The most recent meeting of the Missouri State University Board of Governors was filled with applause and awards for staff members and students, especially MSU's outgoing president. The board also granted a year-long contract extension for Provost John Jasinski, who unsuccessfully sought to be the university’s next leader.
The Board of Governors on May 9 granted a 13-month extension to a contract with Jasinski. The contract will run until June 30, 2025, and Jasinski will earn an annual salary of $325,000. His previous salary was $252,000 per year.
The vote to extend his contract was part of a consent agenda that was approved with a 9-0 vote.
Reporting directly to the president, the provost is the university’s chief academic officer, responsible for leading, directing and evaluating its academic affairs.
Jasinski was hired in 2022, after he spent 13 years as president of Northwest Missouri State University. When the Northwest Missouri State Board of Regents decided to not renew his contract that year without an explanation, Jasinski was hired at Missouri State as interim provost, then quickly earned the permanent position.
President Clif Smart said that Jasinski led Missouri State through an intensive academic realignment, with colleges shifting subjects around academic departments for more efficiency. He will be asked to continue overseeing that transformation plan.
“Given your wealth of experience in higher education administration, an important role you will also fill is to support, mentor and coach the academic leadership team,” Smart wrote in the letter to Jasinski extending the offer. “I can honestly think of no one better suited for this role and I know that the incoming president looks forward to working with you.”
Jasinski was one of three finalists to be Missouri State's next president after Smart announced his retirement. After a series of interviews and town hall meetings, the board chose Richard “Biff” Williams, who will begin his duties officially on July 1.
Efforts by a Hauxeda reporter to reach Williams for comment on Jasinski's retention as provost were not successful.
Northwest reportedly prospered under Jasiniski’s leadership, with increased enrollment from 2016 to 2022, excellent student retention rates, outperforming career placement and a strong financial position. But disagreements over what led to Jasinski's sudden dismissal at Northwest complicated his application at Missouri State.
At a community meeting, Jasinski said that his removal was over shutting down two fraternities over allegations of sexual assaults. A member of one of the former fraternities, Jason Klindt, was appointed to the university’s board of regents, where he led the move to oust Jasinski, Jasinski said.
Klindt later refuted Jasinski's account of what happened at Northwest. Klindt said the dismissal was over creating a toxic work environment. Klindt received support from Republican U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, who on Twitter posted that Jasinski was not the best choice for MSU president.
City, Board of Governors honor Clif Smart
May 9 marked the final board meeting in Springfield for Missouri State University President Clif Smart before his retirement. The meeting was bookended with awards for Smart, who is finishing his 13th year as president.
Springfield Mayor Ken McClure presented a proclamation declaring President Clif Smart Day in Springfield, and also gave him a key to the city award. McClure praised Smart for his leadership in helping to improve buildings, increase enrollment and keep tuition affordable.
Noting that Smart took on the job during a difficult time, he said that as MSU prospered, so did the city.
“The city of Springfield could not have had a better partner leading Missouri State University during all of these years,” McClure said.
At the end of the meeting, the MSU Board of Governors presented Smart with its Bronze Bear award. The presentation was outside of its normal timing — Chair Lynn Parman said the board wanted to make the presentation while the entire board was meeting in person on the Springfield campus.
Many of the same accomplishments and more were listed as part of the presentation, including Smart’s work to increase diversity of faculty and staff, continued development of the IDEA Commons, completing two multi-million-dollar fundraising campaigns and getting state recognition as a doctoral granting university.
“For leading Missouri State with vision, passion, integrity and steadfastness over the last 13 years, Clif is truly deserving of this award,” Parman said. “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.”
The Bronze Bear is one of the highest awards the board can bestow. Modeled after a statue outside Plaster Student Union, previous winners include U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt and actor John Goodman.
Names announced for MSU Wall of Fame
The board also approved six selections for its Missouri State Wall of Fame. The honor is for former employees with at least 10 years of service who contributed to creating an outstanding experience for students.
The 2024 class includes six people with a combined 228 years working for MSU. The inductees will be honored during a formal ceremony at homecoming in October. They include:
- Cindi Barrett, who spearheaded the conception, development and construction of Foster Recreation Center.
- Julie Ebersold, a former director of alumni activities praised for attention to detail, creative spirit and polished professionalism.
- Jack Knight, a philosophy professor for four decades hailed for his commitment to student success.
- Rhonda Ridinger, a kinesiology professor, advisor and field hockey coach who has also been inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
- Belva Worthen Prather, a flute teacher whose interest in bands led her to being named associate director of bands.
- Nancy Schanda, who helped build the first college academic advising center in the College of Business.
Excellence in Public Affairs Awards
The board also recognized three faculty members and two staff members for exemplifying the university’s public affairs mission, announcing them as winners of the Board of Governors’ Award for Excellence in Public Affairs. Winners earn $1,500 for research, professional development or other projects related to their position.
The winners include:
- David Cornelison, professor of physics, astronomy and materials science in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences.
- Alan Tinkler, assistant department head for the English department in the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.
- Rebecca Woodard, professor of kinesiology in the McQueary College of Health and Human Services.
- Jennifer Johnston, director of Teacher Training Programs for the English Language Institute.
- Juli Panza, director of Professional Education Services in the College of Education.
