Veteran Springfield Police Department commander Donald Clark will be the new director of safety and transportation at Missouri State University. He begins his duties Nov. 16, pending approval of the Missouri State Board of Governors.  Clark will succeed Gary Snavely, who recently retired from the post.

Clark spent 25 years in the Springfield Police Department (SPD). He most recently served as division commander, holding the rank of major, and had responsibility for the records section, training section, technical services section, budget office, public information office, crime analysis unit and other responsibilities.

Clark also served as South District commander, special investigations commander, community services section commander, field shift commander, Missouri State University police services coordinator, major crimes investigator and patrol officer before retiring from SPD in April 2009.

“Missouri State University is delighted to have a man of Don’s caliber and experience join the staff as director of safety and transportation,” said Ken McClure, vice president of administrative and information services. “His knowledge of the campus and the Springfield community will be extremely valuable to the university.”

A native of Springfield, Clark received his Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife conservation and management from Missouri State University. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in law enforcement and police administration from Drury University and a Master’s in public administration from City University, Bellevue, Wash.

“Having graduated from Missouri State, and having both supervised and commanded the police substation operations there during my career at the SPD, I am very excited to have this opportunity to continue keeping the university community a safe place to live, work and learn,” Clark said.

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