Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Daffodils brighten the campus landscape in anticipation of warm weather and Spring Break, which is underway this week. Beth Newman Wynn | University Relations

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.

Get involved, give back with the MVC
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, K-12 Volunteer Tutors, Historic StarkVegas 10K/5K, and more.

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.

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.

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.

'Today.Tomorrow.Forever' generates over $40 million
Mississippi State Athletics has received private gifts and pledges to the "Today.Tomorrow.Forever" athletic facilities initiative of more than $40 million since January 2011, the Bulldog Club announced March 6. The initiative solicits major gift donations -- which are separate from priority seating obligations -- to construct, renovate and expand Mississippi State's athletic facilities.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 03/11/13
Men's Golf opens play in the Tiger Shootout at Opelika, Ala., on Monday, and then the Seminole Intercollegiate on Friday at Tallahassee... Softball is on the road to Jacksonville State on Tuesday, and then travels to Charleston for games against College of Charleston and Charleston Southern beginning Thursday... Baseball plays Southern Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., and then hosts LSU in a weekend series beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m.... Men's Basketball begins play in the SEC tournament on Wednesday in Nashville... Women's Tennis is on the road to Murfreesboro for a match against Middle Tennessee State on Tuesday, and then goes to Vanderbilt on Friday and Kentucky on Sunday... Women's Golf begins play in the SunTrust Gator Invitational at Gainesville on Friday... Men's Tennis hosts Vanderbilt at 2 p.m. on Friday and then Kentucky on Sunday at 1 p.m.

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.

University family celebrates Zacharias' life
Hundreds of Mississippi State faculty, staff, alumni, students and friends attended a memorial service last Thursday for the university's President Emeritus Donald Zacharias, who died March 3 after an extended illness and complications from multiple sclerosis. The service was a celebration of not only his legacy of accomplishments, but also of his revered character, one described as humble and loving, but effective and willing to fight for causes he thought were important.

Demarais honored for wildlife conservation
A Mississippi State University professor has been named Wildlife Conservationist of the Year by the Mississippi Wildlife Federation. Steve Demarais, professor of wildlife ecology and management in MSU’s Forestry and Wildlife Research Center, received the honor at the federation’s Feb. 16 meeting. Demarais’ love of hunting and fishing led him to pursue an education and career in wildlife ecology, and today he strives to share his passion, knowledge and experience with his own students.

Callander's work in Tennessee exhibition
Neil Callander, assistant professor in the Department of Art at Mississippi State, exhibited recently in the 28th Annual Positive/Negative National Juried Art Exhibition, Minority Rule. The exhibition, which ended March 8, was held in the Slocumb Galleries of East Tennessee State University. He is the foundation program coordinator in the department and teaches drawing and design courses.

Community service again in national spotlight
Mississippi State continues to be recognized nationally for community service activities -- this time as one of only 14 in a major category. The university is a Presidential Award Finalist in the 2013 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll program. Meggan Franks said specific projects highlighted for MSU's 2013 application included the Day One Leadership Community, Campus-Community Emergency Response Team, Mississippi Delta Alternative Break, Early Childhood Institute, Summer Engineering Academies and Learning Programs, and leaderSTATE: Summer Residential Leadership and STEM Program.