Money makes the university go ‘round, and for the past nine years, Clinton Moffitt, interim CFO and associate vice president for finance was a key player in managing Fresno State’s finances.
But on Sept. 30, Moffitt, after almost 30 years in higher education, retired from his positions.
“I had a goal for about 20 years now,” said Moffitt on what prompted his retirement. “My goal was to go on a mission at the age of 62.”
And at 62 years old, Moffitt is set to achieve that goal. On Oct. 31, Moffitt and his wife will be going on an 18-month mission to Anchorage, Alaska, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“There aren’t any serious health issues, but there are some health issues to think about in the future,” Moffitt said. “There are things I want to do outside of higher education that I still want to do while I still have my health.”
As interim CFO, Moffitt’s duty was to manage the university’s budget, as well as being in charge of accounting and procurement activities.
“In my area of responsibility, the summer is extremely busy,” said Moffitt on his decision to retire during the school year. “We are closing the books; we are financially reporting because we are a June 30 fiscal year end.”
“My work is in the summer, more than any other time in the year. I’m more tied to June 30 and the subsequent audits after June 30, which basically wrap up by the end of September. That’s why I chose Sept. 30.”
When asked where he sees Fresno State financially in the future, Moffitt said, “I think you’re going to see a stabilization, a flattening out of state support for higher education. I think the state revenues are going to — of course, this is my own economic viewpoint — are going to level out.”
“I don’t think we’re going to go down like we did nine years ago when I came here, but I don’t think we’re going to see the continual growth that we’ve had — but that’s my viewpoint.”
Although the news of his retirement wasn’t made public until a few weeks ago, Moffitt, who is also chairman of the athletic corporation, said his colleagues have known since February.
“When I started to talk about my retirement with President Castro, he was shocked that I was thinking of leaving,” Moffitt said. “But I think he’s gotten used to it, that it’s going to happen.”
Kristopher Westcott, the executive assistant for the CFO, said he found out about Moffitt’s retirement when he got hired back in June.
“There was a little bit of uncertainty going in,” Westcott said. “I was looking forward to working with Clint.”
But Westcott, 26, who has known Moffitt since he was a student at Fresno State, said he loved working with him.
“He’s a straight-talker. He’s very honest, has a lot of integrity and we have a good connection,” Westcott said. “It’s kind of rough sometimes, in terms of scheduling and making sure things are straight, but we have a strong open-minded communication. We have a very transparent relationship, and I enjoyed working with him.”
Moffitt said the university has not selected his replacement.
“Dr. Castro has decided to extend the search,” Moffitt said. “The people who report to me have been assigned to different people. Some will report to Dr. Castro; the remainder will report to Vice President of Administration Deborah Adishian-Astone until a replacement is found.”
During his time at Fresno State, Moffitt said the biggest lesson he learned wasn’t about finance, but about the students — about who Fresno State students are and what the university is able to provide for them.
“An education at Fresno State is a great tool for these students to be able to have a better life in the future,” Moffitt said. “We’re the best when it comes to that. We’re trying to make a better life for students, and I think we’re really focused on doing that.
“Managing finances was very difficult. If I had known the roller coaster of finances when I came to work here, I might not have gotten on that roller coaster,” Moffitt said. “But when you learn what effect we’re having on students, that’s the important part.”
