Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for Sept. 19, 2023

by

The 2023 Public Affairs Conference is next week (except for the keynote presentation by legendary NFL quarterback Joe Montana, which has been moved to Nov. 2 due to unforeseen circumstances).

The conference theme is Navigating the Now: tradition, innovation and wisdom in a world of change. The conference will reflect on tradition, celebrate innovation and explore a variety of ways to both embrace change and to exercise strength in the face of struggle.

Line-up of sessions

Several of the sessions will be live and others will be virtual. The full schedule is available on the Public Affairs Conference webpage.

Highlights include:

  • A virtual plenary session by audio/visual producer and broadcast journalist Diego Senior: “The Very Real Implications of AI Chatbots and Mental Health” at 12:15 p.m. Sept. 27 via Zoom.
  • A plenary presentation (hosted by Student Activities Council) by educator, organizer and writer Shay-Akil McLean: “Race/ism: A human ecological system” at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 in the PSU Theater.
  • A plenary presentation by NPR’s science desk correspondent Yuki Noguchi at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 28 in the PSU Theater.
  • A closing plenary event featuring ILL-Abilities International Dance Crew at 7 p.m. Sept. 28 in the PSU Theater. A meet and greet reception will take place after the performance in the PSU.

Plan to attend

All conference sessions are free and open to the public. No registration or tickets are required to attend.

As in prior years, employees may use up to two hours of their work time, in coordination with their supervisors, to attend the conference. I encourage you to attend, and I encourage supervisors to facilitate attendance by individuals in your offices or divisions.

I’m excited to participate in this year’s conference and I hope you will too!

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State.

Clif

Clif’s Notes for Nov. 8, 2022

by

Today is Election Day.

I hope you will join me by putting the public affairs mission into practice and voting.

Remember that if you are a Greene County resident, you can vote at the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center.

We have many important offices and questions on the ballot. You can also find a sample ballot on the Greene County Clerk’s website. The Springfield Daily Citizen has published a voting guide that you might find useful.

Digging into Question 1

One important issue is City of Springfield Question 1. A “yes” vote on this question will rezone land in Galloway Village to allow for an upscale, mixed-use development.

I, along with a long list of other community leaders, have taken a public position in support of this question. You can find a video on Facebook where I explain my support.

The News-Leader also published an article highlighting my and OTC Chancellor Hal Higdon’s decision to support this initiative.

It is not my job to try to influence your votes on this or any other issue. I would simply encourage you to research this issue — and every other question and candidate on the ballot — thoroughly.

You can find information in support of the ballot question on the Vote Yes Question 1 Facebook page. You can find information in opposition to the question on the Vote No Question 1 Facebook page.

Explore Amendment No. 3

Another important question is Constitutional Amendment No. 3 regarding the legalization of marijuana. Legal Mo 2022 provides information in support of the amendment. No on Amendment 3 provides information in opposition to the amendment.

The Springfield Daily Citizen and the Springfield News-Leader have each published articles discussing the proposed amendment and the campaigns surrounding it.

I encourage you to educate yourself on Constitutional Amendment No. 3 and the other important questions, candidates and issues on today’s ballot.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Aug. 2, 2022

by

Today is election day.

I hope you will join me by putting the public affairs mission into practice and voting because it matters who we send to Jefferson City and Washington, D.C.

Remember that if you are a Greene County resident, you can vote at the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center.

When I began thinking about this note, I initially planned to talk about current candidates who have supported Missouri State in the past — whether through budget allocations or policies that directly impacted the university. As president of Missouri State, this is especially important to me when I am making my voting decisions.

As I thought about it more, I was reminded it’s not my job to provide guidance or influence. We each make our candidate selections based on measures that are important to us. That’s what a democracy is all about.

So today is a day when you have the opportunity to influence what happens in Missouri and in Washington. It’s a privilege we should all cherish.

Vote!

If you want to know how I voted and why, send me an email. I am happy to share.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State.

 

Clif’s Notes for April 5, 2022

by

I am excited to introduce you to Beth Cunningham, our new Lady Bears basketball coach.

Coach Cunningham has an impressive 20-year collegiate coaching resume. Most recently she was an assistant coach at Duke University.

Before that, she was the associate head coach at Notre Dame during one of the best winning stretches in NCAA history that included:

  • A 244-19 record.
  • Seven 30-win seasons in a row.
  • Six conference titles.
  • Five NCAA Final Four appearances.
  • And the 2018 National Championship.

She also had a successful run as head coach at VCU (where she is the all-time leader in women’s coaching wins) and as a player at Notre Dame. There, she led the program to its first NCAA Women’s Final Four appearance her senior year and departed as the all-time leading scorer in Fighting Irish women’s basketball history.

Coach Cunningham knows how to win. She was our number one choice for this job, and I am very pleased that she agreed to lead our program.

I hope you will join me in welcoming Coach Cunningham, her husband Dan, and their four children to the Missouri State community.

Exciting events on campus

We have several great events on campus this week.

Shaun Tomson will speak at this year’s public affair convocation at 3:30 p.m. this Wednesday in the PSU Theater.

Tomson, author of “The Code” — this year’s Common Reader, will share his life experiences in and out of the surfing world. He will offer how the simple message — I Will — can be a model to face life’s challenges and help you achieve your goals.

I hope you will plan to attend. No ticket is required, and the event is free and open to the public.

Read more about Tomson

That evening, at 6:30 p.m., we will host a book reading, signing and reception with award-winning, internationally bestselling author Laura McHugh at the C Minor Recital Hall in Ellis Hall.

McHugh’s novels have won numerous national and international awards. They have also been translated into multiple languages and optioned for film. McHugh lives in Columbia, Missouri, with her family.

Early on Wednesday, at 9 a.m., we will dedicate the Darr Agriculture Academy, the agricultural sciences SPS magnet school that will be located on our campus at the Darr Ag Center.

The building will serve approximately 150 elementary students at SPS and provide a meaningful partnership between MSU and SPS.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for March 29, 2022

by

Municipal elections are next Tuesday.

In the Springfield Public Schools (SPS) district and many surrounding areas, school board elections will be on the ballot.

School board members connect their local communities to the public schools. Who we elect to school boards has a direct impact on the curriculum taught, student achievement and outcomes, composition of the faculty and staff, and facility and financial management of our public schools.

In short, school board elections are very important. I hope you will take time to research the candidates for the school district you live in and vote next Tuesday.

Review candidates

In SPS, we have five candidates running for two spots on the seven-member board.

The Springfield Daily Citizen interviewed and published articles about each candidate:

The Daily Citizen also published a Q&A series titled “Which Springfield school board candidates do you align with?” that provides information about each candidate’s stance on several critical issues, including:

  • COVID mitigation.
  • MAP and ACT scores.
  • Staggered start times.
  • Teacher staffing issues.
  • And more.

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce has announced its endorsement of two candidates. The Springfield NEA has also announced its endorsement of two candidates.

Vote April 5

Please take a look at the materials linked above and other information you have at your disposal. Educate yourself and vote next Tuesday.

The Davis-Harrington Welcome Center will once again serve as a central polling location for the April election. If you are registered to vote anywhere in Greene County, you can vote in the Welcome Center or at your regular polling location.

The Welcome Center will be open for voting 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. April 5.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!