MSU leader diagnosed with prostate cancer

SPRINGFIELD (AP) - The president of Missouri State University is scheduled to have surgery Wednesday for prostate cancer.

Clif Smart made the announcement Monday in an email to the university community as the fall semester opened.

Smart says he was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer several weeks ago. He says he and his doctors believe he'll make a "fast and full recovery."

Missouri State chief of staff Paul Kincaid told the Springfield News-Leader that Smart was diagnosed following a yearly screening for the cancer.

Smart was named Missouri State president last October, after serving more than a year as interim president. He was previously the university's general counsel.