Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

MSU President Mark E. Keenum presents a cowbell to President Lusheng Huang of Jiangxi Agricultural University in Nanchang, China. Huang, who also is a specialist in swine genetics, visited the university last week at the invitation of his friend and Jiangxi University graduate, Henry Wan, who is a faculty member with MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine. Along with Keenum, welcoming Huang to the university were Jerry Gilbert, provost and executive vice president; Gregory Bohach, vice president of agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine; and Kent Hoblet, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, among other university leaders who expressed interest in learning more about possible shared interests. PHOTO: Beth Wynn | University Relations

Hargrove: Five Fulbrights and 50 years later
Maroon MEMO offers the second installment in a series of short articles by Mississippi State University faculty and administrators about their experiences with the Fulbright Scholar Program. Nancy Hargrove, William L. Giles Distinguished Professor Emerita of English, continues the series with a story about her time in France, Belgium, Sweden and Austria.

SPA offers proposal development assistance
Sponsored Programs Administration and the Office of Research and Economic Development at Mississippi State University are committed to helping faculty find the resources needed to support research endeavors. Recognizing that not all faculty members have departmental support for proposal development, SPA is working to provide this support as needed.

Researchers study role of platelets in canine cancer
A group of veterinarians at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is working to better understand cancer in dogs, work that will likely also advance knowledge of human cancer. “The answers may be in blood platelets. We have a lot to gain by looking at platelets and how they influence cancer and healing,” said Dr. Camillo Bulla, assistant professor in the college’s Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine.

Volunteers needed at Starkville Community Market
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including Starkville Community Market, T.K. Martin Center preschool classes, Columbus Boys and Girls Club, Service DAWGS Day, and more.

Art faculty exhibition open through the month
A collection presented in a variety of mediums by members of the Mississippi State art department faculty will be featured on campus through the month of June. The 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.

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.

Outstanding faculty honored with annual awards
Faculty in the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, and Agriculture and Life Sciences, as well as a member of the campus advising center staff, are 2013 selections for Mississippi State's annual faculty awards. The annual spring university-wide awards program is sponsored by the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President and the MSU Alumni Association.

Little receives national advising award
A well-respected and popular professor in Mississippi State University's Department of Agricultural Economics has received a national award for his excellence in student advising. Randy Little is a professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who has formally guided the career paths of more than 300 undergraduate students since he began at MSU in 1990. He has informally advised more than 1,000 students during that time as students value his wisdom and seek his guidance.

Associate VP finalists' forums continue
After a nationwide search, the Office of Research and Economic Development at Mississippi State University will host three finalists for the position of associate vice president for research in June. During their visits to Starkville, each candidate will deliver a public presentation. Interested members of the campus community are invited to attend these sessions.

'Writing-to-learn' institute for faculty underway
School may be out for summer, but not for a select group of educators at Mississippi State. The university's Maroon Institute for Writing Excellence started June 6 in Griffis Residence Hall. The month-long experience will help faculty representing a range of academic disciplines learn how to better employ a writing-to-learn approach in their courses, with the goal of increasing student learning and retention as part of the university's quality enhancement plan or QEP.