Smart to retire as MSU president

by **BEARZ77** » September 6th, 2023, 9:16 am

Cliff Smart has announced his retirement effective at the end of the current academic year. As with any leader, can't say i always agreed with President's Smart's decisions, but overall he has done a great job for Missouri State. From enrollments, to facility development, to community and educational partnerships, to financial stability, he's leaving MSU in a much better spot than when he took over. A search is under way, and the next prez as always will step in with huge issues and goals to pursue and manage. But they will inherit a University on the rise, not one in decline or stagnant, and for that we can thank Cliff Smart.

Will be interesting to see what other administrative moves follow. Brent Dunn had announced his retirement but was talked back into an additional year as VP of Advancement, so he will likely be leaving. AD Kyle Moats has always been tied to the hip of Smart, and while Smart had a fairly positive reputation , Kyle has not been seen as positively, so we'll see . Obvious both moves would impact MSU athletics in some fashion.

**Sponsor**

by **mvfcfan** » September 6th, 2023, 5:45 pm

Y'all should hire Deborah Curtis from Indiana State to replace him. She is totally awesome! You won't regret it! She even has ties to Missouri, as she was from Central Missouri before ISU.

by **MissouriValleyUnite** » September 6th, 2023, 6:05 pm

Missouri State is a big baseball school and Deborah Curtis is a BIG baseball fan.

by **Birdfan2018** » September 6th, 2023, 7:16 pm

MissouriValleyUnite wrote:Missouri State is a big baseball school and Deborah Curtis is a BIG baseball fan.

Hated that the White Sox had to trade Jake Burger.

by **mvfcfan** » September 6th, 2023, 7:39 pm

MissouriValleyUnite wrote:Missouri State is a big baseball school and Deborah Curtis is a BIG baseball fan.

by **MissouriValleyUnite** » September 6th, 2023, 8:40 pm

Birdfan2018 wrote:
MissouriValleyUnite wrote:Missouri State is a big baseball school and Deborah Curtis is a BIG baseball fan.

Hated that the White Sox had to trade Jake Burger.

Me too. From 81-81 to 100 losses. Our fan base's "it was all Tony La Russa" hysteria sure aged well. :buddies:

by **BEARZ77** » September 7th, 2023, 7:11 am

I think a name that will surface is John Jasinski, who was the President at NWMSU for 13 years and has been serving as provost at Missouri State the past year. He oversaw a University that was very successful and especially so in athletics at the D-2 level. Might set up some interesting down the road possibilities for coaches as well.