Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Gov. Phil Bryant and MSU President Mark E. Keenum take a moment to visit prior to Bryant's keynote remarks during last week's manufacturing summit at the Franklin Furniture Institute. The governor emphasized the importance of education and workforce development to the state's manufacturing industries before an audience of more than 100 state and federal stakeholders. PHOTO: Russ Houston | University Relations

CVM hosts annual open house this week
The Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine invites visitors of all ages to attend its 28th-annual open house this Friday and Saturday. This year’s theme is "Animals in Focus." One of the program's primary goals is to share the world of veterinary medicine by offering fun, educational learning experiences about animal health and behavior.

Chemistry department golf fundraiser Saturday
Mississippi State's chemistry department is announcing its second golf tournament scholarship fundraiser. To be held Saturday at the University Golf Course, the public event is a four-person scramble, limited to 25 teams or a total of 100 golfers. Proceeds will support a series of one-year undergraduate scholarships.

University hosting PERS seminar next week
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.

Nominations wanted for distinguished staff awards
MSU Staff Council needs your help in nominating outstanding Mississippi State University employees for the Zacharias Distinguished Staff awards. Twelve winners will be presented with a plaque of recognition and a check for $1,000. Awards will be announced at the annual Staff Appreciation Day on May 17 in the Junction. The nomination deadline is April 11.

MVC: Volunteer for the International Fiesta
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including Up Til Dawn, International Fiesta 2013, Cotton District Arts Festival, Golden Triangle Walk for MS, and more.

Refresh Leadership Live 2013 simulcast April 17
Human Resources Management at Mississippi State University, in conjunction with Express Employment Professionals of Starkville, will host a simulcast of Refresh Leadership Live 2013 on Wednesday, April 17 in Colvard Student Union's Fowlkes Auditorium. The half-day session starts at 8 a.m.

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.

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, 04/01/13
Men's Golf opens play in the BancorpSouth Reunion Intercollegiate in Madison on Monday... Softball hosts Jackson State at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, plays UAB in Ridgeland at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, and then travels to Gainesville for an SEC weekend series against Florida beginning on Friday at 5 p.m.... Women's Golf opens play in the M&F Bank Rebel Intercollegiate in Oxford on Friday... Men's Tennis hosts South Carolina at 2 p.m. on Friday and plays Florida at Gainesville at noon on Sunday... Women's Tennis is on the road to Columbia for a match against South Carolina at 4 p.m. on Friday and faces Florida in Gainesville on Sunday at 9 a.m.... Baseball is on the road Tuesday for a 6:30 p.m. game against South Alabama, and then hosts Florida in an SEC weekend series beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

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.

Staff development program selects 14
Fourteen Mississippi State staff members have been chosen for the 2013 Learning Experience for Aspiring Professionals (LEAP) program. Meeting together for the first time in mid-March, Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Gilbert welcomed this year's class to LEAP and provided them with an overview of its goals and expectations. Over the next nine months, participants will meet with campus and community experts to discuss, explore and understand the goals and priorities of the land-grant institution.

New employee assistance program now available
Life is filled with change, opportunities and challenges. The issues may be large or small. Knowing that you have someone who can listen, understand and suggest next steps can make a big difference. And that is where Mississippi State University's new employee assistance program (EAP) and work-life program will help, beginning April 1.

Innovation, entrepreneurship celebrated this week
The economic impact of innovation will be in focus April 1-5 during Entrepreneurship Week and the Investing in Innovation conference at Mississippi State. The land-grant university's Office of Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer also is sponsoring its second I3 Day on the 5th in Colvard Student Union's Foster Ballroom. "We believe I3 Day is a fitting exclamation mark to five days of showcasing the remarkable and innovative students, faculty and staff we have on our campus," said OETT director Gerald Nelson.

International Fiesta Day set for Saturday
MSU World Neighbors Association will host International Fiesta Day on Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., on the Drill Field. International Fiesta Day celebrates diverse cultures through authentic music, dance, food and games. There will be a "Parade of Flags" and Mr. and Miss International Fiesta will be crowned. The event is one of several being held during MSU's Unity Week sponsored by the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center.