At final MSU board meeting, retiring Clif Smart awarded key to the city, Bronze Bear

Clif Smart did not leave his final board meeting as president of Missouri State emptyhanded. He likely needed help to carry all the accolades and well wishes.

The university's Board of Governors meeting Thursday started with Springfield Mayor Ken McClure giving Smart a rare "Key to the City."

McClure also proclaimed May 9, 2024 as President Clif Smart Day in Springfield.

Smart, who will retire July 1, is only the sixth person to receive a key to the city from McClure. The others were Sam Hamra, William “Bill” Darr, Mary Lilly Smith, Robert Spence and Johnny Morris.

McClure noted Smart became president in June 2011, in a tough time in the university's history.

"He put the university on course to where it is today," McClure said. "My favorite book in the Bible is the book of Ester and it talks there about a 'leader for such a time as this.'"

McClure praised Smart's leadership for increasing enrollment, improving the campus facilities, and keeping tuition affordable in comparison to other four-year private universities in Missouri.

"He created 12 balanced budgets ... reduced the indebtedness of the university and successfully conducted the largest two comprehensive (fundraising) campaigns in university history raising $274 million and $167 million, respectively," McClure said. "He maintaining affordability for students by raising tuition and fees by less than inflation while reducing the numbers of hours required to graduate from 126 to 120."

McClure listed off many other accomplishments such as leading the campus through the pandemic, revitalizing the downtown area, expanding academic programs and became a doctoral-granting institution.

"The city of Springfield could not have had a better partner leading Missouri State University during all of these years. What has been good for the university has been good for the city," he said.

The proclamation and the key were just the start. In the middle of the meeting, the outgoing leadership of the Student Government Association, president Spencer Vreeland and vice president Elizabeth Simcoe, presented Smart with a special commendation.

At the end of the meeting, in a special walk-on resolution that was a surprise for Smart, the board unanimously awarded the retiring president a Bronze Bear Award.

The rare award — which includes a framed resolution and a 45-pound, 18-inch Bronze Bear mounted on a base — has previously been given to John Goodman, former U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, Tim Reynolds and Judith Enyeart Reynolds and former governor Matt Blunt.

More: Missouri State alumni center at 'front door of campus' to be named for Clif Smart

“For leading Missouri State with vision, passion, integrity and steadfastness over the last 13 years, Clif is truly deserving of this award,” said board chair Lynn Parman.

“This honor is one of the ways we can thank him for the positive legacy he will leave not only at the university, but also in our city and state.”

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Retiring MSU president Clif Smart awarded key to city, Bronze Bear