Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Beth Wynn, photographer for the MSU Office of University Relations, uses special studio lighting to shoot a group of cowbells for an upcoming issue of Alumnus magazine. The most unique, and certainly the most resounding symbol of MSU tradition, the precise origin of the cowbell as a university sports fixture remains unclear to this day. PHOTO: Russ Houston | University Relations

U.S. Poet Laureate visits campus Tuesday
Gulfport native, Pulitzer Prize winner and current U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey will visit Mississippi State this Tuesday. Trethewey will read from her works and offer commentary during a free program to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Colvard Union's Bill R. Foster Ballroom. A question-and-answer session will follow. While open to all, the university program will require an admission entry ticket. One complimentary ticket per person is available in the Union's Center for Student Activities.

University hosting PERS seminar Wednesday
Human Resources Management at Mississippi State is hosting a PERS pre-retirement, full-day seminar this Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bost Extension Center. The seminar offers general information on a range of topics, including estate planning, the Mississippi Deferred Compensation Plan and Trust, Social Security benefits, and PERS benefits and options.

Service learning center hosting open house
The Center for the Advancement of Service Learning Excellence at Mississippi State University will hold a three-day open house this week. All MSU faculty, staff, and Extension personnel are invited to visit the come-and-go event and learn more about CASLE and its role in connecting faculty, Extension, and community partners in creating service-learning experiences. CASLE can also assist with publication and grant opportunities.

Don't miss the MSU Volunteer Fair on Wednesday
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including Volunteer Fair, Boys and Girls Club, Humane Society, Mississippi Migrant Education Program, and more.

Library exhibit honors cowbell tradition
Mitchell Memorial Library's latest exhibit pays homage to the cowbell, one of Mississippi State University's most beloved traditions. Items on display include double ringers from the University Archives collection, personal cowbells from the library's faculty and staff, and a sample of the cowbell collection of Sid Salter, director of University Relations at Mississippi State. The exhibit will run through October.

Cross-college, interdisciplinary proposals sought
The Office of Research and Economic Development is again soliciting proposals from Mississippi State faculty who desire to create interdisciplinary, cross-college research groups on campus. These grants will be in the amount of $2,000 each and limited to a period of 12 months (renewable one time for a total of 24 months and $4,000). The grants are intended to facilitate interdisciplinary interaction between faculty and students that have a common research theme.

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.

Submit campus gameday activities
MSU Athletics and Information Technology Services, in conjunction with the MSU Alumni Association, have again partnered for the Gameday website at www.hailstate.com/gameday. It is designed to be a one-stop site that lists all activities, including operating hours for major units such as Barnes & Noble Bookstore and Dining Services, along with contacts and other key information.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 09/23/13
Volleyball hosts Florida at 7 p.m. on Friday and Arkansas on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.... Soccer is on the road to College Station for a Friday match against Texas A&M, and visits Baton Rouge on Sunday for a 1 p.m. match with LSU... Cross Country visits North Carolina for the Charlotte Invitational on Saturday... Men's Tennis opens play at the ITA All-American Championships on Saturday in Tulsa, Okla.... Women's Tennis begins competition at the ITA Riviera All-American Championships at Pacific Palisades, Calif., on Saturday... Women's Golf opens play in the Jack Nicklaus Invitational at Columbus, Ohio, on Sunday.

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Brown named new lab director, state chemist
An accomplished Mississippi State researcher and administrator for the Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory is taking the helm of that state agency housed on the land-grant institution's campus. Ashli Brown has been named State Chemist and director of the MSCL, effective Oct. 1 and pending formal approval by the Mississippi Senate. Previously, she served as the MSCL's director of research and agriculture forensics.

Johnson to lead Delta Research & Extension Center
Mississippi State University’s largest agricultural research center will get a new leader Nov. 16. Jeff Johnson, whose research interests include water policy, farm management and natural resources management, will be the head of the Delta Research and Extension Center. Johnson’s background positions him to address the unique needs of Mississippi’s Delta region.

AAHRPP accredits Mississippi State research
Mississippi State is the first university in the state to attain a highly-sought endorsement from the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs. "This accreditation is very important to our research enterprise because it ensures funding agencies and sponsors of our commitment to the protection of human subjects and building public trust," said David Shaw, MSU's vice president for research and economic development.

SEC visiting faculty travel grant applications wanted
The Southeastern Conference Visiting Faculty Travel Grant Program is intended to enhance faculty collaboration that stimulates scholarly initiatives between SEC universities. Mississippi State University can select a maximum of four faculty members to receive 2014 travel grants of $2,500 each for transportation, room, board, etc., to use for travel to another SEC campus. Completed applications must be submitted by Oct. 11.