Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for April 18, 2023

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It seems that after a little back and forth, spring has finally arrived. The fountain on campus is on, students are gathered around outdoor tables and napping in hammocks, and I’m dodging skateboarders. It feels great.

Better yet, we have a new outdoor venue that’s coming alive with activity – the John Goodman Amphitheatre (JGA). With the nice weather, more and more classes from theatre and dance; media, journalism and film; and communications are holding classes outside in JGA.

There are roughly two to three classes held outside each day of the week. And a brass ensemble took over the stage last week.

This is exactly what we thought would happen if we built the amphitheatre.

Upcoming events and activities

There’s more to come as we begin to wrap up the semester:

  • April 20: Jazz Ensemble hosted by Randy Hamm, 7:30-9 p.m.
  • April 21: Sigma Gamma Lambda: Movie Night, 4-6 p.m.
  • May 1: Union Club – Tent Theatre Fundraiser Luncheon, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • May 6: 9th Annual MSU Low Brass Day, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  • May 12: Ozarks Jamboree hosted by the MSU Library, 7-9 p.m.
  • May 18: MSU School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony, 3-4 p.m.

Tent Theatre shows

Starting in June, we’ll finally get to experience Tent Theatre in this wonderful new venue.

Tent Theatre tickets go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. May 1. You can purchase them at any Missouri State TIX location, online or by calling the box office at 417-836-7678 (season renewals were sent out last week in the mail. To be eligible for this mailing, you must have held a season ticket last year).

It’s a great time to grab your lunch, head to JGA and do a little people watching.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State.

Clif

Clif’s Notes for June 14, 2022

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This is Staff Appreciation Week.

Supervisors, I hope you will take time this week to express your gratitude for all of the work your team does.

To all of our staff, I appreciate you. You work hard, often without much thanks, to meet the needs of our students and our campus community. Thank you for everything you do.

Come to the Staff Awards Luncheon

We kicked off the week last night with MSU Staff Appreciation Night at Mother’s Brewery.

Today at 11:30 a.m. we will have our annual Staff Awards Luncheon in Hammons Student Center.

Shuttles will operate from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Attendees are encouraged to wear Bearwear.

Three categories of employees will be honored:

  • Full-time staff who reached a five-year milestone in 2021.
  • Those selected for the Staff Excellence in University Service Award.
  • Those selected for the Staff Excellence in Community Engagement Award.

Please plan to participate in this year’s luncheon to support your co-workers and colleagues that are being recognized and to connect with your university community over a free meal.

I would encourage all supervisors to allow full-time staff to attend this important event.

How you can participate this week

Other activities this week include:

  • On Wednesday, all members of the university community are encouraged to post their love and appreciation for staff on social media with #MSUStaffShoutout.
  • On Thursday at 4:15 p.m., staff will gather for an All-Staff Photo on the quad east of Carrington Hall.
  • On Friday, we will host mocktails and lawn games from 1 – 3 p.m.
  • On Friday. we will close the university from 3 – 5 p.m. Issues related to essential personnel, time reporting, and compensation for this closure are addressed in section 2.15 of the Employee Handbook. Supervisors will work with their staff on how to coordinate coverage if coverage is required.

Support the arts on campus

Many other events will occur on campus throughout the summer.

The tradition of Tent Theatre continues with three outstanding productions:

  • “Xanadu” (in Coger Theatre starting June 22).
  • “Moon Over Buffalo” (in Coger Theatre starting June 29).
  • “Crazy For You” (in the new John Goodman Amphitheatre starting Sept. 9).

We will also host Broadway productions of “Anastasia” and “Disney Jr. Live” in Hammons Hall.

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils will put on a special performance with the Springfield Symphony on Sept. 10 and 11 in Hammons Hall.

Buy tickets

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for May 28, 2019

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There will be much fun to be had on campus this summer. Here’s the line-up of a few activities.

First, we are kicking off a new event for faculty and staff. At 2 p.m. on June 5 we will have a university-wide ice cream social in the PSU Food Court. I encourage all members of our faculty and staff that are at work that afternoon to take a few minutes to eat free ice cream and socialize with colleagues and coworkers.

As an added incentive to encourage people to attend the ice cream social, we will close the university from 3 to 5 p.m. after the event. Issues related to essential personnel, time reporting, and compensation for this closure are addressed in section 2.15 of the Employee Handbook. Supervisors will work with their staff on how to coordinate coverage, if coverage is required.

Attend annual picnic

On May 31, Staff Senate will host the annual MSU Staff Picnic in the pavilion at Phelps Grove Park. The picnic will start at 5 p.m. Food and drinks will be provided, and the event will be family-friendly.

Take part in Tent Theatre tradition

The tradition of Tent Theatre continues this summer with three outstanding productions:

  • “Grease” (starting June 12)
  • “The Mousetrap” (starting June 27)
  • “Catch Me If You Can” (starting July 10)

We will also celebrate the life of Byrne Blackwood, cofounder of MSU’s Tent Theatre, at several activities on the weekend of June 14 – 16.

Grab tickets for big entertainment

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and Jim Gaffigan will perform at JQH Arena on July 28 and Aug. 15.

Big shows at JQH Arena are also planned for the fall, including Professional Bull Riders (PBR), Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert.

You can buy tickets for Tent Theatre and JQH Arena events on the Missouri State TIX webpage.

Campus hosts camps throughout summer

We will also host students of all ages at summer camps and conferences, including:

I encourage each of you to participate in summer activities on campus and welcome campers and other summer guests to our campus.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for May 8, 2018

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In less than two weeks we will celebrate graduation, the academic year will be over and we will usher in a summer full of events and activities on campus.

Prepare for a night under the tent

Starting on June 13, we will continue our Tent Theatre tradition with three outstanding productions:

  • “Cry-Baby” (June 13 – 16, 18 – 23) – In 1950s Baltimore, the conservative squares face off against the leather-clad delinquents in this rockabilly musical.
  • “Peter and the Starcatcher” (June 28 – July 3, 5 – 6) – The Tony-winning play, based on the best-selling novels, upends the century old story of how a miserable orphan boy becomes the legendary Peter Pan.
  • “The Drowsy Chaperone” (July 11 – 14, 16 – 21) – When a die-hard theater fan plays his favorite cast album, the characters come to life in this hilarious musical farce.

Staff appreciation night at Tent Theatre is on June 12. All tickets are already reserved for this MSU staff-only free performance of “Cry-Baby.” Email BarbaraJones@missouristate.edu if you’d like to have your name added to the waitlist.

You can buy single or season tickets for Tent Theatre online or at box offices in JQH Arena or Craig Hall.

Reserve tickets now for spectacular summer shows

We also have a number of outstanding performances in JQH Arena and Hammons Hall this summer.

“Phantom of the Opera” will be at Hammons Hall May 23 – June 3. The plot revolves around a singer who becomes the obsession of a mysterious, disfigured musical genius. “Phantom” is the longest-running show in Broadway history and has received numerous awards and accolades. If you’ve never seen “Phantom of the Opera,” you don’t want to miss this opportunity.

Concerts on campus this summer will include a June 29 performance at JQH Arena by Tim McGraw and a July 15 performance by Alison Krauss at Hammons Hall.

You can purchase tickets for these and other shows at the Missouri State TIX webpage.

Summer camps fill campus

We will also host students of all ages at our wide array of summer camps and conferences, including:

Engaging the alumni community

We will host several alumni events during the weekend of June 22 – 23.

That Friday evening and throughout the day on Saturday we will host the MarooNation Volunteer Engagement Forum. The forum is directed toward alumni groups, but other members of the Missouri State community will undoubtedly find the event beneficial as well. If you have a passion for Missouri State and would like to volunteer your time and talents to benefit future generations of Bears, check out details about the Volunteer Engagement Forum on the Alumni Association webpage.

Following the forum, at 6 p.m. on June 23, we will host the Bears of Distinction Dinner and Awards Ceremony to recognize the distinguished alumni and former faculty and staff who promote the public affairs mission. You can find more information about the Bears of Distinction Awards on the Alumni Association’s webpage. Call the Alumni Association at 417-836-5654 to purchase tickets.

Take yourself out to the ball game

Before we head into summer, don’t miss your last chance to see the Bears baseball team play at Hammons Field. The Bears will take on the Southern Illinois Salukis this weekend. Games are scheduled for Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for May 30, 2017

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This weekend we had the privilege to host the Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Championship Tournament at Hammons Field. I hope you were able to attend some or all of the games.

While the Bears did not win the championship, hosting the tournament was an exciting experience. This weekend the Bears will play in the Regionals for the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. Please join me in cheering them on!

Summer full of activities for campus, community

Flowers by Carrington

Summertime at Missouri State brings numerous events and activities. Some of the highlights for this summer include:

  • Tent Theatre: Missouri State University’s Tent Theatre 2017 continues a 55-year tradition of theatrical excellence with three outstanding productions that will have you rolling in the aisles.
    • “She Loves Me” (June 14 – 17, 19 – 24) – The identities of anonymous romantic pen pals are revealed in this joyful musical.
    • “The Three Musketeers” (June 29 – July 3, 5 – 7) – A secret affairs threatens to topple the monarchy, but chivalry saves the day.
    • “Nice Work If You Can Get It” (July 12 – 15, 17 – 23) – A gang of bootleggers derail a ritzy wedding in this Jazz Age musical.
  • Journey: In Springfield for the first time since 1980, Journey, with special guest Asia, will rock JQH Arena on July 3.
  • Outstanding shows at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts: This summer you can see big stars at MSU, including Julianne and Derek Hough, Bill Gaither and the Gaither Vocal Band, and Dancing with the Stars: Live.

We also host students of all ages at our wide array of summer camps and conferences, including:

I encourage all members of our faculty and staff to enjoy these activities and to welcome our summer guests with open arms.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!