Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Yellow tulips in front of Mitchell Memorial Library add to the scenery on campus as Mississippi State winds down for Spring Break. There will be no classes March 12-16, but university offices remain open. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs

University awarded $7 million TIGER grant for multimodal corridor
U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) announced last week a $7 million federal transportation grant for Mississippi State University to develop an approximately two-mile multimodal corridor on Hightower Road. The 2017 Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant was approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, recommended the project last October in a letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. The project also received the strong support of U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).

College of Arts and Sciences promotes strategic research initiatives
Radioactive waste, marine ecosystems and plants’ potential to protect against disease all are part of innovative research projects awarded by a new Mississippi State College of Arts and Sciences initiative. More than two dozen MSU faculty within the College of Arts and Sciences this semester took advantage of strategic research initiatives (SRI) offered by the college, which provide seed funds for new and innovative research.

Athletics Director John Cohen slated for MSU Retired Faculty meeting
Mississippi State Director of Athletics John Cohen will be the featured speaker at a March 20 meeting of the MSU Association of Retired Faculty. Cohen will provide an update on Bulldog sports teams, facilities and coaches. Membership in ARF is open to the university's retired faculty and professional staff. The ARF spring meeting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in the recently opened Old Main Academic Center

MSU to host NEH, Mississippi Humanities Council funding workshop
Mississippi State University’s Office of Research and Economic Development is welcoming visitors from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Mississippi Humanities Council to the Starkville campus March 19-20. Dan Sack, acting deputy director for the NEH’s Division of Research Programs, will be available to meet one-on-one with researchers on March 19 from 1-3 p.m. and 3:20-4:40 p.m., as well as March 20 from 8-9:20 a.m. Stuart Rockoff, executive director of the Mississippi Humanities Council in Jackson, will give a brief presentation on funding opportunities at 10:40 a.m.

PCSM accepting nominations for 2018 MSU Diversity Awards
The President's Commission on the Status of Minorities is accepting nominations for the 2018 MSU Diversity Awards. The annual awards program is designed to recognize individuals and teams of individuals who have demonstrated a significant commitment to enhancing diversity at Mississippi State University or within the community. Nomination packets are due no later than 5 p.m. on March 20.

Everything Garden Expo returning to Mississippi Horse Park
The Everything Garden Expo, presented by the Oktibbeha County Master Gardeners, will return to the Mississippi Horse Park this month. Jane Loveless, chairman of the two-day event, said almost 60 vendors will be selling plants, tools, garden art and other items. An antique tractor show will be part of the event on the first day. Children’s programs and activities both days will ensure there is something for everyone. Gary Bachman and Jim DelPrince, horticulture specialists with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, will conduct programs the first day.

Classics of all kinds highlight MSU Riley Center spring/summer series
Classics will rule the stage as the MSU Riley Center presents its 2018 Spring/Summer Performing Arts Series, starting April 14 with a concert by the powerhouse rock band Jefferson Starship. “Each of our performers and productions in the Spring/Summer Series has, in some exceptional way, stood the test of time,” said Dennis Sankovich, the Riley Center’s executive director. “What better fit could we have for our Victorian gem of a theater? It made its grand debut in 1890, regained its youthful vigor in 2006, thanks to a loving restoration, and has since inspired the ongoing revival of Meridian’s historic downtown.”

Maroon Goes Green: Recycling reminders
Mississippi State University currently recycles an average of 60,400 pounds per month. The campus-wide sustainability initiative "Maroon Goes Green" is continuing its efforts to increase recycling awareness and participation among the campus community. Custodial staff members continue to be an integral part of this process and are committed to helping us increase our recycling numbers. To reduce contamination of recyclables, the Office of Sustainability is working to ensure all offices have bins with blue bags for recyclables only and to have convenient trash containers placed in buildings throughout campus.

Policy reminders from University Health Services
University Health Services at Mississippi State reminds the campus community of several important policies for its patients to keep in mind when seeking treatment, parking, refilling a prescription, privacy and more.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 03/12/18
Women's Basketball hosts an NCAA Tournament Selection Show at 4:45 p.m. on Monday at Humphrey Coliseum ... Softball is on the road to Birmingham on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. game against Samford, visits Memphis for a game at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, and travels to Columbia for a weekend series with Missouri with games on Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at noon ... Baseball plays Southeastern Louisiana in Biloxi on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., and then hosts Vanderbilt with games on Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. ... Men's Basketball hosts Nebraska on Wednesday at 8 p.m. in an opening round of the NIT ... Women's Tennis hosts Vanderbilt at 3 p.m. on Thursday and Kentucky on Saturday at 1 p.m. ... Men's Tennis plays Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Friday at 6 p.m. ... Men's Golf starts play Friday in The Schenkel in Statesboro, Georgia ... Women's Golf starts play Sunday in The Evans Derby Experience at Auburn.

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Parrott named chief information officer
Steve Parrott, a Mississippi State alumnus with 34 years of information technology experience, is the university’s new chief information officer. Parrott had served as interim CIO since July 2017. He succeeds former CIO Mike Rackley, who retired last year. “After an exhaustive national search, we are pleased to announce that Steve Parrott is MSU’s new chief information officer,” MSU Provost and Executive Vice President Judy Bonner said. “He is dedicated to the highest level of quality for the university’s technology infrastructure, systems and user services."

Lippillo honored with 2018 South Arts State Fellowship
A faculty member in Mississippi State University’s College of Architecture, Art and Design is being recognized for his role in advancing Southern vitality through the arts. Dominic Lippillo, an associate professor in the university’s Department of Art, is among nine visual artists from around the region receiving a $5,000 State Fellowship from Atlanta, Georgia-based nonprofit South Arts. Now in their second year, the South Arts State Fellowships and Southern Prize mission is to celebrate and support the highest quality artistic work being created in the American South.

MSU Extension app for fruit growers wins award
Designing an app that helps fruit growers know how many chill hours their crops have accumulated earned one Mississippi State University Extension Service specialist a regional award. Eric Stafne is an Extension fruit crops specialist at the South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station in Poplarville. He received a Blue Ribbon Extension Communications Award for the app in February from the Southern Region of the American Society for Horticultural Science. Stafne searched for an alternative method to gather this information. He ultimately gave his findings to app designer Kelli Alexander of the Extension Center for Technology Outreach, who made the app.

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