Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Researchers from Cardiff University in Wales visited Mississippi State last week to build upon an existing partnership agreement between the two institutions. On Feb. 28, senior lecturer Mike Jones (left to right), post-graduate researcher Ceri Morris and professor Tim O’Doherty met with Roger King (left), director of MSU’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, and Ray Vaughn (right), associate vice president for research. The agreement, signed in 2006, partnered the Bagley College of Engineering and the Cardiff School of Engineering in order to enhance educational, academic, research activities and funding opportunities. PHOTO: Megan Bean | University Relations

Zhang named to national research board task force
A Bagley College of Engineering faculty member has been appointed to a national task force for emergency preparedness. Li Zhang, an associate professor in civil engineering, will serve a nearly three-year term on the task force for emergency evacuations of the Transportation Research Board, a division of the National Research Council. The 26-member task force focuses on preparing for emergency evacuations from natural or man-made hazards.

WHEMN celebrates leadership in higher ed
About 200 women gathered to discuss the qualities that make great leaders during the 2013 Women in Higher Education Mississippi Network Spring Leadership Conference held at Mississippi State University late last month. "Our goal is to provide the opportunity to network, to share ideas and to learn from some of our finest leaders," said WHEMN coordinator Amy Tuck, vice president for campus services at MSU.

Kenyan ambassador on campus Monday
Kenya's ambassador to the United States returns Monday to Mississippi State to help honor Wangari Maathai, author of "Unbowed," the university's 2012-13 freshman reading program selection. Elkanah Odembo, who first came to campus for a fall semester address, will join in a tree planting that celebrates the life and work of the late Nobel Peace Prize winner and African environmentalist. Joining Ambassador Odembo in making remarks will be MSU President Mark E. Keenum and Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Gilbert.

MVC: ASB info, MLP book drive, Semester of Service
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, Bulldogs on the Move, Mississippi Delta Alternative Spring Break, Historic StarkVegas 10K/5K, and more.

'Biloxi Blues' takes Riley stage Thursday
Prolific and renowned playwright Neil Simon puts a lot of himself and his experiences into his plays, but the three works known as his “Eugene trilogy” most likely tell the most about Simon’s own life. In the middle of the trifecta is “Biloxi Blues,” which drops Eugene Morris Jerome into Biloxi, Miss., for his basic training. On Thursday at 7:30 p.m., the Montana Repertory Theatre performs its rendition of “Biloxi Blues” at the MSU Riley Center in Meridian.

University hosting PERS seminar in April
Human Resources Management at Mississippi State University is hosting a PERS pre-retirement, full-day seminar on April 10 at Bost Extension Center. This seminar offers general information on a range of topics including estate planning, Mississippi Deferred Compensation Plan and Trust, Social Security benefits, and PERS benefits and options. Early registration is encouraged.

Stennis Institute assists schools
Education is the key to economic development. Industries need problem-solvers: educated, trainable workers who can go above and beyond classroom instruction. Strategic planner Phil Hardwick has seen it time and again in his work as a project manager with Mississippi State University's John C. Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development. Over the past three years, he's worked with 13 Northeast Mississippi schools to increase the numbers of students admitted to college.

Ragtime Festival returns March 22-23
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, 03/04/13
Baseball hosts Mississippi Valley State at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday and opens a weekend series with Central Arkansas on Friday at 6:30 p.m.... Softball hosts Memphis at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday and then LSU in a weekend series beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday... Men's Basketball plays South Carolina in Columbia at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, and then hosts Auburn on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.... Men's Tennis hosts Tennessee at 2 p.m. on Friday and Georgia on Sunday at 1 p.m.... Women's Tennis is on the road to Knoxville for a match against Tennessee on Friday at 4 p.m., and then plays Georgia in Athens on Sunday at noon... Track and Field begins competition at the NCAA Indoor Championship in Fayetteville, Ark., on Thursday. Women's Golf begins play in the JMU/Eagle Landing Invitational at Jacksonville, Fla., on Friday.

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Zacharias remembered as visionary leader
Donald W. Zacharias, the president emeritus of Mississippi State University who served from 1985-1997, died Sunday, March 3 at the age of 77 of complications from multiple sclerosis after an extended illness. Zacharias brought Mississippi State to a new level of prominence during his 12 and one-half years of service. Enrollment, private contributions, research and athletic achievement all grew significantly as part of Zacharias' legacy; one unmatched in the history of the university and one that the current MSU leader says will definitely stand the test of time.

Akers, Darling, McDavid in Leadership Mississippi
Some people never stop looking for opportunities to advance their goals, especially those recruited for leadership classes. Ryan Akers and Chance McDavid are two representatives of the Mississippi State University Extension Service who are taking part in the Leadership Mississippi program. Lynn Darling, director of the MSU Early Childhood Institute, is also in the 2013 class. After one meeting, they have set their sights on expanding their professional agendas across the state.

Meyers named regional sweet potato specialist
A new sweet potato specialist has joined forces with Mississippi growers as they produce and promote one of the state’s favorite vegetable crops. Stephen Meyers, a native of northern Indiana, is working with growers whose fields are largely centered in or around Calhoun and Chickasaw counties. “Some of our growers’ biggest challenges are weed control, nematodes and disease pressure,” he said. “We are always looking for ways to help with all these issues.”

McLaughlin elected president of national org
A department head with the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine was selected to fill a national role with the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians. The AAVC has elected Dr. Ron McLaughlin, head of the college’s Department of Clinical Sciences, to serve as president. In this role, McLaughlin works with the organization to enhance the quality of veterinary instruction in the United States.