Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Daffodils brighten the campus landscape in anticipation of warm weather and Spring Break, which is underway this week. Beth Newman | University Relations

Nominations wanted for Research Awards
The nomination period has opened for Mississippi State's 2011 Research Awards and the Ralph E. Powe Research Excellence Award. Employees and students are encouraged to submit nominations for this year's program.

Fulbright ambassador visiting March 24
The Office of International Program Development at Mississippi State will host a Fulbright Scholar Program information session with George Wright, a Fulbright ambassador, on March 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Colvard Student Union's Fowlkes Auditorium.

Health plan info online at myBlue site
Mississippi State employees have access now to the myBlue website from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi. The secure and personalized site provides access to health care claims and benefit information provided by the Mississippi State and School Employees' Health Insurance Plan.

Sign up now for Faculty/Staff Golf League
The Mississippi State Faculty/Staff Golf League will hold its annual kick-off meeting Tuesday, March 22, at 5:15 p.m. in the Sanderson Center Conference Room.

LEDGER: State pension payments at risk
The Clarion-Ledger reported over the weekend that at the height of the political drama over redrawing district lines, the state Senate quietly approved a budget bill that the state's pension manager says could shut down the retirement system.

Library exhibit commemorates MSU's 133rd
A new exhibit in Mitchell Memorial Library takes part in wishing Mississippi State University a happy 133rd birthday this month. Display cases are showcasing MSU's presidents, yearbooks, Mississippi State apparel and more memorabilia.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 03/14/11
Baseball hosts Eastern Illinois Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., and travels to Nashville for a game with Lipscomb Wednesday at 6 p.m., and an SEC series with Vanderbilt this weekend... Softball travels to Gainesville for a double-header with Florida on Wednesday, and then hosts Arkansas this weekend... Men's Golf opens play in the Schenkel E-Z-Go Invitational on Saturday... Men's Tennis is in Columbia on Saturday for a match with South Carolina... Track and Field competes in the Ragin' Cajun Classic Saturday in Lafayette, La.

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resource for Mississippi State University employees.

Web links are subject to change. Submit news, questions or comments to Jim Laird.

LEAP taps 14 for 2011 program
Fourteen Mississippi State staff members are new participants in the university's 2011 Learning Experience for Aspiring Professionals program.

Gary Packwood named new MSU choral director
An Alabama musician with national and international conducting experience is becoming the new director of choral activities at Mississippi State. Gary D. Packwood assumes his new duties on campus this fall.

Barnes & Noble announces Spring Break hours
Barnes & Noble at Mississippi State will have special hours of operation during Spring Break. The bookstore will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Post Office adjusts window hours for Spring Break
The MSU Post Office will have reduced window hours during Spring Break. Window hours this week will be 9 a.m. to noon. Normal hours will resume March 21.