Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, Yokohama Tire Corporation president Hikomitsu Noji and Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum took part in formal announcement ceremonies April 29 in West Point for Yokohama’s new $300-million commercial truck tire plant that will begin operations in 2015. Bryant praised the active role of Keenum and MSU researchers in the long and delicate economic development courtship of the Japanese tire maker to locate in the Golden Triangle. PHOTO: Mississippi Development Authority

Bullman, Hamer win Doris Lee Memorial awards
Mississippi State University staff members LaDonna Bullman and Amber Hamer were honored recently with the Doris Lee Memorial Staff Awards in the College of Forest Resources and the Forest and Wildlife Research Center. Bullman is a contract and grants specialist for the Forest and Wildlife Research Center and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. Hamer is an administrative assistant in the Department of Forestry.

NACADA awards Cooper certificate of merit
The National Academic Advising Association has named Caroline Cooper a 2013 Certificate of Merit recipient. The Mississippi State University art department academic records assistant will be honored this fall at the organization's annual conference in Salt Lake City. She is being recognized for her achievements in the new advisor award category.

Graduations include two leading architects, Winter
Janet Marie Smith, a Mississippi State alumna and architect internationally recognized for her innovative baseball stadium designs, will be commencement speaker next month for both of the university's spring graduations. Also during the Friday and Saturday public programs in Humphrey Coliseum, MSU will bestow honorary doctoral degrees on, respectively, former governor William F. Winter and Madison architect Robert V.M. Harrison.

Policy addresses employee political activity
With political campaigning for local elections underway, Mississippi State's Office of General Counsel reminds employees to be aware of the university's policy on political activities. There are several basic guidelines that university employees should keep in mind when engaging in any form of political activity.

Volunteers needed for Bridges Out of Poverty event
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including Emerson's Fresh Start Program (community garden), tutoring at Sally Kate Winters, Bridges Out of Poverty fundraiser, and more.

Faculty leadership program seeks nominations
For the 2013-2014 academic year, the Office of Research and Economic Development and the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President will again be conducting an academic leadership program for selected faculty at Mississippi State. This program has been very successful in the past, and many of its participants serve in key leadership positions on campus today. For the upcoming year, attendance will be limited to approximately 12 individuals who will be chosen from those who apply.

Art faculty exhibition at Wade Gallery now open
A collection presented in a variety of mediums by members of the Mississippi State art department faculty will be featured on campus over the next two months. The May and June showcase at the university's Cullis Wade Depot Gallery will include samples of paintings, ceramics, sculptures, drawings, photography and printmaking. The gallery is located on the second floor of the MSU Welcome Center, located adjacent to the Barnes & Noble at Mississippi State Bookstore.

New employee assistance program 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 helps.

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, 05/06/13
Softball is on the road to Texas to play Houston on Monday at 6 p.m. Track and Field competes at the SEC Championships beginning Thursday. Baseball is on the road to Oxford to open an SEC weekend series against Ole Miss at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, along with games on Saturday at 4 p.m. and at 1 p.m. on Sunday (CSS-TV).

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Mississippi State researchers honored for work
More than 40 Mississippi State faculty, students and staff are 2013 selections for university research and leadership honors. Honorees, their guests and senior administrators were in attendance at a campus awards banquet last week. Before an audience of friends and colleagues gathered at the Palmeiro Center, plant and soil sciences department professor Daniel G. Peterson received the night's top honor -- the 2013 Ralph E. Powe Research Excellence Award.

Newman receives SEC Faculty Achievement Award
A Mississippi State aerospace engineering professor and researcher specializing in the structural safety of aircraft is among selections for a 2013 Southeastern Conference Faculty Achievement Award. At the university, James C. Newman Jr. holds the rank of Giles Distinguished Professor and the Richard H. Johnson Chair of Aerospace Engineering in the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering.

Bagley College celebrates academic year
Blue skies and barbeque helped the Bagley College wrap-up the academic year at the annual Faculty and Staff Appreciation Picnic. More than a hundred BCoE faculty and staff members gathered on MSU’s historic Drill Field April 26 to celebrate another successful year of engineering education and to honor those who earned awards from the college.

CALS recognizes outstanding teachers
During a recent awards ceremony, Mississippi State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences honored four faculty members as outstanding teachers, including Cory Gallo, Carolyn Huntington, Kalyn Coatney and Ron Williams.