MSU president donates salary increase

Missouri State University President Clif Smart pledged to donate a board-approved salary increase to an endowed agriculture professorship.

The MSU Board of Governors on Aug. 9 concluded an evaluation of Smart, awarding him a $25,000 salary bump. The sum will go toward an endowed scholarship — named after Smart and his wife, Gail — in the Darr College of Agriculture, according to a news release.

MSU board Chairman Gabriel Gore cited Smart’s work in securing a $10 million core-funding increase from the state, which he said “is a game changer for the university.”

“There have been, and continue to be, many challenges for the university; however, this ongoing funding increase enables the university to continue to provide an affordable, quality education to Missouri State’s students,” Gore said in the release.

The board’s evaluation of Smart included a look into his strategic and educational leadership, fundraising work, financial and organizational management, and board relations, among other factors.

The board last year granted Smart a contract extension through June 30, 2026. His contract stipulates an increase to no less than $380,000 on July 1, 2022, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. His current salary is $338,931, said MSU spokeswoman Andrea Mostyn.