Mississippi State Director of Athletics Zac Selmon passes out candy to a participant in the T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability’s 12th annual Trick or Trot fun run earlier this month. The community event is the center’s largest fundraiser and benefits Project IMPACT, a special education program. PHOTO: Grace Cockrell | Public Affairs
Willard concludes service as chair of APLU committee
Scott Willard, dean of Mississippi State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, has served as chair of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities', or APLU’s, Academic Programs Committee on Organization and Policy, or ACOP, this past year. In this role, Willard has led the executive committee of the Academic Programs Section, or APS, which operates under the Board on Agriculture Assembly, or BAA, within the APLU. “Our goal has been to ensure academic programs at the nation’s land-grant universities align with national priorities in agricultural education and workforce development,” Willard explained.
Big picture: MSU scientists design satellite data technology to help farmers boost yields
Mississippi State University researchers are developing CropVista, a satellite data-powered technology designed to provide near real-time field insights and boost on-farm productivity. “We aim to create a platform that makes it easy for farmers to visualize what’s happening in their fields in near real time. The ultimate goal is to boost monitoring and productivity, especially in the face of challenges like climate change. This project will run for four years, but we’re focused on developing something that lasts much longer than that,” said Vitor Martins, assistant professor in MSU’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and researcher in the university’s Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. “We want to give farmers a platform that helps them succeed long after our research is done.”
Exploring the ties that bind: Humanities series focuses on community engagement, social bonds
Mississippi State University’s Institute for the Humanities is launching its fall series with a new theme: “Building Community -- the Humanities as Social Glue.” The series will explore how humanistic activities foster social connections and democratic engagement. “By cutting across disciplines and drawing on insights from our campus and the Starkville community, we’ll examine how everyday practices -- whether choir rehearsals, football tailgates or reading the local paper -- help strengthen communication and collaboration at local, national and even global levels,” said Morgan Robinson, institute director and an associate professor of history.
Graduate School recognizes faculty, staff for 'Excellence in Service'
Mississippi State University’s Graduate School honored four outstanding faculty and staff members -- Melody Fisher, Kevin Armstrong, Quintara Miller and Tamra Swann -- for their exceptional contributions to graduate education at the annual Graduate Coordinator Workshop in late September. The “Excellence in Service” awards recognize individuals who have demonstrated exemplary service in their roles as advocates and leaders within their respective departments. Associate Dean of the Graduate School W. Brien Henry said, “These individuals have gone above and beyond in their service to our students and faculty. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and thank them for their unwavering commitment to excellence.”
Swanson wins 2024 Welty Prize for new book
Mississippi State University Assistant Professor Kemeshia Swanson is this year’s recipient of the Eudora Welty Prize for her new book.
The annual award is bestowed by the Mississippi University for Women in collaboration with the University Press of Mississippi. Named after the celebrated Southern author, the Welty Prize honors works that deepen the understanding of culture, identity and the human experience. Swanson, also nominated for the 2024 Museum of African American History’s Stone Book Award, will give a reading at the Eudora Welty Writers’ Symposium, Oct. 24-26, in Columbus, alongside other prominent authors.
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Joseph Miller
Joseph Miller found the perfect blend of passion and profession as an agricultural technician at Mississippi State University’s J.W. Starr Memorial Forest, a sprawling 8,321-acre living laboratory. Situated in Oktibbeha and Winston Counties, the forest is named after former MSU Forestry faculty member John W. Starr and is managed by the Forest and Wildlife Research Center. It serves as a resource for teaching, research, and demonstration, and Miller plays a crucial role in its upkeep. “I’ve been doing this kind of work my whole life, and I love it,” said Miller. Miller said his favorite part of his job is having a forest for his office. Spending his workdays surrounded by nature is a privilege he never takes for granted.
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Tom Thompson
Among the world-class researchers and cream of the crop students at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University is a person who is responsible for capturing it all on camera. For the past 30 years, Tom Thompson has documented research, clinical procedures, surgeries and thousands of faculty, staff, students and animals through his photography. “The diversity of photography needs -- people and animals -- it keeps everything interesting and sharpens my skill,” Thompson said. Throughout his career, Thompson has photographed a wide range of fascinating animals, from reptiles like pythons and iguanas to large mammals such as tigers, lions, and even dolphins.
Open enrollment for benefits underway
Open enrollment for 2025 for benefits-eligible Mississippi State University employees is from Oct. 1-31, 2024. This is your opportunity to review your coverage, make any necessary changes and ensure your benefits meet your needs and those of your family. If you do not make any changes, your current coverage will carry over through next year. The deadline for submission is Oct. 31, 2024, 5 p.m. No changes will be accepted after this date. If you have any questions or require assistance during the open enrollment process, please contact us at 662-325-3713 or benefits@hrm.msstate.edu.
Application window open for university teaching awards
Mississippi State is accepting applications for the 2025 Grisham Master Teacher, Donald Zacharias Early Career Undergraduate Teaching Excellence and the Alumni Association Graduate and/or Professional Teaching Excellence awards. Visit www.provost.msstate.edu/announcements/2024/09/university-teaching-awards for more information and to download documents associated with the submission process. Interested faculty must submit an electronic application in PDF form to the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President via email to grishamaward@provost.msstate.edu by Oct. 27 if their teaching can only be observed in the fall 2024 semester or by Jan. 5 if their teaching can be observed in the spring 2025 semester. All current full-time faculty members at MSU with the required years of service, regardless of rank, are eligible to apply for these awards. Late applications will not be accepted.
Applications open for annual community engagement awards
Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to apply for a 2024 Mississippi State University Excellence in Community Engagement Award on behalf of a project in the following categories: Community-Engaged Service, Community-Engaged Research and Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning. A $3,000 award will be given in each of those areas to recognize outstanding work and support its continuation. Projects that achieve honorable mention will receive $1,000. Applicants should be aware that the MSU CE Awards are not a grant proposal process but a recognition of existing projects. Submissions are due Oct. 30 at 11:59 p.m. Community Partner feedback forms are due by Nov. 1 at noon.
Reminder: University policy addresses employee political activity
With campaigning for elected offices underway this year, Mississippi State's Office of General Counsel offers the following reminder of the university’s policy on political activities. There are several basic guidelines that university employees should keep in mind when engaging in any form of political activity. MSU employees are encouraged to review OP 01.14: Political Activities in its entirety and to understand their rights and responsibilities.
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 now available via no-cost learning opportunities to Mississippi State faculty, staff and students through MSU’s new 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.
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