Clif Smart is retiring from Missouri State. A look at his tenure as university president. (2024)

Clif and Gail Smart were part of the 2018 Homecoming Parade at Missouri State University.

Missouri State University President Clif Smart speaks during the announcement of an eight-figure gift to the university on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023.

Keith Boaz (left), executive director for John Q. Hammons Arena, and Clif Smart, Missouri State University president, announced in full makeup that KISS will be playing JQH Arena in Springfield, Mo. on July 23, 2016.

Clif Smart, president of MSU, speaks during an announcement with leaders from CoxHealth, SPS, and OTC to create the Alliance for Healthcare Education at Cox North on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023 to tackle workforce shortages of healthcare professionals in the Midwest.

Missouri State President Clif Smart talks with Missouri Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe before the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce State of the State Address at Great Southern Bank Arena on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

From left, Clif Smart, Joe Turner, and Brent Dunn pose for a photograph following a press conference where it was announced that Great Southern Bank Arena will replace the name JQH Arena.

Clif and Gail Smart join new members of the Founders Club, who were honored at the 2016 medallion reception at the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center.

Missouri State University President Clif Smart and Drury University President Tim Cloyd look at some of the artworks donated by Sam Hamra to local universities on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. Hamra donated 10 pieces worth at least $125,000.

Grenita Lathan, SPS Superintendent, Hal Higdon, chancellor of OTC, Clif Smart, president of MSU, and Max Buetow, president and CEO of CoxHealth sign an agreement to create the Alliance for Healthcare Education at Cox North on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023 to tackle workforce shortages of healthcare professionals in the Midwest.

Missouri State University held an "It's On!" event kicking off the Onward, Upward fundraising campaign on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 in Springfield, Mo. Actor John Goodman and MSU President Clif Smart at the event.

Missouri State University President Clif Smart delivers the 2022 State of the University address at the Plaster Student Union theater on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022.

New Lady Bears Head Coach Beth Cunningham with with MSU President Clif Smart and her family behind her as she is formally introduced as the Lady Bears' new head coach on Thursday, March 31, 2022.

Missouri State University president Clif Smart talks about developing the property to the south of the Jordan Valley Innovation Center into office spaces.

Missouri State University president Clif Smart, right, along with Springfield Mayor Ken McClure talk about developing the property to the south of the Jordan Valley Innovation Center into office spaces.

Missouri State University president Clif Smart speaks during a walkout in front of Strong Hall on Friday, Sept. 8, 2017 to show support for the DACA program and the university's DACA students.

Missouri State President Clif Smart holds up a lion as he recreates the famous scene from The Lion King, after it was announced that the Broadway show, "The Lion King," would be coming to Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts in February of 2018.

Missouri State University President Clif Smart speaks before the ribbon cutting ceremony and open house to show off the new Robert Gourley Student Success Center and renovated David D. Glass Hall on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.

Missouri State University President Clif Smart talks about new initiatives to keep the school affordable during a press conference at Plaster Student Union on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018.

MSU President Clif Smart and Athletic Director Kyle Moats announced that MSU Head basketball Coach Paul Lusk's contract had been cancelled. Clif Smart looks on as Kyle Moats addresses the media.

Actor and Missouri State alumni John Goodman takes questions with MSU President Clif Smart and Vice President for University Advancement Brent Dunn during a press conference before a celebration for MSU's Onward ad Upward Campaign on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.

MSU President Clif Smart greets parent Vicki Brewer on move-in day, Friday, August 15, 2014.

Missouri State University President Clif Smart and Bears Football coach Terry Allen cheer on the Bears Basketball team as they play the University of Northern Iowa Panthers at JQH Arena in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013.

Missouri State Univeristy President Clif Smart introduces Sen. Claire McCaskill during a stop at MSU on a statewide tour to get feedback from students and staff about the Campus Accountability and Safety Act on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014.

Missouri State University President Clif Smart prepares to lead a candlelight march to promote peace and nonviolence on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014.

Missouri State University President Clif Smart formally announces Beth Cunningham as the Lady Bears' new head coach on Thursday, March 31, 2022.

Missouri State University President Clif Smart speaks with the media about hiring new head football coach Bobby Petrino after a press conference at JQH Arena on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020.

Missouri State University English Language Institute student Ali Alalqam presents his research project to MSU President Clif Smart during a reception at the Meyer Alumni Center on Thursday, July 11, 2019.

Retiring U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (center), Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (third from left), MSU President Clif Smart (left) and others break ground for the expansion to Roy Blunt Hall, formerly known as Temple Hall, on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022.

Actor John Goodman and MSU President Clif Smart at Missouri State University's "It's On!" event kicking off the Onward, Upward fundraising campaign on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 in Springfield, Mo.

Missouri State University president Clif Smart announces the result of a 19-month long campus climate study at the Plaster Student Union on MSU's campus in Springfield, Mo. on March 19, 2015.

Missouri State University President Clif Smart speaks about a collaboration between Burrell and Missouri State University to begin a Psychology Doctorate program during a press conference at the Burrell Administrative Campus on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022.

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt takes a tour of Missouri State University's Temple Hall, built in 1971, with Tamera Jahnke, dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences and MSU President Clif Smart on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021.

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt takes a tour of Missouri State University's Temple Hall, built in 1971, with Tamera Jahnke, dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences and MSU President Clif Smart on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021.

Missouri State University President Clif Smart speaks at a press conference during the mass vaccination clinic at the Hammon's Student Center on Thursday, April 8, 2021.

Missouri State University President Clif Smart speaks during a press conference regarding the university parting ways with former head football coach Dave Steckel during a press conference on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020.

Clif and Gail Smart accompany the Missouri State University Chorale in Washington D.C., where the students performed for the U.S. Presidential Inauguration.

Missouri State University President Clif Smart announces that it is renaming the College of Health and Human Services to the McQueary College of Health and Human Services on Tuesday Oct. 2, 2018.

Missouri State President Clif Smart speaks at a back-to-school pep rally for Springfield Public Schools employees at Great Southern Bank Arena on Tuesday, Aug 16, 2022.

Missouri State president Clif Smart delivers a speech during one of two fall semester commencement ceremonies held by Missouri State University at JQH Arena on Dec. 16, 2016.

Missouri State University President Clif Smart speaks at a press conference at the MSU welcome center with other college leaders from Springfield on Tuesday, July, 20, 2021 to encourage students, staff and faculty to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Missouri State musical theater majors Sheridan Mirador and Sarah Pendergrass talk with Missouri State University President Clif Smart about the features of the new John Goodman Amphitheatre on Thursday, April 8, 2021.