President Mark E. Keenum, second from right, joined in celebrating Baptist Memorial Health Care’s purchase of OCH Regional Medical Center and the future of healthcare in the county. Pictured during last Monday’s [Oct. 6] event are, from left, Lauri Sansing, Chief Nursing Officer, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Oktibbeha County; Mac Flynt, Administrator and CEO, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Oktibbeha County; Jason Little, President and CEO, Baptist Memorial Health Care; Marvell Howard, President, Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors; Keenum; and Robby Gathings, Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporate Board of Directors member. PHOTO: Grace Cockrell | Public Affairs
Gordon joins national ag organization NAADA’s Board of Directors
Mississippi State’s Lacey Gordon has been unanimously elected as education chair for the National Agricultural Alumni and Development Association Board of Directors, or NAADA. Gordon, assistant director of development for MSU Extension, the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, will assist in NAADA leadership into 2026. The 501(c)3 not for profit national organization is in its 51st year. Gordon’s term of service began July 1 along with more than 20 other board members from across the U.S. following NAADA’s 50th annual conference. A third-generation Bulldog from Saltillo, Gordon earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in communication in 2018. She joined the university in her professional capacity in 2021.
Lyceum in the ‘Fast Lane’: Eagles tribute band Disco Stranglers headline Lee Hall performance Friday
From “Hotel California” to “Life in the Fast Lane,” fans of the legendary ’70s rock band Eagles are set to enjoy a night of hit singles and deep tracks from the Starkville-based Disco Stranglers this week. Borrowing their name from an iconic song off “The Long Run,” Disco Stranglers is part of MSU’s 78th annual Lyceum Series, performing at 7 p.m., Friday [Oct. 17], at Lee Hall’s historic Bettersworth Auditorium. Known for their start-to-finish cover of the classic 1976 album “Hotel California,” band members bring an authentic Eagles sound to every performance, which features steel, acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, keyboards, bass and drums. The group was founded by and features numerous members with Mississippi State ties, including Jerry Carnathan, Bill Cooke, Bob Damm, Drew Diekmann, Raymond Miller and Dale Robertson.
MSU Extension launches Walk Mississippi challenge
A new exercise and nutrition initiative is challenging Mississippians to improve their health and fitness, one step at a time. Walk Mississippi and Live Healthy... One Step at a Time is a six-week wellness program developed by the Mississippi State University Extension Service that encourages youth and adults to be more physically active and adopt healthier nutritional habits. The objective is for everyone who signs up to virtually walk 180 miles (the equivalent of the width of Mississippi), learn strategies and tips from MSU Extension’s Walk-a-Weigh wellness program, and improve dietary and lifestyle behaviors. This no-cost program officially begins Oct. 11 and wraps up on Nov. 21.
Airport shuttle departure schedule adjusted to meet airline baggage check changes
A 45-minute cutoff for checking baggage with Delta and American airlines has changed the express shuttle times offered by Mississippi State Transportation to Golden Triangle Regional Airport. The GTRA express shuttle now departs The Mill at MSU two hours before flight time and arrives at the airport one and a half hours before flight time. This is 30 minutes earlier than the previous schedule. Shuttle pickups from the Starkville campus and hotels along Highway 12 also can be scheduled with MSU if reservations are made at least 24 hours prior to the requested departure time from these locations. This service is available by emailing GTRShuttle@transportation.msstate.edu or calling 662-325-5204.
Free learning opportunities via LinkedIn Learning available to faculty, staff and students
Sharpen skills. Explore new interests. Increase professional value. These and other results are available via no-cost learning opportunities to Mississippi State faculty, staff and students through MSU’s agreement with LinkedIn Learning. A popular, online education platform, LinkedIn Learning’s 20,000-plus courses are available to campus via a quick login using their MSU NetID email addresses. With self-paced learning, courses are presented in various formats, including bite-sized video, audio only and in-depth content. The platform is directly integrated with Canvas, the university’s learning management system. MSU faculty can use it to supplement course material or even develop and load their own content onto the platform.
Smoke-free policy enhances healthy environment
Mississippi State University is a smoke-free campus. Official policy prohibits the use of any combustible or vapor products anywhere on campus property including university buildings, university grounds, university vehicles, parking areas and sidewalks. The smoke-free campus policy is part of the university's commitment to creating a healthy environment for all members of the campus community. Use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah or other similar devices are prohibited by this policy. The complete policy is available at www.policies.msstate.edu/policy/91301.
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