Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for Nov. 9, 2021

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I want to update you on several activities on campus over the next week.

Celebrate Veterans Day

On Nov. 11, we will celebrate Veterans Day.

Veterans on and off campus can join us for a complimentary breakfast with live music performed by the 135th Army Band, Windfall, and a presentation by retired Army Col. Thomas Marty at 9 a.m. in the Plaster Student Union ballroom.

A live performance of Taps by the Missouri State trumpeters will follow the breakfast at 11:11 a.m. outside of McDonald Arena.

Find out more

I hope you will join us as we honor our veterans for their military service.

Finalists for West Plains chancellor

On Nov. 9 and 10, we will host the first finalist for West Plains chancellor for on campus interviews in West Plains and Springfield.

Members of the campus community will have several opportunities to interact with the candidate in West Plains on Nov 9.

You can find more details, including a schedule, on the Chancellor Search webpage.

Recognizing leaders in community

At 3 p.m. Nov. 10, the College of Business will host “A Conversation with Steve Edwards” in the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center.

This event will provide a remarkable opportunity for the university to hear from a preeminent healthcare leader and a critical voice that guided (and continues to guide) the Springfield community through the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is an invitation-only event. However, if you’d like to receive an invitation, please contact me at president@missouristate.edu.

Later that evening, Biz 417 magazine will host a Biz 100 Party at 6 p.m. at Reliable BMW to honor the individuals selected for this year’s Biz 100 list.

You can find additional details about the event, including a link to buy tickets, on Biz 417’s webpage.

MSU names on this year’s list include:

  • Coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton.
  • Coach Dana Ford.
  • Lyle Foster.
  • Coach Bobby Petrino.
  • Wes Pratt.
  • Clif Smart.

Cheer for the Bears

We also have several exciting sports and entertainment opportunities on campus.

  • Tonight at 7 p.m., the Bears basketball team will play their home opener against Southeast Missouri State University. The Lady Bears played exhibition games at home last week and will play again Sunday at 1 p.m. at JQH Arena .
  • At 2 p.m. Nov. 13, the Bears football team will play their last home game of the regular season against the University of Northern Iowa. I hope you will join me for the game and for pregame activities at Bearfest Village.
  • Also on Nov. 13, Chicago—one of the longest-running and best-selling groups of all time—will perform at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. The band will perform their greatest hits spanning multiple generations. The show starts at 7 p.m. You can buy tickets online, but you need to act soon as the show is poised to sell out and ticket availability is very limited.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Nov. 3, 2020

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Election Day is today. As I mentioned last week, any voter registered in Greene County can vote at JQH Arena today.

I encourage all members of the university community to vote in this important election.

Honoring veterans

Missouri State University will honor the Springfield community’s military veterans during a special Veterans Day event at 6 p.m. Nov. 5, at Plaster Stadium. All veterans, family and friends are invited to attend.

Masks will be required.

The celebration will feature the following:

  • Pride Band Performance Series: Salute to Our Veterans.
  • Special playing of Taps.
  • Military Branch Service Song.
  • Special message from a member of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
  • Special appearance by K-9s for CAMO.
  • Free package of All American Mix popcorn (cherry, blue raspberry and vanilla) to the first 1,000 attendees.

This event will take the place of the Veterans Day breakfast gathering that we have traditionally hosted on campus. I encourage everyone to participate in this special celebration of our veterans on Nov. 5.

Submit SEUSA nominations

The Staff Excellence in University Service Award recognizes excellence in service to the university among staff employees. Through this award, the university recognizes staff who strive to do their jobs well on a daily basis, who go beyond the call of duty in a special situation, and who have contributed in a significant way to the success of the university.

Each year, six full-time staff receive this award, which includes a one-time $1,500 award.

The deadline to nominate a staff member is Nov. 13. You can review the selection criteria and complete a nomination form on the Staff Excellence in University Service Award webpage.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

 

Clif’s Notes for Nov. 5, 2019

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Today is Election Day. I encourage each of you to put the public affairs mission into practice by voting at the Welcome Center or your regular polling location.

Springfield residents have two important tax renewals on the ballot. One renews a 1/8 cent sales tax to fund high-priority transportation improvements. The other renews a 3/4 sales tax to support the Springfield police officers’ and fire fighters’ pension system.

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce supports both measures. You can find more information about these tax renewals on the City of Springfield webpage.

Veterans Day activities

Missouri State University will host its annual recognition of veterans on Nov. 8. Activities include:

  • A complimentary breakfast at 9 a.m. in Plaster Student Union
  • A Pride Band Ceremonial Ensemble performance at 10:30 a.m. outside McDonald Arena
  • The playing of Taps throughout campus by the Missouri State trumpeters starting at 11:11 a.m. and beginning and ending in front of McDonald Arena
  • A showing of the documentary “The Weight of Honor” at noon in the PSU Theater

Nominate a colleague

The Staff Excellence in University Service Award recognizes excellence in service to the university among staff employees. Through this award, the university recognizes staff who strive to do their jobs well on a daily basis, who go beyond the call of duty in a special situation and who have contributed in a significant way to the success of the university.

Each year six full-time staff receive this award (which includes a one-time $1,500 award).

Currently enrolled students, employed staff, faculty or administrators are encouraged to nominate full-time staff employees for the Excellence in University Service Awards.

The deadline to nominate a staff member is Nov. 15. You can review the selection criteria and complete a nomination form on the Staff Excellence in University Service Award webpage.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!