Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

MSU video program manager David Garraway directs and produces last week's live webcast of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning meeting from the Hunter Henry Center. During the meeting, board members were welcomed by MSU President Mark Keenum who gave an update on the university, and they viewed a video about the institution created by MSU University Relations and the Television Center. PHOTO: Megan Bean | University Relations

No-cost lab safety training session Tuesday
The Office of Regulatory Compliance and Safety is offering an interactive, hands-on training course on general laboratory safety. "Introduction to Laboratory Safety" is a three-hour seminar for laboratory users of all experience levels. The first session of the summer takes place this Tuesday.

MSU joining exclusive list as presidential library host
Mississippi State will officially serve as host to a presidential library -- one of only five universities in the nation to share such a distinction. Ulysses S. Grant Association President Frank J. Williams formally announced the decision of the organization's board of directors to designate the Ulysses S. Grant Collection at MSU's Mitchell Memorial Library as the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library.

Retirement reception for Glenn Steele on June 6
The offices of the Provost and Executive Vice President and Vice President for Research and Economic Development, the Bagley College of Engineering, and the Energy Institute cordially invite the Mississippi State University community to attend a June 6 retirement reception honoring Glenn Steele and recognizing his contributions to MSU over the past 33 years.

Outdoor Channel using MSU's BuckScore tool
Mississippi State University's BuckScore software is now the official scoring system for the Outdoor Channel. Developed by scientists in the university's Forest and Wildlife Research Center and Extension Service, MSU licensed the product in 2010 to NBFog. The software and intellectual property were developed by Steve Demarais, professor of wildlife ecology and management; Bronson Strickland, associate Extension professor of wildlife ecology and management; and graduate student Jeremy Flinn.

Maroon Volunteer Center: Volunteer this summer
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including Building Bridges for Kids, Red Cross disaster training, Togo medical mission drive, and more.

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 online, and privacy.

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.

MSU among Folklife Festival land-grants
Mississippi State University's celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act, which led to the founding of land-grant universities, will include participation in the June 27-July 8 Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C. "We are very enthusiastic about the opportunity to showcase Mississippi State as part of this national platform to demonstrate how land-grant universities are leading the way in research, technology and innovation," said MSU President Mark E. Keenum.

Picnic ushers in summer for Bagley College
Sunny skies and cheerful spirits marked the beginning of summer for Bagley College of Engineering faculty and staff at the annual appreciation picnic. On May 8, faculty and staff from all of the college's department and centers gathered on the Drill Field to enjoy barbecue, fried catfish and all the fixings. After lunch, Dean Sarah Rajala updated the audience about the status of the college and presented some end-of-the-year awards.

Peterson named director of IGBB
Daniel Peterson has been appointed director of the Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing, and Biotechnology at Mississippi State University. A professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, he has been a faculty member at MSU since 2002. His research is focused on exploring the structure and evolution of eukaryotic genomes using genomic, cytogenetic, molecular biology and computational biology techniques.

Faculty leadership program nominations wanted
The Office of Research and Economic Development will again be conducting an academic leadership program for selected faculty at Mississippi State University. The 2012-13 program will begin in September, and nominations are being accepted until May 31.