Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Four representatives of the Mississippi State University Extension Service received awards at the 2012 Extension Disaster Education Network annual meeting for their statewide efforts to promote awareness of animal, plant and food disasters: Ryan Akers (left to right), Starkville; Patty Swearingen, Meridian; Greg Biggs, Clinton; and Linda Breazeale, Starkville. PHOTO: Anne Howard Hilbun | MSU Center for Governmental Training and Technology

Policy addresses employee political activity
With political campaigns for the White House, Congress and Mississippi Supreme Court culminating in Tuesday’s general election, Mississippi State's Office of General Counsel reminds employees to be aware 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.

University Health Services: Get the shot — not the flu
University Health Services at Mississippi State reminds students, faculty and staff to get the flu shot -- not the flu. A series of clinics offering flu shots will be offered on campus this fall, including one this Tuesday in the second floor lobby of Mitchell Memorial Library from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Wednesday in room 110 of Dorman Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This is Our State bracelets support United Way
It's easy to show your spirit for both Mississippi State University and the United Way by purchasing a "Grindin' for My State/This is Our State" bracelet. The bracelets are only $5 each (including shipping), and proceeds help support the agencies of the United Way of North Central Mississippi.

Harper delivers Collins Speaker Series address
U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper stayed true to the guiding purpose behind Mississippi State University's Morris W.H. "Bill" Collins Speaker Series -- starting a frank and open conversation about his life. His presentation in the John Grisham Room at Mitchell Memorial Library last Thursday gave Harper the chance to talk about his life experiences as a person, politician and historian.

Volunteer for Saturday's Sweet Potato Drop
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including Bulldogs on the Move, One Million Bones, Emerson's community garden, Salvation Army store volunteers, and the Society of St. Andrew's sweet potato drop this Saturday.

Phillips' journal article sees download milestones
Tommy M. Phillips, an assistant professor of human development and family studies in the School of Human Sciences at Mississippi State, has a journal article that is hitting download milestones. The article, "The Influence of Family Structure Vs. Family Climate on Adolescent Well-Being," is now the second most downloaded article for the Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. It has been climbing the ranks over the past few months.

PCSW luncheon to focus on stress management
The President's Commission on the Status of Women at Mississippi State University will hold a "Food For Thought" Luncheon on Thursday. The event, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., is co-sponsored by the President's Commission on the Status of Minorities, and will be held in the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems' Trotter Seminar Room.

McGrew shares tips to prevent phishing scams
In every corner of the Internet, high-tech “phishers” are baiting their hooks, hoping to lure a prize catch: the account data and personal information of unsuspecting computer-users all across the country. “The idea behind phishing is that an attacker will try to get you to enter your information into a decoy website that looks exactly like the legitimate one you are used to using,” said Wesley McGrew, a scientist at Mississippi State University’s Center for Cyber Security Research.

Fulbright Ambassador to visit campus Nov. 16
The International Institute at Mississippi State University will host Fulbright Ambassador Rachel Stevens for a visit on Nov. 16 from 2-3:30 p.m. in Colvard Student Union, Room 324. A professor in the art department at New Mexico State University, Stevens will provide an overview to U.S. citizen faculty and administrators holding terminal degrees who are interested in competing for a U.S. Department of State Fulbright scholarship.

Mississippi State calendars now on sale
There's no place like home. The 2013 Mississippi State University hanging wall calendar features a sleek, modern design, with 13 beautiful images of campus scenes. Featuring MSU's own award-winning photographers, it's truly a one-of-a- kind treasure. Get yours today before they are sold out.

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.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 11/05/12
Men's Tennis begins play at the Bulldog Scramble in Athens, Ga., on Thursday... Women's Tennis starts play in the Jack Kramer Club Invite in Los Angeles, as well as at the Lakewood Ranch Invite in Sarasota, Fla., on Friday... Volleyball travels to South Carolina for a match in Columbia on Friday at 6 p.m.... Men's Basketball is on the road to Troy on Friday for a game that will tip off at 7 p.m.... Women's Basketball hosts Houston at 7 p.m. on Friday... Football is on the road to Baton Rouge for a game against LSU on Saturday.

The Office of Public Affairs provides Maroon MEMO as a general information
resource for Mississippi State University employees.

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Easley named Sponsored Programs Admin director
Jennifer Easley is the new director of sponsored programs administration at Mississippi State. Beginning Nov. 1, she will lead the university office responsible for overseeing externally sponsored programs as the land-grant institution's authorized signature for grants, contracts, and other such formal agreements. "She comes to this position with an understanding of the complexities of sponsored programs, having been involved in both the pre- and post-award areas at MSU since 2004," said David Shaw, vice president for research and economic development, in making the announcement.

Blanton to lead Animal and Dairy Science
Mississippi State University named John Blanton Jr., a researcher with 20 years of experience in animal and food science, head of the Department of Animal and Dairy Science. “Dr. Blanton is coming to an MSU department with an outstanding record of teaching, research and service, and we are confident that record will only get better under his leadership,” said George Hopper, dean of MSU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Faculty, administrators named leadership fellows
Four Mississippi State administrators and faculty members are among 46 named recently as 2012-13 Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program fellows: Mitchell E. Berman, head of the university's psychology department; Devon Brenner, head of the curriculum, instruction, and special education department; Allison Pearson, Giles Distinguished Professor of Management in the management and information systems department; and John M. Usher, head of the industrial and systems engineering department.

McAnally set to lead water resources association
William H. McAnally will become president of the Mississippi Water Resources Association at the end of its annual conference in Biloxi this week. He is a research professor of engineering in the Bagley College of Engineering and associate director of the Geosystems Research Institute at Mississippi State University. McAnally’s research efforts include ecosystem assessment and modeling, watershed and estuarine processes and waterborne transportation.