Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for Oct. 22, 2019

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Homecoming is one of my favorite times on campus. Alumni return and students cheer at pep rallies and competitions, build parade floats and participate in a variety of activities to create their own memories of Missouri State.

I encourage all members of the campus community to participate in Homecoming activities this week. Highlights include:

Join us for It’s On!

After the football game, join us at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts for an epic surprise event—It’s On! Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be a HUGE announcement from actor and Missouri State alumnus, John Goodman. After the big reveal, the party moves to the heart of campus for a food truck fair, fireworks, entertainment and more.

All attendees will receive $8 in Bear Bucks to cash in at an array of food truck vendors parked on campus. The first 500 people will receive free t-shirts and all attendees will receive swag bags.

You can find more information on the website.

Board of Governors meets Friday

Before we cheer on the Bears and celebrate It’s On!, the Board of Governors will meet on Friday. Highlights for their meeting include:

  • Receiving presentations about the online speech therapy program operated by an alum, Greenwood Laboratory School and this year’s What’s New at MSU video
  • Authorizing bond refinancing terms that will result in a net savings to the university of more than $1 million
  • Voting on changes to the university Housing Policy
  • Electing 2020 board officers

The main discussion topic at the board meeting will be results from the climate survey we administered in spring 2019. I will update you on those results and the board’s discussion next week.

Wall of Fame inductees

Following the board meeting, we will welcome new inductees to the university’s Wall of Fame at 4 p.m. in the PSU Ballroom. The Wall of Fame honors former faculty and staff members who significantly contributed to the success and positive experience of students.

This year’s inductees are:

  • Earle Doman
  • Neosha Mackey
  • Virginia Mee
  • Linda Pettijohn
  • Denny Pilant
  • Burnie Snodgrass

You can find more information about these individuals in the university’s press release.

I hope you will join me in congratulating these six inductees.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Oct. 16, 2018

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Homecoming is one of my favorite times on campus. Alumni return and students cheer at pep rallies and competitions, build parade floats and participate in a variety of activities to create their own memories of Missouri State.

I encourage all members of the campus community to support our alumni and students by participating in Homecoming activities this week. Highlights include:

Saturday begins with the Homecoming Parade at 9 a.m. on John Q. Hammons Parkway, followed by Breakfast with Boomer at 10 a.m. in Meyer Library. Men’s and women’s basketball scrimmages will also begin at 10 a.m. in JQH Arena.

Pregame festivities in Bearfest Village will start shortly after the parade. Kickoff for the Bears football game against Western Illinois State University is at 2 p.m. I hope you will attend the game and cheer on the Bears to victory.

The full list of alumni and student Homecoming activities can be found online.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Oct. 24, 2017

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Homecoming is one of my favorite times on campus. Alumni return to remember. Students cheer at pep rallies and competitions, build parade floats and participate in a vast array of activities to create their own memories of Missouri State.

I encourage all members of the campus community to support our alumni and students by participating in Homecoming activities this week. Highlights include:

Saturday begins with the Homecoming Parade at 9 a.m. on John Q. Hammons Parkway. Pre-game festivities in Bearfest Village start after the parade. The men’s and women’s basketball teams will scrimmage at 10 a.m. in JQH Arena. Kickoff for the Bears football game against Indiana State is at 2 p.m. I hope you will attend the game and cheer on the Bears to victory.

The full list of alumni and student Homecoming activities can be found online.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Oct. 17, 2017

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We recently announced that the touring production of “The Lion King” will come to Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts in February 2019. You don’t have to wait until next year to see outstanding productions on campus.

The touring production of “Rent” will be at Hammons Hall on Oct. 27-28. “Rent: chronicles an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online.

Meanwhile, the Missouri State theatre and dance department will produce “Pippin,” a story of a young prince who longs to find passion and adventure in his life, Oct. 26-29 in the Craig Hall Coger Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online ().

The Hammons Hall Broadway Series will kickoff in December. Productions include:

  • “Chicago” (Dec. 5–7)
  • “The Sound of Music“ (Jan. 9–11)
  • “Kinky Boots” (March 20–22)
  • “The Phantom of the Opera” (May 23–June 3)

If you haven’t subscribed to the Broadway Series in recent years, this lineup presents a good opportunity to consider resubscribing. You can purchase your Broadway Series subscription online.

Show your pride during Homecoming

Next week is Homecoming. As the campus buzzes with student and alumni activities, please take a moment to consider participating in several other events.

On Monday, Oct. 23, the annual office decorating contest will go from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The deadline to sign up is tomorrow, Oct. 18.  You can sign up online.

On Friday, Oct. 27, following the Board of Governors meeting, we will have our annual Wall of Fame induction ceremony at 4 p.m. in the Plaster Student Union Ballroom. This year’s inductees are:

  • John Bowdidge
  • John Catau
  • Marilyn Chana
  • Bruce Johnson
  • Mike McElhaney
  • Sally Rowe

You can find more information about the Wall of Fame and this year’s inductees in the university’s Wall of Fame news release.

On Oct. 28, before the Bears Homecoming football game against Indiana State, the men’s and women’s basketball teams will scrimmage at 10 a.m. in JQH Arena.  Come out and see our new and returning student athletes.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Aug. 22, 2017

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As you know, classes started yesterday. I am happy to report that our opening day enrollment shows an increase of 244 students over last year’s opening day enrollment number. This represents an increase of 1.2 percent.

The official census count is made after the fourth week of class, and I will update you again on the status of our enrollment at that time. I will also discuss enrollment data as part of my State of the University Address at 12:15 p.m. on Sept. 25 in the PSU Theater.

Connect with Bears at campus activities

As we start the semester, I hope you will join me in interacting with our new and returning students. We want all students to feel welcome at the university.

There are several opportunities for you to interact with students and others throughout the fall semester:

Please attend some or all of these events and show your support for our students and our university.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!