MSU names presidential finalists

Missouri State University this morning released the names of the two finalists to become the 11th president of the school.

The finalists are Clif Smart, who has served as interim president of MSU since James Cofer's sudden resignation in June 2011; and Randy Dunn, president of Murray State University in Murray, Ky., according to a news release.

On-campus interviews with the candidates are scheduled Oct. 7-11. The visits will include interviews with the MSU Board of Governors; individual sessions with faculty, staff, students and the community; and tours of the Springfield campus and community, as well as MSU's West Plains and Mountain Grove campuses. Dunn's interviews are scheduled Oct. 7-9, while Smart is scheduled Oct. 9-11.

“We had a strong and diverse pool of applicants. But during our review of the materials, our research and our preliminary interviews, these two candidates continued to be at the top of the list for our committee," said presidential search committee Chairman Joe Turner, president and CEO of Great Southern Bank, in the release. "The two finalists are very strong, and I believe the campus community and the Springfield community will be impressed with both of them.”

MSU has set a goal of naming its new president by Nov. 1.

Smart, who had served MSU's general counsel since Dec. 1, 2007, worked at Springfield-based The Strong Law Firm PC for 15 years before joining MSU.

Dunn was named Murray State University's 11th president in May 2006. Prior to joining the Kentucky school, Dunn was the state superintendent of education for the Illinois State Board of Education, the release said.