October 2, 2018

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THE STANDARD M I S S O U R I S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

VOLUME 112, ISSUE 7 | THE-STANDARD.ORG The Standard/The Standard Sports

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2018

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MSU

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MSU reaches settlement over JQH Arena

ILS

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Ranked. Over the weekend, the Missouri State football team defeated No. 9 Illinois State. Performances from quarterback Peyton Huslig, cornerback Darius Joseph, defensive end Eric Johnson and running back Jason Randall helped the Bears to a win. The Bears’ win over the Redbirds moved them to No. 24 in the STATS FCS Poll. This is the first time the Bears have earned a rank in any poll since 2014. See Page 6 for full coverage of the game.

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HANNA SUMPTER Deputy News Editor @hannasumpter

Missouri State University has reached a settlement in a recent claim against a New York law firm for the remaining amount owed to the university for the naming rights of JQH Arena. The law firm, JD Holdings LLC, agreed in the settlement to pay $8.4 million over four installments, beginning in 2019 and ending in 2022, according to a university press release. The firm previously paid $1.2 million in May 2018, totaling the payments to $10.2 million. “We are very pleased with the settlement agreement. We think the terms are fair,” MSU President Clif Smart said. “And we’re optimistic that, between the settlement and the resale of the naming rights, the university will recoup the amount still owed.” The university previously received $24.4 million in payments from the Revocable Trust of John Q. Hammons for the arena’s naming rights, according to the release. However, the trust’s payment obligations were transferred to JD Holdings LLC in May 2018 during a bankruptcy settlement between the trust and the law firm. According to the release, this settlement allows the university to “plan for the future” and work to form a redemption of the trust’s bond portion on April 1, 2022, which would save $3 million in interest. The MSU Board of Governors’ Executive Committee approved the settlement on Sept. 19 followed by the MSU Foundation Board of Trustees’ approval on Sept. 21, according to the release. The terms of the proposed settlement are now awaiting final approval from bankruptcy court. In addition to the settlement, the university’s license of Hammons Field will be extended through June 30, 2030. The license fee is $225,000 per year but could increase subsequent to an annual consumer price index increase, according to the release.

Smart speaks on state of the university AMANDA SULLIVAN Sports Editor @mandasullivan14 Missouri State University President Clif Smart and Provost Frank Einhellig focused on areas Missouri State did well in over the last year — like increased enrollment rates — and areas that Missouri State could improve on — like focusing on raises for the faculty — during the State of the University address on Oct. 1. Smart’s plan for the university in the coming year included five initiatives: Find a strategic way to grow academic programs, improve retention rates, expand Idea Commons, advocate for more state funding and increase compensation for faculty and staff. Increasing compensation was a strong focus of the crowd, as questions about budget, raises and expenses were brought up. “Our budget situation is the most challenging thing we deal

with,” Smart said. “Stephen Foucart, our chief financial officer, and I are always looking at, ‘How do we continue to fund the university to make it both a good place to work and to accomplish our mission?’” Smart mentioned the University of Missouri, who spent a large sum of their budget on marketing to potential new students. He said Missouri State is unable to spend as much on marketing because the university is focused on ensuring a proper education to those on campus by paying faculty and staff. Smart specifically highlighted the effect of limited state funding on raises for staff across the board. This was the first time in Smart’s seven years that this has happened. “We will, and we must, do better this year,” Smart said. Smart started the address by highlighting some of the university’s greatest successes. Missouri State is bringing mechanical u See SMART, page 10

AMANDA SULLIVAN/THE STANDARD

University President Clif Smart gave the annual State of the University address on Oct. 1.

Jenna Bush Hager delivers Public Affairs keynote, focuses on ‘Unity in Community’ AFTON HARPER Staff Reporter @affie888 The lights begin to dim. The audience settles as Clif Smart makes his way up to the lectern in the middle of the stage at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. His voice echoes through the large room where hundreds of people of all ages await the introduction of the public affairs keynote speaker — Jenna Bush Hager. Bush Hager, a contributing correspondent on “The Today Show” and daughter of former President George W. Bush, began her speech at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25. The Public Affairs Conference theme was “Unity in Community,” which focuses on encouraging citizens to get involved and help their communities, according to the MSU website. Hager said people are divided in our country now more than ever and there are many ways that we can help in our communities to bring people together. Bush Hager also said people tend to get bogged down in the everyday negativity of our news cycle. “It’s important that we realize that we have voices and that we can use them for good,” Bush Hager said. “I just got back from Africa. I watched as these women

news Tips for better conversations from Public Affairs speaker Page 2

were changing their communities — these were people living in some of the most marginalized areas of the world. They were in power to make their communities better for their kids and for the other people living there.” There are people right here in Springfield that need our help, Bush Hager said. “I think so many times we can think the problems are too big for individuals to help, but they’re not,” Bush Hager said. Bush Hager said she wanted her audience to have fun but also realize how powerful they are. “I think my talk is full of stories of singular people — of one person who has changed the lives of so many,” Bush Hager said. “And these people aren’t famous; they aren’t necessarily powerful. They just use their voices the right way to make a change.” Bush Hager said Barbara Bush, her grandmother and former first lady of the United States, inspired her to do what she is doing today. “We miss her so much, and now that I have reflected on her life and that I have read these stories about her … I do think she was an inspiration, and I didn’t even really know it,” Bush Hager said.

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Jenna Bush Hager, daughter of former President George W. Bush and correspondent on “The Today Show,” spoke in Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing u See HAGER, page 9 Arts on Sept. 25.

life

sports

“The Wolves” actress shares her story Page 4

Golfer from England overcomes injury Page 7


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October 2, 2018 by The Standard at Missouri State University - Issuu