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Clif’s Notes for Jan. 15, 2019

January 15, 2019 by Clif Smart

University service awards against a black background

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!

Filed Under: Clif's Notes, Smart Tagged With: missouri state way, staff awards

Clif’s Notes for Nov. 28, 2017

November 28, 2017 by Clif Smart

Blue sky above library

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!

Filed Under: Clif's Notes, Smart Tagged With: Board of Governors, missouri state way, united way

Clif’s Notes Oct. 10, 2017

October 10, 2017 by Clif Smart

United Way lunch

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!

Filed Under: Clif's Notes, Smart Tagged With: benefits, missouri state way, open enrollment, united way

Clif’s Notes for Nov. 15, 2016

November 15, 2016 by Clif Smart

Students work at Habitat for Humanity

Clif's Notes

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 leaders19299-8969-Carrington-700x394

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 community19397-img_4083-700394

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 Level18922_8885-ologie

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 ClubNaked Carrington without banners. Kevin White/MSU

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!

Filed Under: Clif's Notes, Smart Tagged With: Missouri State Foundation, missouri state way, united way

Clif’s Notes for Oct. 11, 2016

October 11, 2016 by Clif Smart

Clif's Notes

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

United Way/Missouri State Wayunited-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 enrollmentclinic14

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.).

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. Please refer to the Open Enrollment FAQs for additional information.

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

Homecoming18859-0039 homecoming 2015

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!

Filed Under: Clif's Notes, Smart Tagged With: benefits, homecoming, missouri state way, united way

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