Clif, as he prefers to be called, was named the University’s interim president June 27 and will likely serve 18 to 24 months in the role.

Clif Smart has used a Harry Truman quotation multiple times every day since June 27, when he was named interim president: “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” It sums up Clif’s (he prefers to be called by his first name) approach not only to the role as president, but to his life, his career, his family and even to his sons’ city championship baseball team that he coached.

“My faith and my family are the most important things in my life,” he said. “From those things come these values: honesty, openness, humility — a belief that others are better than I am — sacrifice, service and teamwork.”

That has been his foundation since he was named interim president after the University’s 10th president, James E. Cofer, Sr., announced his plans to return to the faculty after one year in office.

Clif, a lawyer, served as University’s general counsel

Smart first joined Missouri State in 2007 after 15 years with The Strong Law Firm. He is currently one of two lawyer members serving a five-year term on the 31st Circuit Judicial Commission. From December 2007 to June 27, 2011, Clif served as the University’s general counsel. He also was involved in a wide variety of University initiatives.

One of his first moves: Name an interim provost

One of Clif’s first acts as interim president was to name Dr. Frank Einhellig as interim provost, a move that has received widespread and unanimous approval.

“I made that selection because I knew Frank to be a man of integrity, who operated openly and who was widely respected as a capable administrator by everyone,” Clif said. “Frank will be responsible for all academic matters during the time we hold these positions and that gives me a great peace of mind and the time to focus on other things. I think he will tell you we have a great relationship and that we are off to a very good start working together on this team.”

Interim leaders plan to “move the University forward”

It is anticipated that the interim positions will last until the search for a new president has been completed – perhaps 18 to 24 months. One reason is that the Board of Governors will be in transition, with the terms of six of the nine Board members’ terms having expired and replacements expected soon.

“A year and a half, or two years, is real time,” Clif said. “And the Board was emphatic that we not be caretakers, but rather that we move the University forward. That is exactly what we intend to do.”

In the first eight weeks, Clif, Frank and others have taken several initiatives, including: combining all the international programs under one administrator to more efficiently operate them; re-establishing the Enrollment Management Committee; retooling the budget process and creating a personnel reallocation task force; revising the travel policy to make it less burdensome for everyone; approving the new intellectual property policy; and creating a new committee to better manage space.

Clif does not intend to add a significant number of new initiatives this year. Rather, he wants to continue work on the initiatives already under way, including:

• course redesign;
• alternative delivery methods of classes (including increasing the number of online programs);
• increasing the diversity recruitment of faculty, staff and students;
• revising the General Education Curriculum;
• expanding study-away opportunities;
• integrating the public affairs mission into the curriculum;
• further developing Brick City in downtown Springfield to increase academic space and promote economic development;
• finalizing the details for the cooperative PharmD program with the University of Missouri-Kansas City to come to the University;
• and addressing the budget deficit in the athletics department.

At the top of Clif’s priority list, however, is reallocating funds to allow for an across-the-board salary increase for faculty and staff. “Half our faculty and two-thirds of our staff have not received a pay raise for three years now, and that must change,” he said. “It is a morale issue and a fairness issue.”

Positivity, optimism will be cornerstones of administration

Clif has promised all constituent groups that he will lead with optimism and enthusiasm.

“I am a very positive person,” he said. “I see the glass as half-full. And nearly all of my colleagues do, too.

“I believe our University is in great shape financially and academically and will continue to produce students who are culturally competent and ethical leaders in their communities. This is, in large part, due to the good work of Drs. Nietzel and Cofer.

“This year can only be effective if we all work together as a team. I have great confidence in the administrators, academic administrators, faculty leaders, staff leaders and students with whom I have served during the last three years. I am confident everyone will work harder and work together as we begin to implement the new long-range plan.

“It is a great honor and special privilege for me to serve this community and this University as president. I am excited about the opportunity.”