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No. 1 in the world: MSU takes top spot in ScholarGPS aquaculture rankings
For the second year in a row, Mississippi State is the best in the world at studying aquaculture, according to ScholarGPS’ global institutional rankings. “Mississippi State University has long been a national and international leader in aquaculture innovation, and we remain committed to working with our many partners to ensure continued success for this vital sector,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said. “My early professional life here at MSU in the Department of Agricultural Economics and MSU Extension Service was focused on catfish production, and so I have a great appreciation and respect for our faculty who are engaged in this meaningful research and who are also providing our students with exceptional hands-on learning and research opportunities.” ScholarGPS evaluates institutions by publication productivity, research quality and meaningful impact.
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Faculty members secure grant for region’s first advanced scanning electron microscope
Mississippi State’s Institute for Imaging and Analytical Technologies soon will be home to a scanning electron microscope so advanced that it will be the first of its kind in the region and one of less than 10 in North America. SU has been awarded more than $700,000 through a Major Research Instrumentation grant from the National Science Foundation, enabling the university’s acquisition of the cutting-edge tool. Installation of the new SEM is scheduled to be completed in early 2026 at the institute, also known as I2AT, located in MSU’s Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering Professor and Southern Ionics Chair Santanu Kundu said the investment will significantly boost the university’s research capabilities across multiple disciplines, providing advanced high-resolution imaging essential for various fields.
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What’s Old is New Again: MSU's 104-year-old State Fountain Bakery makes return to original, newly renovated site
Crowds may be flocking to new and trendy bread and pastry shops these days, but sometimes getting back to what’s familiar can tickle the taste buds a little more. State Fountain Bakery has been preparing desirable delicacies like dog bone cookies, chess pies and caramel cakes on the campus of Mississippi State University for more than 100 years, a feat many businesses might envy. The essential ingredient: it’s a place shaped by community -- the Bulldog family. While the bakery’s size has fluctuated through the years and products have come and gone, loyal campus bakers like Angel Jennings continue to mix up recipes -- many of them longtime secrets -- starting around 3 a.m. in preparation for an early morning of hungry students, employees, alumni and visitors.
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MSU Online celebrating National Distance Learning Week
Mississippi State Online is recognizing the success of its students and the continued growth of its distance education programs during National Distance Learning Week, Nov. 3–7. “Even from miles away, our online students are fully a part of the Mississippi State community,” said Tracy Craven, associate director of MS State Online. “National Distance Learning Week celebrates that connection and reminds every Bulldog that they are right where they belong.” Throughout the week, MSU Online is hosting interactive Webex sessions, faculty and staff trainings, student-centered events and daily social media contests to highlight the impact and innovation of online learning at MSU.
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Imaginarium Creativity, STEAM Discovery Center open for young learners at MSU
Mississippi State is sparking imagination and innovation in young minds through its new Imaginarium Creativity and STEAM Discovery Center. STEAM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, art and math. Now open at 129 Morgan Ave., the Imaginarium is more than a science center -- it's a creative lab that encourages children to become problem-solvers, makers and future innovators. The Imaginarium, part of the College of Education, is open for field trips with plans to expand into regular public hours. Sareh Karami and Mehdi Garemani, faculty members in MSU’s Department of Counseling, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations, launched the Imaginarium to give children and families in rural areas of the Magnolia State access to hands-on STEAM activities that foster learning, creativity and critical thinking skills.
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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.
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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.
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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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National Academy of Sciences taps Dapper for international Kavli symposium
Adding to her growing list of accomplishments, Mississippi State University Associate Professor Amy Dapper is a Kavli Frontier, a distinction awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences that connects outstanding scientists in an international forum to develop new solutions to global challenges. An evolutionary geneticist in MSU’s Department of Biological Sciences, Dapper participated in the Japanese-American-German Kavli Frontiers of Science symposium in California in October. The program brings together outstanding early-career researchers from across the world to foster cross-disciplinary exchange of ideas. Angus Dawe, department head, said, “This is an incredible honor for Dr. Dapper and further recognition that her research program is pushing the boundaries of evolutionary genetics. As a department, we couldn’t be prouder of her achievements.”
National grant supports Cardozo-Gaibisso’s project connecting language, environmental education to elementary students
Mississippi State’s Lourdes Cardozo-Gaibisso, an assistant professor specializing in teaching English to speakers of other languages and linguistics, will help Magnolia State elementary students learn about environmental issues and their impact on communities. Cardozo-Gaibisso, an English department faculty member in the College of Arts and Sciences, is serving as coprincipal investigator with Principal Investigator Ayca Fackler of the University of Missouri on a $427,478 grant from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The project aims to help disadvantaged communities in Mississippi explore and learn more about water and climate challenges, and their effects on local environments.
Dodds earns national honor for book on premodern women’s writing
Mississippi State English Department Head Lara Dodds is earning national recognition for advancing women’s contributions to early modern literature. The Society for the Study of Early Modern Women and Gender presented Dodds with the Collaborative Project Award for her recent book “Early Modern Women’s Writing and the Future of Literary History” in October. “The creative and artistic achievements of early women writers have not been fully appreciated, and our book explains the reasons why. I was especially pleased that the awards committee noted the relevance of our book to any scholars, teachers and students interested in premodern literature and culture,” said Dodds, who co-authored the book with Michelle M. Dowd of the University of Alabama.
Carter selected for state tourism board
An Extension specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Center for Government and Community Development has been appointed to the state’s tourism board. Rachael Carter was selected as an at-large member of the Mississippi Tourism Association Marketing Advisory Board Oct. 15 by Governor Tate Reeves. She will serve on the committee for the remainder of Reeves’ term. Carter’s Extension specialties include community development, downtown revitalization, tourism, economics and natural resources policy. She also teaches a Foundations of Tourism course at MSU. Carter and GCD colleague William Poindexter coordinate MSU Extension’s Excellence in Tourism Leadership Program, held in collaboration with the Mississippi Tourism Association.
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