Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum greets local firefighters during a Christmas luncheon provided for the Starkville Fire Department in appreciation of their commitment and hard work throughout the year. Other leaders, including Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman, served alongside Keenum during the annual event. PHOTO: Megan Bean | University Relations

Bagley hosts distance ed reception at Stennis
Mississippi State University's Bagley College of Engineering hosted a special event on the Coast last week at Stennis Space Center. Lori Bruce, associate dean for research and graduate studies, and Rita Burrell, manager for graduate and distance education, welcomed MSU alumni, current distance education students and Stennis personnel interested in Bagley's distance ed programs to a reception in the lobby of the MSU Science and Technology Center.

Nomination call for Jefferson Science Fellows
The MSU International Institute announces that The National Academies has a call for nominations and applications for the 2013 Jefferson Science Fellows program. Initiated by the Secretary of State in 2003, this fellowship program engages the American academic science, technology, engineering and medical communities in the design and implementation of U.S. foreign policy. The fellowship is open to tenured, or similarly ranked, academic scientists, engineers and physicians from U.S. institutions of higher learning.

Governor to address fall grads on Saturday
Fall semester graduates at Mississippi State University will hear from the state's chief executive during commencement ceremonies this Saturday. Gov. Phil Bryant will speak during the 10 a.m. graduation program in Humphrey Coliseum. Nearly 1,400 students are scheduled to receive degrees. Those choosing to participate in the ceremony will include a number from the summer term, for which there is no separate graduation event.

MSU, Loyola commemorating historic game
For the first time since the historic night of March 15, 1963, Mississippi State University and Loyola University Chicago will meet again on the hardwood in basketball competition. The Bulldogs and Ramblers are scheduled to meet Saturday at Joseph J. Gentile Arena in Chicago, Ill., to commemorate the NCAA Basketball Tournament game played 50 years ago at Jenison Field House in East Lansing, Mich. The MSU Alumni Association, along with the Bulldog Club and the office of MSU President Mark E. Keenum, is planning a social for Bulldog alumni in the Chicago area prior to the game.

MVC: Donations needed for the Giving Tree
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including the Palmer Home Giving Tree, Habitat for Humanity, Emerson Christmas Extravaganza, Salvation Army holiday volunteers, and 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 bricks available
The Mississippi State Bulldog Club has launched 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, 12/10/12
Men's Basketball travels to Chicago to play Loyola University Chicago on Saturday at 7 p.m.... Women's Basketball hosts Florida A&M at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

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New horizons ahead for Wax
As with the seasons he has monitored and recorded for so long, veteran Mississippi State professor Charles L. Wax quietly is changing to the next phase in his life: retirement. At the end of the month, the Leflore County native and 1965 Greenwood High School graduate concludes a 35-year career at the university, as well as nearly 30 concurrent years of service as state climatologist. In that latter role, he officially has monitored Magnolia State climatic events and impacts, while leading innumerable public programs on those and related topics.

Dickerson returns to campus as registrar
A former student recruiting leader at Mississippi State is coming back to his alma mater as the university's new registrar. John R. Dickerson, currently vice president of Copiah-Lincoln Community College's Simpson County Center, will begin his new MSU duties Jan. 16. Dickerson succeeds Butch Stokes, who retired earlier this year after working in the registrar's office since 1995 and leading it since 2002.

Catchot gains national recognition
A Mississippi State University professor recently won an award from the Entomological Society of America for his professional service to agricultural producers in the Southeast. Angus Catchot, an Extension Service agronomic crops entomologist, was named the 2013 recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award in Extension. Catchot was nominated by the society’s South Eastern Branch because of his noteworthy program creativity, impact, achievement and delivery of services.

DelPrince pens textbook about 'interiorscaping'
Plants can increase a person’s productivity, and a Mississippi State University floral design expert is smiling about his new textbook on using plants in interior spaces. Jim DelPrince, a professor in MSU’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, spent five years developing a textbook on “interiorscaping” -- using green and flowering plants and trees in indoor commercial and residential spaces.