Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum addresses the Southeastern Conference’s Academic Leadership Development Program last Tuesday [Oct. 14] during a luncheon in Colvard Student Union’s Foster Ballroom. Attendees from all 16 SEC institutions heard from speakers on a variety of topics impacting higher education during the multi-day event hosted by MSU. PHOTO: Emily Grace McCall | Public Affairs
MSU announces 2025 Homecoming Court royalty
Mississippi State’s 2025 Homecoming Court, featuring this year’s Bulldog royalty, will be presented during halftime of this Saturday’s [Oct. 25] Homecoming football game against the University of Texas. This year’s reigning Homecoming King and Queen are Jeffrey Johnson Jr. of Jackson and BellaRuth Steward of Sikeston, Missouri. Johnson is a finance major, and Steward is a marketing major with a pre-occupational therapy concentration. This year’s Miss MSU is senior biological sciences major Sneha Cherukuri of Madison, and Mr. MSU is a senior biochemistry major August Jones of Bay Springs. Both are pursuing pre-medical concentrations. For more on 2025 Homecoming Week activities, visit https://www.msstate.edu/homecoming. For more information on MSU gameday activities, visit www.hailstate.com/gameday.
Mississippi State recognized for excellent safety culture
Mississippi State is gaining widespread recognition for its excellent safety culture. The national Campus Safety, Health and Environmental Management Association, or CSHEMA, recently recognized key messaging from MSU’s chief executive, a campus safety initiative and an up-and-coming member of the university’s Environmental Health and Safety professional staff. MSU President Mark E. Keenum’s “Excellence in Safety Message Video” claimed a 2025 Marketing Single Media Award. EHS, part of the university’s Office of Compliance and Risk Management, also received a 2025 Innovation Award for Safety Culture for its “Excellence in Safety—Graded Reviews Initiative.” Michael Bratcher received the Rising Star Award in recognition of outstanding contributions since joining the EHS staff as an occupational safety specialist in 2023.
Night in the Archives showcases renovation at MSU Libraries
Mississippi State University Libraries invites the campus and community to an evening of discovery, celebration and history at Night in the Archives, a special open house and ribbon-cutting event Friday [Oct. 24] at 5:30 p.m. Held in the newly renovated Archives and Special Collections on the third floor of Mitchell Memorial Library, the event will highlight improvements that enhance both the preservation of rare materials and overall visitor experience. “This renovation marks a major step forward in how we protect and share the university’s most treasured documents and unique collections,” said David Nolen, professor and associate dean for Archives and Special Collections. “We’re excited to welcome the public into this refreshed space that supports research, teaching and engagement.”
MSU CAVS Extension to lead technical delivery of BOOST MS Pilot Program in partnership with MMA-MEP, AccelerateMS
Mississippi State’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems Extension, in collaboration with the Mississippi Manufacturers Association–Manufacturing Extension Partnership, or MMA-MEP, and AccelerateMS, is announcing the BOOST MS Pilot Program to guide small and medium-sized manufacturers through the strategic adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies. BOOST MS stands for Bringing Operational Optimization and Smart Technology to Mississippi. The new initiative is made possible through a $994,623 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission, and part of a broader $1.4 million investment in Mississippi’s Appalachian counties. “The BOOST MS program represents a pivotal leap forward for Mississippi manufacturers,” said Tonya McCall, MSU CAVS-E director.
UN highlights MSU’s aquatic food research at FAO World Food Forum
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is recognizing Mississippi State for its efforts to alleviate world hunger through developing sustainable aquatic food systems. MSU’s Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security is being showcased for its technical leadership, collaboration and innovation in sustainable agrifood systems transformation as part of the FAO’s 80th anniversary celebrations during the 2025 FAO World Food Forum last week. “GCAHFS is very pleased to represent MSU in receiving this recognition,” said Director Mark Lawrence. “Since 2013, we have partnered with FAO to support aquatic food security globally, including teaching farmers about rice-fish farming in Nigeria and implementing aquaculture biosecurity in Bangladesh.”
MSU strengthens leadership in aquatic health with antimicrobial resistance workshop
Mississippi State University is advancing research, education, and partnerships that make a positive impact on local waters to global food systems through its second annual Aquatic Antimicrobial Resistance Workshop. Hosted last week by the Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security and the Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine, the program builds on the success of last year’s inaugural event. The 2025 workshop brought together more than 40 faculty, graduate students and professionals from seven MSU departments, as well as three other universities and private companies to share innovative solutions for combating antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture.
Amazon and Arable join MSU to deliver irrigation solutions
Mississippi State is partnering with tech giant Amazon and leading agricultural technology company Arable in helping farmers conserve water and save money. The Mississippi Delta initiative is one of more than 30 worldwide projects Amazon has announced for its campaign to be water positive -- contributing more water to the environment than the company consumes -- by 2030. Drew Gholson, a scientist with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and irrigation specialist with the MSU Extension Service, attributes the intensifying pressure on the Mississippi River Alluvial Aquifer, or MRVA, to increasing demand for permitted wells and irrigated acres.
DAFVM Spotlight: Chelsea Jackson
Working in the intensive care unit at the Mississippi State University Animal Health Center can be daunting, but Chelsea Jackson, ICU technician I and lead overnight head technician, has found immense reward in the work. Jackson helps stabilize critical patients and care for hospitalized animals transferred from other departments of the Animal Health Center, which is located at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Emergencies in the ICU range from something as simple as a torn toenail to life-saving surgical procedures. “Getting to be a part of the reason why someone’s animal gets to go home makes the hardships and sad times worth it,” Jackson said. Her passion for the field began while she was a veterinary technician student working in the ER and ICU during clinical rotations. Shadowing Nancy Williams, then ICU supervisor, was a pivotal moment.
DAFVM Spotlight: Katrina McCalphia
Thirty years ago, Katrina McCalphia joined Mississippi State University Extension to provide stability for her family. What she found was a lifelong calling as an MSU Extension Agent. She stayed because the work gave her opportunities to serve others while continuing to grow personally and professionally. “It is mind-blowing to think that one decision to support my family has repeatedly brought me growth and opportunities,” McCalphia said. In her role, McCalphia provides youth with educational experiences that help them build valuable skills. She also equips families with resources on financial literacy, health and wellness, and other important topics.
Shertok shares award-winning poetry debut Monday
Mississippi State’s Department of English hosts poet and Assistant Professor Samyak Shertok for a public reading from his debut collection “No Rhododendron” Monday [Oct. 20] at 5:30 p.m. in Forum Room 401, Griffis Hall. Free and open to the public, a Q&A and book signing follow the reading. “I hope that those attending the reading will leave with an appreciation not only for the power and possibilities of poetry, but for the talent we have at MSU. Dr. Shertok is a brilliant poet and teacher, and we’re so fortunate to have him as part of the English department,” said Professor Becky Hagenston, who directs the department’s creative writing program.
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.
The Office of Public Affairs provides Maroon MEMO as a general information
resource for Mississippi State University employees.
Web links are subject to change. Submit news, questions or comments to
Jim Laird.
