commencement Archives - Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for Aug. 1, 2017

August 1, 2017 by Clif Smart

Please join me in congratulating our graduates at the summer commencement ceremony on Friday at 10 a.m. in JQH Arena.

Congratulations #BearGrads

We will award 236 bachelor’s degrees and 254 graduate degrees — 15 of which are doctorates. Ken McClure, the mayor of the City of Springfield, will speak at the ceremony. He is a Missouri State alum and retired as the university’s vice president for administrative and information services in 2015.

One of the efficiency measures we implemented during last year’s budgeting process involves eliminating summer commencement. Accordingly, this week’s ceremony will be our last summer commencement at Missouri State. This makes it more important than ever that we show our support and attend the ceremony.

In future years, students who would have ordinarily participated in summer commencement will have broad discretion to decide whether they want to participate in commencement the preceding May or wait until the subsequent December. Work is underway by a group of faculty, staff and administrators to develop a set of parameters to guide students (as well as the faculty, staff and administrators that assist them) as they make this important decision in future years.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for May 16, 2017

May 16, 2017 by Clif Smart

On Friday, we will graduate 2,651 students at three commencement ceremonies in JQH Arena.

Inspiring our graduates

We are honored to feature three outstanding alumni and supporters of Missouri State University as commencement speakers.

Sara Lampe, a former state representative and life-long educator, will receive Missouri State’s 21st honorary doctorate. She will speak at the 1:30 p.m. ceremony. Brad Thomas, the president of Silver Dollar City Attractions, will speak at the 10 a.m. ceremony. Nancy Rahmeyer, a judge on the Missouri Court of Appeals, will speak at the 5 p.m. cerermony.

We will hold another commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday in West Plains. At this ceremony, 257 students will graduate, and United States Air Force Lt. Col. Samuel K. Joplin will give the keynote address.

Please join me in congratulating each of our graduates on a job well done in completing their course work at Missouri State. I am excited to see the great things they will accomplish in the next chapter of their lives.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Dec. 13, 2016

December 13, 2016 by Clif Smart

I want to update you on a positive development.

Good news for Glass

Last Wednesday, Governor Jay Nixon came to campus to announce that he is releasing the $1.875 million that has been withheld from the Glass Hall project. We couldn’t be more ecstatic about this decision. The withholding required us to modify the work to be completed in Glass Hall. With these released funds, additional work will be completed to further update and repair the home to the largest public business school in the central Midwest.

This is another example of Governor Nixon’s efforts to prioritize higher education during his term in office. I want to thank Governor Nixon and his staff for all of their contributions to Missouri State University and the State of Missouri.

Governor Nixon’s release of the Glass Hall funds is especially good news because of the state of Missouri’s revenue shortfall and dim budget projections for next year. As we move into legislative session in January, I will keep you informed about the status of state appropriations and the university’s budgeting process.

Congratulate our graduates

On Friday the university will award 1,476 degrees at fall commencement. Please join me in celebrating our graduates’ accomplishments at two commencement ceremonies — one at 10 a.m. and the other at 1:30 p.m. — in JQH Arena.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Aug. 2, 2016

August 2, 2016 by Clif Smart

Last week the Board of Governors had its annual planning retreat at Shealy Farm. The Board spent a great deal of time providing input on the university’s action plan for the coming year as well as the focus areas and measurable goals that will guide us as we implement the long-range plan over the next five years. Once we have finalized these documents, I will discuss them in a later edition of Clif’s Notes.

In the meantime, I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight several other important discussions and action items from the retreat.

Reflecting on an outstanding year

The Board received year-end reports from the Foundation and from the office of research administration. The university had a record-breaking year, receiving nearly $25 million in grants and contracts for sponsored research and programs.

The university also had another great year for private support through the Foundation, receiving more than $18 million in gifts. These two sources represent $43 million in external support for our university.

The Board received an update on the rebranding campaign and discussed the way data directs our marketing strategies. You can find more information about the university’s brand and the status of the rebranding campaign on the brand website.

The Board’s major action item was to award the contract for the renovation of Ellis Hall to the lowest bidder, Carson-Mitchell, Inc. The contract provides for the completion of the project by fall 2017 as scheduled and within the budget established by the university.

After the retreat, members of our Board of Governors joined faculty and administrators to congratulate our newest graduates at the summer commencement ceremony. I am happy to report that we awarded 576 degrees, approximately half of which were master’s and doctoral degrees.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for May 10, 2016

May 10, 2016 by Clif Smart

On Friday, we will graduate 2,424 students at three commencement ceremonies in JQH Arena.

Commencement is time for celebration

Abram “Abe” McGull, II, a retired U.S. Navy commander who has dedicated his life to public service, is the featured speaker for the 10 a.m. ceremony.
Students graduating at 1:30 p.m. will hear from MSU alumnus Gen. Frank J. Grass who currently serves as the 27th Chief, National Guard Bureau and as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Dr. John Bentley, who will receive an honorary doctorate for his extraordinary achievements in public affairs, is the featured speaker for the 5 p.m. ceremony.

On Saturday we will hold another commencement ceremony on the West Plains campus.

I want to personally congratulate each of our graduates on a job well done in completing their coursework at Missouri State. I am excited to see the great things each of our new graduates will accomplish in the next chapter of their lives.

Commencement provides us with an important opportunity to celebrate the successes of our graduates. It is a reminder that each of our students makes their Missouri Statement in their own way. I want to take a moment as we finish this year to spotlight a few of our students and celebrate all of our students’ differences.

Spencer Martin

Spencer Martin is the first Missouri State student ever to win the Science, Mathematics and Research award for Transformation, called SMART, from the Department of Defense. In exchange for two years of service with the Department of Defense, SMART awardees receive money for tuition and some college expenses. What is perhaps even better than the money, Martin said, is that winners have a guaranteed internship each summer. His duties at the United States Naval Oceanographic Office in Mississippi will include writing software.

“I’ll go work for that facility full-time after college. It’s basically a guaranteed job, which is awesome. After two years I can either stay in the government or start working in the private sector.” At MSU, he not only applied for the very competitive award, he decided to join a fraternity and become a leader in student government. “My favorite part thing about Missouri State is that you get a lot of opportunities for involvement and leadership. I definitely found a lot of people around me, including professors, who encouraged me or pushed me. Missouri State helped me to dare to excel.”

T-Asia Mays

Watching her mother graduate with an associate’s degree during her senior year of high school inspired St. Louis native T-Asia Mays to continue her own education at Missouri State University. Once on campus, Mays found a way to turn her love of animals into a career through the animal science program in the William H. Darr School of Agriculture.

“My passion for animals followed me here,” Mays said. “My goal is to become an animal nutritionist and make feeds.” Outside of the classroom, Mays has been able to gain experience through her involvement in Sigma Alpha, a service sorority that promotes women in agriculture, Collegiate FFA, Residence Hall Association and Student Government Association. “Within the organizations I’m a part of I have the chance to give back to the community by volunteering,” Mays said. “It’s important for me to give back to my community; even though I don’t have a lot, I can give my time to help others.”

Caitlin Shukwit

Former gymnast Caitlin Shukwit’s passion is moving, whether that’s dancing in Craig Hall, competing as a contestant on “American Ninja Warrior” or walking backwards while guiding tour groups as the president of University Ambassadors. “I also want people moving me emotionally and mentally, and hopefully to be moving other people.”

The self-labeled Type A super-involved student was diagnosed at age 9 with Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder. “I am an open book about it. To me, it’s humorous, you know? Yes, it stinks, and yes, it’s so hard to deal with sometimes. But everywhere I went here, I found supportive friends.” When she graduates in May, she’ll feel like she “pulled every last detail and experience out of Missouri State that I can. I’ll remember all the leadership opportunities and the experiences that just really set me up for some really cool things in my life. It’s important to be serious about school and learn to be professional, but I also want to have fun and be happy every day. You find that balance at Missouri State.”

Read more unique stories about Missouri State students, faculty and staff.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!