Clif Smart awarded Key to the City, Bronze Bear Award

Missouri State University President Clif Smart was recognized with two honors Thursday as he prepares to retire from the Springfield-based higher education institution.

Smart was presented with the Key to the City by Mayor Ken McClure, and the MSU Board of Governors voted to award its Bronze Bear Award to the university president. Smart is scheduled to retire from MSU on June 30 after leading the school since 2011.

Key to the City
McClure presented the Key to the City honor to Smart at the MSU board meeting yesterday, according to a news release from the municipality.

It's a rare honor from the mayor, who previously has recognized businesspeople such as Bill Darr, Johnny Morris and Sam Hamra with the Key to the City. The Key to the City recognizes civic engagement and a commitment to the public good.

"Clif is a leader for a time such as this," McClure said in the release. "He assumed the presidency at one of the university’s most difficult times.

"In addition to increasing enrollment, he led necessary facility improvements, kept tuition affordable – all while MSU was one of the most underfunded universities per student in the state."

Smart additionally is credited in the release with working with the city and the Springfield-Greene County Health Department during the COVID-19 pandemic to impact public health and leading the school to develop new degree programs and enhance the diversity of faculty, staff and students.

Six people have received the Key to the City from McClure.

Bronze Bear Award
The MSU Board of Governors on Thursday approved and presented Smart with the Bronze Bear Award, according to a separate news release.

The award recognizes contributions to the university. Similar to achievements cited with the Key to the City honor, the Bronze Bear Award recognizes Smart's work during the pandemic and his leadership to double the number of terminal degree programs offered, complete $274 million and $167 million capital campaigns and set records in state and federal appropriations, private gifts and grant funding.

“For leading Missouri State with vision, passion, integrity and steadfastness over the last 13 years, Clif is truly deserving of this award,” board Chair Lynn Parman said in the release. "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 Award comes with a framed resolution and a 45-pound, 18-inch bronze bear modeled after the 14-foot statue in front of MSU's Plaster Student Union.

Previous award recipients include Sen. Roy Blunt, actor and alum John Goodman and former Gov. Matt Blunt, according to the release.

Editor's note: Smart looks back on his career at MSU in an article featured in Springfield Business Journal's May 13 print edition.