Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

MSU President Mark E. Keenum spoke to students in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences' senior seminar class earlier this month. His lecture on "Global Food Sustainability" aligned with topics the students have studied this semester, such as sustainable animal agriculture. Keenum discussed vital issues related to sustainable agriculture on the global scale, such as research and education, food safety and security, natural resources, agricultural economics and policy. PHOTO: Beth Wynn | Public Affairs

Martin named assistant AD for media relations
Bill Martin, a communications veteran within Southeastern Conference football, has been named Mississippi State's assistant athletic director for media relations. Martin comes to Mississippi State from LSU, where he most recently served as an associate sports information director. He began his career with the Tiger athletic department in August 2001 as a student intern within the sports information office.

CFR and FWRC honor Davidson, Williams
Mississippi State University staff members Kay Davidson and Karen Williams were honored recently with the Doris Lee Memorial Staff Awards in the College of Forest Resources and the Forest and Wildlife Research Center. Both work in the Department of Forest Products, where Williams is a business manager and Davidson is an administrative assistant.

Staff Appreciation Days at Barnes & Noble Dec. 2-3
Staff Appreciation Days at the Barnes & Noble at Mississippi State University will be held Dec. 2-3. During the two-day special event, employees with a valid MSU faculty and staff ID at time of purchase will receive a 20 percent discount on qualifying merchandise at the campus bookstore.

University formally reopens historic 'Bull Ring'
Mississippi State brought back a piece of university history Nov. 16 with the re-dedication of a restored campus landmark dating back to the 1930s. Approximately 150 gathered around "The Bull Ring," a D-shaped concrete seating area located in front of the Colvard Student Union near two major campus thoroughfares. In his remarks, MSU President Mark E. Keenum thanked the Class of 2012 that had initiated the project for "stepping forward to bring back the tradition."

Starkville-MSU Symphony Christmas concert Dec. 3
The Starkville-Mississippi State University Symphony Orchestra will perform music of the season during a Dec. 3 concert at the city's First Baptist Church. Assistant professor Gary Packwood, MSU's choral activities director, will lead the orchestra and the State Singers. Anthony B. Kirkland and Jessica Banks will perform popular arrangements, while Jeanette Fontaine, Linda Glover, Peter Infanger, Tara Warfield and Adam West will lend vocal and instrumental stylings.

Irish Tenors' 'Christmas' coming to campus
To help usher in the holiday season at Mississippi State and the Golden Triangle area, the university's Lyceum Series is featuring The Irish Tenors in concert. Taking place Dec. 4 in Lee Hall's Bettersworth Auditorium, the three-man group's performance -- the last of the series' 2013 fall schedule -- will begin at 7:30 p.m. As part of a current Christmas tour, tenors Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns and Ronan Tynan will be presenting classics from "We Three Kings," their popular Christmas album.

Applications sought for teaching excellence awards
Mississippi State University faculty who are interested in submitting applications for the 2014 Grisham Master Teacher Award, the Alumni Association Early Career Teaching Excellence Award or the Alumni Association Graduate Teaching Excellence Award have until Dec. 2 to do so. After careful review, the University Instructional Improvement Committee will select and announce the winners before the end of the spring 2014 semester.

Give thanks and volunteer
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including the holiday gift guide for nonprofits, basketball concession stands, and much more.

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, 11/25/13
Women's Basketball hosts Savannah State at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, and then travels to Naples, Fla., for the Gulf Coast Showcase beginning Friday with a 5 p.m. tipoff against Grand Canyon University... Men's Basketball hosts Jackson State at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, and then Loyola-Chicago visits Humphrey Coliseum for a Sunday game that tips off at noon... Volleyball hosts Alabama on Wednesday at 7 p.m., and then travels to Knoxville to play Tennessee on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.... Football hosts Ole Miss at Davis Wade Stadium for the 2013 Egg Bowl on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Wear maroon. (ESPN).

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MDOT honors Human Resources Management team
Members of Mississippi State University’s Human Resources Management team were invited to present at the 37th-annual Mississippi Public Transit Association meeting Nov. 13-15 in Natchez. The MSU HRM team was also recognized at the awards banquet. Senior Human Resources Generalist Stephen Green received an award for Outstanding Designated Employee Representative. Chief Human Resources Officer Judy Spencer received an award for Outstanding Merit.

Lee, Spurlock to lead 'Maroon & White QEP
Together, a library professor and an English instructor will direct “Maroon & Write,” the writing-to-learn quality enhancement plan at Mississippi State. Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Gilbert recently announced Deborah Lee and Ann Spurlock began their QEP co-director duties on Nov. 1. The QEP is a university-wide plan to enhance undergraduate learning, and the writing-to-learn approach was developed with input from students, faculty, staff, administrators and the community.

Murphy joins MSU Foundation fundraising team
Dees Murphy is the new assistant director of development for both the Mississippi State University Extension Service and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In her new role, the 2009 MSU communication graduate works with veteran fundraiser and fellow alumnus Jud Skelton, the college's director of development, on fundraising and alumni activities for the large -- and one of the oldest -- campus academic units. Her responsibilities also extend to the Extension Service, whose presence extends to all of the state's 82 counties.

Donohoe, Reese receive BCoE endowed positions
Two electrical and computer engineering professors have earned endowed positions within the Bagley College of Engineering. Patrick Donohoe has been named the Paul B. Jacob Chair, and Robert “Bob” Reese has been awarded the Robert D. Guyton Chair for Teaching Excellence. Mississippi State’s third largest college, by enrollment, Bagley has 31 endowed chairs and professorships.