Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Vice President for Campus Services Amy Tuck (right) presents Frances Coleman, dean of Mississippi State University Libraries, with the 2013 Coordinator's Award during the Women in Higher Education Mississippi Network spring leadership conference, which was held on campus last Thursday and Friday. WHEMN's mission is to identify, develop, advance and support women in higher education in the state. PHOTO: Beth Wynn | University Relations

Alumni Association hosting MSU birthday party
Legislation creating the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Mississippi -- now Mississippi State -- was signed Feb. 28, 1878. To commemorate the land-grant university's founding 135 years ago, a birthday party organized by the MSU Alumni Association will take place Thursday at 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Junction. The campus celebration is free and open to all. Complimentary hamburgers, chips, soft drinks, MSU ice cream and birthday cake will be served, while supplies last.

MSU Riley Center announces spring-summer series
It will be hummable. You will find yourself singing along. At times, it will tempt you to dance in your seat. Taking the stage in downtown Meridian, the MSU Riley Center’s spring/summer concert series is poised to delight ticketholders of all musical preferences when it kicks off April 12. “Every musical taste will find something to enjoy in this season’s offering,” said Dennis Sankovich, the center's executive director.

'Let's Get Cooking!' with Conrad coming up Monday
The Department of Health Education and Wellness and the Department of Human Resources Management at Mississippi State will host two cooking demonstration sessions on Monday, February 25 in Room 350 of the Student Health Center. Participants will learn how to prepare healthy and delicious meals on both time and financial budgets. Mandy Conrad, a registered dietitian and health and wellness educator with the Student Health Center, will demonstrate how to keep meals light on the waistline but heavy on the taste.

MVC: Check out alternative spring break
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including Volunteer Soccer Coach Program, Planting Trees for MSU's Future, Emerson's Community Garden, MSU Track and Field Volunteer Officials, and more.

Maroon Alert: Sharing emergency updates with MSU
During this time of the year, weather becomes more of a factor in our day-to-day lives at Mississippi State University. The Maroon Alert system is how we communicate with the campus community about emergency situations that may arise on campus. Maroon Alert is a family of communication outlets to communicate about emergency situations. In most situations the primary means of communication are web, e-mail and sometimes instant messaging.

Ragtime Festival returns for seventh year
World-renowned ragtime musicians again will deliver spectacular rhythms and outstanding showmanship during Mississippi State's seventh annual Charles Templeton Ragtime Jazz Festival. Taking place on the university campus March 22-23, the major spring event includes evening concerts in the McComas Hall Auditorium, along with daytime sessions and tours at the Templeton Music Museum in Mitchell Memorial Library.

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, 02/25/13
Baseball hosts Rhode Island at 4 p.m. on Tuesday and on Wednesday at 4 p.m., and then St. Joseph's on Friday at 6:30 p.m., a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at noon, and at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday... Women's Tennis hosts Samford at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Auburn at 3 p.m. on Friday and Alabama at 1 p.m. on Sunday... Men's Basketball is on the road to Lexington for a game against Kentucky on Wednesday at 7 p.m., and then hosts Ole Miss on Saturday at 4 p.m....Women's Basketball hosts Georgia at 7 p.m. on Thursday, and plays Auburn on the road at 2 p.m. on Sunday... Softball begins play in the D9 Citrus Classic in Kissimmee, Fla., against Hofstra on Friday... Men's Tennis travels to Auburn for a Friday match at 2 p.m. and to Alabama for a Sunday match at noon.

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 Extension hires new ag communications head
An experienced communications professional and administrator recently joined the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Elizabeth Gregory North became the department head for MSU’s Office of Agricultural Communications Feb 1. North received her bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and her master’s degree from the University of Rochester. She is a doctoral candidate at Texas A&M.

Peers name Novotny AAAS Fellow
Mark A. Novotny of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Mississippi State is among three faculty members who were recently honored as Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Based in Washington, D.C., the AAAS is the world's largest general scientific society. The organization publishes the prestigious journal Science, as well as Science Translational Medicine and Science Signaling.

Friday deadline for Spirit of State nominations
Applications and nominations are now being accepted for the eighth-annual Spirit of State awards. With these awards, Mississippi State will recognize outstanding contributions made by our students toward improving student life. These premier awards are open to all Mississippi State students from all campuses and recognize excellence in campus involvement, service to the university community, actions that promote the Spirit of State, and overall impact on peers and the broader campus community. Nominations must be submitted by Friday.

Nominations wanted for Powe and Research Awards
The nomination period is open for Mississippi State University's 2013 Research Awards and the Ralph E. Powe Research Excellence Award. Employees and students are encouraged to submit nominations for this year's program. Research Awards recognize individuals who contribute significantly to the university's mission of research, as well as honor and reward students, faculty and staff for their accomplishments in research and creative endeavors. The awards also raise awareness of research programs and capabilities on campus.