missouri state way Archives - Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for Jan. 15, 2019

January 15, 2019 by Clif Smart

Last week, we honored staff members at the annual Staff Awards Luncheon. The university individually recognized staff who achieved service anniversaries of five years or more. We also recognized employees who received the Staff Excellence in University Service Award and the Staff Excellence in Community Service Award.

Beyond the job description

The university gives the Staff Excellence in University Service Award staff members in recognition of significant contributions to the university community. This year’s recipients are:

Mary Barnhart, facilities management – custodial
Mary Lynne Golden, provost’s office
Chris Nagle, visual media
MJ Perryman, facilities management – maintenance
Erica Puckett, admissions – West Plains
Marianne Stanley, computer services

From left to right: Mary Barnhart, Marianne Stanley, Chris Nagle, MJ Perryman, Erica Puckett, Mary Lynne Golden

Public affairs in action

The Staff Excellence in Community Service Award recognizes two staff members for their service to the community through volunteer work with charitable, nonprofit, religious or similar organizations. This year’s recipients are:

A’dja Jones, Wynn Academic Achievement Center
Linda Steinshouer, School of Social Work

From left to right: Linda Steinshouer and A’dja Jones

Minimum wage in Missouri

On Nov. 6, Missouri voters approved a change to the minimum wage rate for private employers. The new minimum wage rate is $8.60 per hour and will increase by 85 cents per hour each year through 2023.

At Missouri State, all of our full-time employees already make more than the new minimum wage. The law does not apply to public employers such as Missouri State. However we have formed a work group to evaluate how to move forward with regard to part-time and student employees who are paid less than the new minimum wage.

We will make a decision for our part-time and student employees before July 1, the beginning of next fiscal year.

Thank you for giving

Before winter break we completed our Missouri State Way and United Way giving campaigns.

I am proud to report that the university community raised $89,005 for the United Way and $286,183 for the Missouri State University Foundation through these campaigns. This surpasses last year’s totals for both campaigns.

I want to personally thank each of you who participated in the United Way campaign. Please join me in congratulating those who contributed at the leadership level.

Jodie Adams
James Baker
Charlene Berquist
Richard Biagioni
Bradley Bodenhausen
Lanette Cadle
William Cheek
Donna Christian
Ryan DeBoef
Steven Dodge
Janice Duncan
Frank Einhellig
Tamaria Few
Stephen Foucart
Terrel Gallaway
Kristan Gochenauer
Mary Lynne Golden
Arthur Hains
David Hall
John Harms
Jonathan and Kellie Harper
Brian Heaton
Karen Horny
Tamera Jahnke
Grant Jones
Allen Kunkel
Thomas Lane
Julie Masterson
Victor Matthews
John and Sally McAlear
Charles McClure
Theresa McCoy
Natalie McNish
David Meinert
Michael Merrigan
Kyle Moats
Matthew Morris
Jeff Morrissey
James Moyer
David Muegge
Sarah Nixon
Thomas Peters
Wes Pratt
Tami Reed
Barbara Robinson
Jennifer Severson
Suzanne Shaw
Don Simpson
Dee Siscoe
Priscilla Skeeters
Clif Smart
Rebecca Swearingen
Robert and Dorothy Thurman
Paula Wilhelm
Ying Zhang

I also want to personally thank each of you who participated in the Missouri State Way campaign. Please join me in congratulating our current employees who are members of the Founders Club.

Jodie Adams
Gib G. Adkins, Jr.
Rickey Albaugh
Cindi Aurentz
James Baker
Randy J. Bass
Samuel Bass
Tracy Beckham
Stephen C. Berkwitz
Charlene Berquist
Richard Biagioni
Tara Boehne
Eric Bosch
John Stanley Bourhis
Chuck Busby
Cindy Busby
Lisa Casey
John F. Chuchiak, IV
Lisa Dewoody Clark
Angie Cockrum
Julie Combs
David M. Cornelison
Ryan DeBoef
Rachael Dockery
Toby J. Dogwiler
Janice R. Duncan
Brent Dunn
Frank Einhellig
Susan W. Essman
Lori Fan
Monika Feeney
Wendy Ferguson
Stephen Foucart
Julie Gallaway
Terrel Gallaway
Douglas Gouzie
Brian D. Greene
Janice S. Greene
Stephanie Hein
Michelle J. Hulett
Tamera Jahnke
Cheryl G. Jones
Robert G. Jones
Kurt Killion
Allen Kunkel
Cameron LaBarr
Dennis Lancaster
Shirley A. Lawler
Jill K. Layman
Diane Leamy
Jon Leamy
Day Ligon
E. Llewellyn
Jill Martin
Robert J. Martin
Gerald Masterson
Julie Masterson
Victor Matthews
David Meinert
Eric Morris
Sue Morris
Matthew Morris
Taleyna Morris
Jeff Morrissey
David Muegge
Thomas Peters
Sophie Pierpoint
Angela Pinegar
John Prescott
Kathy J. Pulley
Gay Ann Ragan
Kent P. Ragan
Helen Reid
Philip Rothschild
Elizabeth Rozell
Christina Ryder
Alan Schick
Karl Schmidt
Kishor Shah
Suzanne Shaw
Dee Siscoe
Jeanie Skibiski
Clif Smart
Gary Stewart
John T. Strong
Rebecca Swearingen
Mark Templeton
Ken Vollmar
Annette Wardell
Tammy Wiley
Dick Williams

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Nov. 28, 2017

November 28, 2017 by Clif Smart

The Board of Governors met before Thanksgiving break and acted on three important items.

First, the board took the first step toward refunding $38 million in revenue bonds that originally financed several auxiliary projects. The bonds will be refunded at a lower interest rate, saving the university $2.7 million over the next 18 years. I want to give a special thanks to Steve Foucart and his team for identifying this opportunity to continue Missouri State’s leadership on efficiency.

Second, the board awarded a vendor contract for reinsurance (stop-loss) coverage under the university’s health plan. Under this contract, the university will not have an increase in its reinsurance premium even though insurance costs continue to rise throughout the country. This procurement process was very involved, and I want to thank everyone engaged in this process for achieving a successful result.

Third, the board awarded a contract for work on the locker rooms in Greenwood Laboratory School. The project is being funded entirely through private donations and university reserves. No operational funds will be used to pay for this project.

Thank you for contributing

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 $88,144.20 for the United Way and $262,643.78 for the Missouri State University Foundation. The Missouri State Way campaign exceeded its fundraising target. Unfortunately, the United Way campaign did not reach its target. Regardless, the impact of these campaigns on our university and the greater community is astounding.

United Way Leadership Level

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.

Jodie Adams
Jim Baker
Charlene Berquist
Richard Biagioni
Bradley Bodenhausen
Stephanie M. Bryant
Lanette Cadle
William Cheek
Donna Christian
Ryan DeBoef
Steven Dodge
Janice R. Duncan
Frank Einhellig
Scott Embretson
Renee Fogle
Steve Foucart
Terrel Gallaway
David Hall
John Harms
Jonathan and Kellie Harper
Brian Heaton
Karen Horney
Tammy Jahnke
Grant Jones
Allen Kunkel
Thomas Lane
Julie Masterson
Victor H. Matthews
Charles McClure
Mary McManus
David Meinert
Michael Merrigan
Kyle Moats
Matthew D. Morris
Jeff P. Morrissey
James Moyer
David Muegge
Sarah Nixon
Tom Peters
Wes Pratt
Tamara Reed
Barbara Robinson
Jennifer Severson
M. Suzanne Shaw
Donald Simpson
Dee Siscoe
Priscilla Skeeters
Clif Smart
Rebecca Swearingen
Jeffrey Switzer
Robert Thurman
Paula Wilhelm
Ying Zhang

Missouri State University Foundation Founders Club

I also want to personally thank each of you who participated in the Missouri State Way campaign. Please join me in congratulating our current employees who are members of the Founders Club.

Jodie Adams
Gib Adkins
Rickey Albaugh
Nancy Allen
Jim Baker
Randy J. Bass
Samuel Bass
Tracy Beckham
Drew Bennett
Steven C. Berkwitz
Charlene Berquist
Tara Boehne
Eric Bosch
John Stanley Bourhis
Stephanie M. Bryant
Chuck Busby
Cindy Busby
Sandra D. Byrd
Lisa Casey
John F. Chuchiak, IV
Lisa Dewoody Clark
Angie Cockrum
Julie Combs
David Mark Cornelison
Melissa Dallas
Ryan DeBoef
Rachael Dockery
Toby Dogwiler
Janice R. Duncan
Brent Dunn
Frank Einhellig
Susan W. Essman
Lori Winters Fan
Monika Feeney
Wendy Ferguson
Steve Foucart
Julie Gallaway
Terrel Gallaway
Douglas Gouzie
Brian D. Greene
Janice Greene
Shellee D. Haik
Stephanie Hein
Tammy Jahnke
Cheryl Jones
Robert G. Jones
Kurt Killion
Allen Kunkel
Cameron LaBarr
Dennis Lancaster
Jill K. Layman
Diane Leamy
John Leamy
Cynthia Libby
Day Ligon
JE Llewellyn
Jill Martin
Robert J. Martin
Gerald Masterson
Julie Masterson
Victor H. Matthews
Belinda R. McCarthy
Bernard J. McCarthy
Eric Morris
Sue (Biglieni) Morris
Matthew D. Morris
Taleyna Morris
Jeff P. Morrissey
David Muegge
Tom Peters
Sophie Pierpoint
Angela Pinegar
John Prescott
Kathy J. Pulley
Gay Ann Ragan
Kent P. Ragan
Helen Reid
Philip Rothschild
Elizabeth Rozell
Christina Ryder
G. Alan Schick
Karl Schmidt
Kishor Shah
M. Suzanne Shaw
Dee Siscoe
Jeanie Skibiski
Clif Smart
John T. Strong
Rebecca Swearingen
Mark Templeton
Ken Vollmar
M. Annette Wardell
Tammy Wiley
Dick Williams

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes Oct. 10, 2017

October 10, 2017 by Clif Smart

The Missouri State Way and United Way Campaigns have kicked off and will continue through Nov. 8. Missouri State University faculty and staff make an incredible difference on our campus and in our community by participating in these campaigns.

Campaign packets have been distributed in campus mail. You can also find information about the campaigns on the Missouri State Way and United Way webpage. Please join me in completing and submitting the contribution forms to participate in these campaigns.

After you complete your forms, please plan to attend the free Celebration Luncheon at noon on Nov. 8 in the PSU Ballroom. I look forward to seeing you there!

Open enrollment time

Our open enrollment period for employee benefits began last week. All benefit-eligible employees are encouraged to go through the open enrollment process to elect, decline, make changes and review the benefits that we offer at Missouri State. You might be surprised by what we offer for you and your dependents:

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Cafeteria plan
Supplemental life insurance
Group universal life insurance
Critical illness insurance
Accident insurance

Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, and long-term disability are 100 percent paid for by the university.

It’s important to take action now – the deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 1. Once elections or changes have been made, no changes can be made during the year unless they are due to a qualifying event (e.g. marriage, divorce, birth, etc.).

We encourage you to go through the enrollment process even if you plan to keep what you currently have. Not taking any action could result in the possibility of you having the incorrect benefits and deductions.

To begin the enrollment process, access the open enrollment page or call 877-282-0808 to enroll.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Nov. 15, 2016

November 15, 2016 by Clif Smart

The election is behind us, and our elected leaders will soon be sworn into office. I want to take a moment to congratulate our newly elected and re-elected leaders. We look forward to working with them.

Engaging the civic leaders

We interacted with representatives for all of the major candidates throughout the election cycle.

We have continued these interactions in the week since the election. For example, we are in communications with Governor-elect Greitens’ office to discuss budget development for the upcoming fiscal year.

We have strong relationships with each of our elected leaders, and I firmly believe we will have great success in joining together to move Missouri State University, our state and our nation forward in the coming years.

We live in a great country where the peaceful transfer of power is treated with respect and admired throughout the world. As we prepare for this transition, Missouri State will continue to move forward with our focus on diversity and inclusion not only as a part of our strategic plan, but also as an integral part of working and studying together in a respectful way each and every day.

Get involved in the community

Community engagement is an important pillar of our public affairs mission.

Throughout this week, we will put that pillar into practice with our annual community engagement project, a signature public affairs event.

We are calling this year’s project Bear Blitz, and it will focus on a weeklong series of public service activities in northwest Springfield. You can find more information or sign up for a specific project on the Bear Blitz website.

Giving back

Last week marked the end of the United Way and Missouri State Way campaigns.

Through these campaigns, the university community raised $95,030 for the United Way and $206,429 for the Missouri State University Foundation.

The United Way serves the neediest of our neighbors in Springfield and in the Ozarks.

The Missouri State Way campaign provides an opportunity for all members of the campus community to support the areas of the University that are most important to them.

United Way Leadership Level

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
Drew Bennett
Charlene Berquist
Richard Biagioni
Bradley Bodenhausen
Matthew Bolger
Stephanie Bryant
Lanette Cadle
William Cheek
Donna Christian
Ethel Curbow
Ryan DeBoef
Steven Dodge
Janice Duncan
Frank Einhellig
Renee Fogle
Steve Foucart
Gloria Galanes
Terrel Gallaway
John Harms
Brian Heaton
Kathryn Hope
Karen Horny
Tammy Jahnke
Mary Jennings
Grant Jones
Allen Kunkel
Thomas Lane
Julie Masterson
Victor Matthews
John and Sally McAlear
Charles McClure
Tina McManus
David Meinert
Michael Merrigan
Kyle Moats
Matt Morris
Jeff Morrissey
James Moyer
Frederick Muegge
Sarah Nixon
Tom Peters
Wes Pratt
Tami Reed
Barbara Robinson
Jennifer Severson
Suzanne Shaw
Donald Simpson
Dee Siscoe
Priscilla Skeeters
Clif Smart
Rebecca Swearingen
Jeffrey Switzer
Robert Thurman
Thomas Tomasi
Paula Wilhelm
Ying Zhang

Missouri State University Foundation Founders Club

I also want to personally thank each of you who participated in the Missouri State Way campaign. Please join me in congratulating our current employees who are members of the Founders Club.

Jodie Adams
Gib Adkins
Rickey Albaugh
Nancy Allen
James Baker
Randy Bass
Samuel Bass
Tracy Beckham
Drew Bennett
Stephen Berkwitz
Charlene Berquist
Theresa Bettmann
Tara Boehne
John Bourhis
Stephanie Bryant
Steven Bullard
Chuck Busby
Cindy Busby
Sandra Byrd
Lisa Casey
John Chuchiak
Lisa Clark
Lynn Cline
Angela Cockrum
Julie Combs
David Cornelison
Melissa Dallas
Sandy D’Angelo
Ryan DeBoef
Rachael Dockery
Toby Dogwiler
Roger Dowdy
Janice Duncan
Brent Dunn
Frank Einhellig
Susan Essman
Lori Fan
Monika Feeney
Wendy Ferguson
Steve Foucart
Gloria Galanes
Julie Gallaway
Terrel Gallaway
Melanie Grand
Brian Greene
Janice Greene
Shellee Haik
Stephanie Hein
Madeleine Hooper
Kathryn Hope
Tammy Jahnke
Cheryl Jones
Robert Jones
John Killion
Allen Kunkel
Diane Leamy
Jon Leamy
Cynthia Green Libby
Day Ligon
John Llewellyn
Jill Martin
Robert Martin
Gerald Masterson
Julie Masterson
Victor Matthews
Belinda McCarthy
Bernard McCarthy
Keri McKee
Jonna Montileone
Eric Morris
Sue Morris
Matt Morris
Jeff Morrissey
Dave Muegge
Donald Wendell Northrip
Tom Peters
Sophie Pierpoint
Angela Pinegar
John Prescott
Kathy Pulley
Gay Ragan
Kent Ragan
Helen Reid
Philip Rothschild
Michele Rowe
Elizabeth Rozell
Christina Ryder
Alan Schick
Karl Schmidt
Kishor Shah
Suzanne Shaw
Dee Siscoe
Jeanie Skibiski
Clif Smart
Karen Smith
Gary Stewart
John Strong
Rebecca Swearingen
Mark Templeton
Kenneth Vollmar
Annette Wardell
Tammy Wiley
John Williams

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Oct. 11, 2016

October 11, 2016 by Clif Smart

This week I want to highlight several important events on campus.

United Way/Missouri State Way

The Missouri State Way and United Way Campaigns kicked off last week. The campaigns will run through Nov. 4. Missouri State University faculty and staff make an incredible difference on our campus and in our community through participation in these two campaigns.

Campaign packets have been distributed in campus mail. You can also find information about the campaigns on the Missouri State Way and United Way webpage. Please join me in participating by completing and submitting the contribution forms.

After you complete your contributions forms, please plan to attend the Celebration Luncheon at noon on Friday, Nov. 4 in the PSU ballroom. I look forward to seeing you there!

Benefits open enrollment

Our open enrollment period for employee benefits began last week. All benefit-eligible employees are encouraged to go through the open enrollment process to select, decline and review the benefits that we offer at Missouri State. You might be surprised by what we offer for you and your dependents:

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance (new carrier)
Supplemental life insurance
Group universal life insurance
Critical illness insurance
Accident insurance

Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability are 100 percent paid for by the university.

It’s important to do it now – the deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 1. Once elections or changes have been made, no changes can be made during the year unless they are due to a qualifying/life changing event (e.g. marriage, divorce, birth, etc.).

Enrollment is online. Visit the open enrollment webpage to begin.

Homecoming

This week we will welcome alumni, friends and supporters of Missouri State University to campus as we celebrate Homecoming. Please plan to attend some or all of the events throughout the week:

Student Rockstar competition at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in Hammons Student Center
Yell Like Hell pep rally at 6 p.m. on Thursday in Hammons Student Center
On Friday:
- Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony at 4 p.m. in the PSU ballroom
- Pointer Sisters concert at 8 p.m. in Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts
On Saturday:
- Homecoming parade at 9 a.m. on Saturday on John Q. Hammons Parkway
- Breakfast with Boomer at 10 a.m. on Saturday in Meyer Library
- Men’s and women’s basketball scrimmages from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in JQH Arena
- Tailgate at Bearfest Village at 11 a.m. on Saturday outside Plaster Stadium

Please also join me at 2 p.m. on Saturday to cheer our Bears football team to victory as they take on the Leathernecks of Western Illinois University.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!