will have several important discussions and action items on Thursday.

In committee meetings:

  • Forvis will present the results of our annual external audit during the Risk Management and Audit Committee meeting.
  • We will update the board on the status of campus facilities projects during the Finance and Facilities Committee meeting.
  • We will have a preliminary discussion about changes to college and student fees at the Programs and Planning Committee meeting.

At the regular meeting, the board will recognize the six students being honored as Citizen Scholars this year:

  • Morgan Blanck
  • Samara Mizutani Cesar
  • Milana Hainline
  • Blake Rief
  • Lindsey Sanderson
  • Orlondo X. Williams

The board will also receive a presentation about the Paras to Professionals Pathways program and vote on a resolution to establish a Center for Rural Education in the College of Education.

The board will vote on a resolution to set an $80 million project budget and award a construction management at risk agreement to The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company for the addition and renovation of the building currently known as Temple Hall.

The board will also discuss and vote on a proposal to rename the building Roy Blunt Hall and to name the atrium in the existing facility after Allen P. Temple. Next week’s Clif’s Note will discuss this proposal in detail.

The board will receive an update from Zora Mulligan and John Jasinski on the university’s work to develop and implement a transformation plan.

The board will vote on an Executive Committee roster, and Gov. Chris Waters will announce other committee appointments for the coming calendar year. As the incoming chair, Gov. Waters will chair the Executive Committee.

Based on conversations with Gov. Waters, I anticipate Gov. Lynn Parman will chair the Finance and Facilities Committee, Gov. Ann Kampeter will chair the Programs and Planning Committee, and Gov. Anson Elliott will chair the Risk Management and Audit Committee.

Finally, the board will vote on resolutions recognizing board members whose terms expire at the end of December. These members include Gov. Amy Counts, Craig Frazier and Carol Silvey. I have enjoyed working with each of these members of our Board of Governors, and the university is better because of their service.

We remain in communication with Gov. Parson’s office about appointments for these board positions and the other vacant and expired positions on our board.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Dec. 6, 2022

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I am pleased to announce the creation of the Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts and Humanities. This new college combines the College for Humanities and Public Affairs with the Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts and Letters to create the 3rd largest college at the university.

The creation of the new college emphasizes the importance of humanities and the arts to the academic core of Missouri State – bucking a trend across higher education. It also reflects earlier structures in the university when Arts and Humanities was a single division, prior to the creation of colleges in 1985.

This is an exciting time for the university as the new college demonstrates our commitment to and continued support of the arts and humanities.

Our public affairs mission is an integral part of the curriculum across all colleges and programs and has never resided in just one college. It is our state mandated mission and will continue to be a key element of Missouri State’s identity.

Academic realignments are part of transformation process

Earlier this year, the university announced a major initiative to revitalize and transform academic affairs.

The changes will create a more agile organization, which can efficiently and effectively serve students in today’s academic environment — an environment that was dramatically transformed by the pandemic.

The merger of the two colleges is an important step in the realignment process. The new college becomes official July 1, 2023.

Between Jan. 5 and May 31, 2023, Deans Victor Matthews and Shawn Wahl will lead a transition team to prepare for the launch of the new college. They will focus on strengthening faculty teaching, research and service collaboration across the arts and humanities.

Ultimately, Dean Wahl will lead the new college. Dean Matthews announced his June 30, 2023, retirement earlier this year.

A website with additional information regarding the new college and additional academic realignment is available. It provides opportunities for input, dates for public forums and a timeline for the processes.

Missouri State University is a valued institution in the state and well beyond. Our goal is to continue to build on its innovative spirit and strengths as we head into the future.

As I noted above, this and other enrollment management changes are the first of more to come through the work of Zora and John. I value the new leadership, energy and ideas they have brought to the university.

Thanks for all you do.

Clif’s Notes for Nov. 29, 2022

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In Washington, D.C., Congress will begin a new legislative session on Jan. 3.

In Jefferson City, the General Assembly will begin a new legislative session on Jan. 4.

Preparations for these critical dates are underway.

This week, our federal lobbying team is on campus meeting with the leadership team, discussing projects and other funding proposals, and familiarizing themselves with our operations. Similarly, in two weeks, our state lobbying team will be on campus.

Throughout December, we will finalize priorities, create white papers and other materials, and develop strategies to advocate for MSU in Washington and Jefferson City. We will also meet with legislators to begin laying the groundwork for success in the legislature.

I hope you will join me in advancing MSU’s interests in the state and federal capitols by:

  • Attending the MSU State Legislative Briefing at 10 a.m. Dec. 9 in the Traywick Parliamentary Room (PSU 313). Please email rsvp@missouristate.edu if you plan to attend.
  • Signing up for the MSU Legislative Network to receive updates, talking points, advocacy tips, requests for grassroots help and other information as the legislative sessions in Washington and Jefferson City progress.
  • Emailing president@missouristate.edu if you have specific grant requests, projects for potential funding or other items for which you would like our team to consider advocating.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Nov. 15, 2022

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Dec. 1 is an important date for all full-time faculty and staff at MSU.

Complete open enrollment now

First, Dec. 1 is the deadline to complete open enrollment for your employee benefits. Open enrollment is the annual period during which you can elect, decline or make changes to your medical, dental, vision and cafeteria/flexible spending plans for the coming calendar year.

You can find more information about open enrollment, including instructions for how to complete open enrollment online or over the phone, on the open enrollment webpage.

Reduce your health insurance premiums

Dec. 1 is also the deadline to save up to $360 on your annual health insurance premiums.

This year’s wellness incentive includes the following vaccination combination:

  • COVID bivalent (or original series if not previously completed; or prior booster) vaccination qualifies for $15 per month discount.
  • Seasonal flu vaccination qualifies for $15 per month discount.

Both vaccinations must be completed in 2022 and prior to Dec. 1 to qualify.

Employees who did not complete their vaccination at Magers Health and Wellness Center must contact Magers to submit their vaccination information before Dec. 1 to qualify for the discount.

Recognizing MSU Way and United Way donors

I also wanted to take a moment to recognize the contributions by our university community as part of the United Way and Missouri State Way campaigns.

Through these campaigns, the university community raised $67,989.56 for the United Way and $405,199 for the Missouri State University Foundation.

I want to personally thank each of you who participated in the United Way campaign. Please join me in congratulating our employees who gave to the campaign at the Leadership Level.

  • James Baker
  • Richard N. Biagioni
  • Bradley V. Bodenhausen
  • Tara L. Boehne
  • Jeffery S. Coiner
  • William Paul Deal
  • Ryan T. DeBoef
  • Frank Einhellig
  • Stephen C. Foucart
  • Terrel A. Gallaway
  • David A. Hall
  • John Havel
  • Brian D. Heaton
  • Tamera S. Jahnke
  • Grant P. Jones
  • Rachel A. Knight
  • Allen D. Kunkel
  • Julie J. Masterson
  • Victor H. Matthews
  • Theresa A. McCoy
  • Natalie B. McNish
  • David B. Meinert
  • Michael W. Merrigan
  • Kyle L. Moats
  • Matthew D. Morris
  • James Moyer
  • Zora Mulligan
  • Sarah B. Nixon
  • Joye H. Norris
  • Thomas A. Peters
  • Barbara Susan Robinson
  • Jennifer R. Severson
  • Margaret Suzanne Shaw
  • Don Simpson
  • Denita Siscoe
  • Priscilla K. Skeeters
  • Clifton M. Smart
  • Elizabeth C. Strong
  • Rebecca Swearingen
  • Robert Thurman
  • Barri Tinkler
  • Paula M Wilhelm

I also want to personally thank each of you who participated in the Missouri State Way campaign. All university community members who contribute to the foundation this fiscal year will be invited to a special gathering 3-5 p.m. May 12 at Tent Theatre. Mark your calendars now.

Please join me in congratulating our current employees who are members of the Founders Club.

  • Gib Adkins
  • Craig Albin
  • Cynthia Aurentz
  • Randy Bass
  • Samuel Bass
  • Tracy Beckham
  • Stephen C. Berkwitz
  • Theresa Bettmann
  • Richard Biagioni
  • Tara Boehne
  • Eric Bosch
  • Chuck Busby
  • Cindy Busby
  • Lisa Casey
  • John F. Chuchiak
  • Angie Cockrum
  • Julie Combs
  • David Mark Cornelison
  • Ryan DeBoef
  • Rachael Dockery
  • Toby Dogwiler
  • Brent Dunn
  • Monika Feeney
  • Wendy Ferguson
  • Steve Foucart
  • Cindy Fulp
  • Rob Fulp
  • Julie Gallaway
  • Terrel Gallaway
  • Douglas Gouzie
  • Brian Greene
  • David Hall
  • Jill Heyboer
  • Marcia Himes
  • Cynthia Howell
  • Danae Hudson
  • Michelle Hulett
  • Tammy Jahnke
  • Kurt Killion
  • Rachel Knight
  • Allen Kunkel
  • Cameron LaBarr
  • Dennis Lancaster
  • Jill Layman
  • Jon Leamy
  • Jill Martin
  • Robert Martin
  • Jerry Masterson
  • Julie Masterson
  • Victor Matthews
  • Jennifer McNay
  • Dave Meinert
  • Carol Miller
  • Kyle Moats
  • Eric Morris
  • Matt Morris
  • Taleyna Morris
  • Zora Mulligan
  • Eric Nelson
  • Tom Peters
  • Angela Pinegar
  • John Prescott
  • Gay Ragan
  • Kent Ragan
  • Philip Rothschild
  • Elizabeth Rozell
  • Christina Ryder
  • Pam Sailors
  • Alan Schick
  • Karl Schmidt
  • Kishor Shah
  • Suzanne Shaw
  • Dee Siscoe
  • Jeanie Skibiski
  • Clif Smart
  • Brenda Smith
  • Elizabeth Strong
  • John Strong
  • Becky Swearingen
  • Mark Templeton
  • Alan Tinkler
  • Barri Tinkler
  • Shawn Wahl
  • Brooke Whisenhunt

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!