Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Following Mississippi State's football win over Arkansas Nov. 17, the College of Arts and Sciences' potluck tailgate celebrations were expanded to include hosting the wedding of two MSU professors who met four years prior at the same tailgate location. Members of the MSU community, family and friends all gathered in the tailgate spirit to watch the nuptials of assistant professor of philosophy Robert Thompson and department head of curriculum, instruction and special education Devon Brenner. The two were wed by fellow Arts and Sciences professor and pastor Bert Montgomery. PHOTO: Megan Bean | University Relations

Forums on tobacco-free campus this week
Two open forums will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m., and again Thursday at 2 p.m., in the Colvard Student Union, Foster Ballroom Salon U, to provide information and receive input on Mississippi State's progress toward becoming a tobacco-free campus.

Manage stress during the holidays
In recognition of the intense stress often accompanying the holidays, two Mississippi State University groups -- the President's Commission on the Status of Women and the President's Commission on the Status of Minorities -- sponsored a stress management seminar before the holiday season kicks off in earnest at Thanksgiving. The recent "Food For Thought" luncheon featured Beth Frick, director of education for North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, who defined stress and talked about practical approaches to dealing with it.

Mississippi State Chem Lab awarded GoMRI grant
The Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory is receiving funding to support an enhanced multi-state research program examining effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico. State Chemist Kevin Armbrust, principal investigator on the project, said the overall goals are to improve the knowledge base of dispersant behavior in the coastal marine environment and to increase understanding of the processes controlled dispersant fate and biological exposure.

Missions yield 'natural partnership' for MSU, KITECH
Mississippi State University is officially partnering with a South Korean entity which has a complementary research mission with the university's Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems. MSU Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Gilbert signed a Memorandum of Understanding, along with Korea Institute of Industrial Technology Incheon Region Division Chief Executive Officer Sang-Mok Lee Nov. 16.

MVC: Gifts needed for Palmer Home Giving Tree
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including Emerson's holiday festival, the Palmer Home Giving Tree, holiday toy drive, Salvation Army, Bulldogs on the Move, and much more.

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.

Davis Wade commemorative brick program begins
The Mississippi State Bulldog Club has announced the launch of the Davis Wade Stadium Commemorative Brick Program for the north end zone expansion of Davis Wade Stadium. The bricks are available online or by phone and can be ordered in two sizes -- 4'"x 8" and 8" x 8". A 12" x 12" granite paver is also available. Bricks and pavers can be personalized and several options include a replica keepsake.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 11/26/12
Men's Basketball hosts Alcorn State at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, and then travels to Rhode Island to play Providence at 11 a.m. on Saturday (ESPNU)... Women's Basketball hosts Savannah State on Wednesday at 7 p.m., and is then on the road to Hattiesburg for a Sunday game against Southern Miss at 4 p.m.

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Claggett selected for annual humanities honor
Shalyn Claggett, associate professor of English, has been named Mississippi State University's 2012 Humanities Teacher of the Year by the College of Arts & Sciences and Mississippi Humanities Council. Claggett will offer a public lecture on her humanities-based research this Monday at 3 p.m. in the forum room on the fourth floor of Shackouls Honors College's Griffis Residence Hall: "The Animal in the Machine: Projecting and Policing Pleasure in Victorian Magic Lantern Shows."

Ridner wins top Pa. historical association honor
The Pennsylvania Historical Association is recognizing a Mississippi State historian for her examination of "a small community crucially located at the crossroads of the urban centers of the eastern seaboard and the western frontier." Associate professor Judith A. Ridner recently accepted the organization's 2012 Philip S. Klein Book Prize for "A Town In-Between: Carlisle, Pennsylvania and the Early Mid-Atlantic Interior" (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2010).

Family life specialist Kirkland joins Extension
The state's families have a new ally in the Mississippi State University Extension Service with the appointment of a family life specialist. Cassandra Kirkland brings research, practical experience and passion to her new position in the School of Human Sciences. "I believe in making research accessible so that it can make a difference in the lives of children and families," Kirkland said.

Habitat home helps family realize inner strengths
Owning a home is the first step toward real security, a step the Walton family has taken in becoming the newest recipients of a Habitat for Humanity house. The fourth Mississippi State University Maroon Edition project and the 50th local Habitat house is benefiting Daphne Walton and her five children. A Tuesday, Nov. 20 ceremony dedicated the 276 Steadman Lane residence. MSU President Mark E. Keenum spoke during the ceremony, welcoming the Walton family to the new residence.