Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Marty Wiseman, right, received a surprise visit from former Mississippi Gov. William Winter during a retirement reception last month honoring the longtime director of MSU's Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development. PHOTO: Russ Houston | Public Affairs

Mississippi Horse Park earns award from racers
To find out how important packed dirt is on a rodeo floor, just ask a barrel racer whose horse has just fallen in a timed event. Riders recently named the Mississippi Horse Park at Mississippi State University as a “best footing” arena for barrel racing in the Southeastern circuit. “For the Mississippi Horse Park staff, it has always been important to be the very best we could be,” said Bricklee Miller, director of the MSU facility.

Interim session hours at Mitchell Memorial Library
As the fall semester nears a close at Mississippi State University, Mitchell Memorial Library announces special hours of operation for interim session. This week, the library will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

New name for Department of Forest Products
A Mississippi State University department has been renamed to reflect the renewable, natural and sustainable resources used in the industry. The MSU Department of Forest Products is now the Department of Sustainable Bioproducts. Department head Rubin Shmulsky said that over the last few decades, the profession has grown and evolved to include both wood and other bioproducts, including agricultural residues, natural fibers and adhesives.

MSU-based Grant Association honored
The Ulysses S. Grant Association is the winner of an annual national award recognizing achievements in promoting scholarship on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. The association has been located at Mississippi State since 2008, when the university's Mitchell Memorial Library was selected to become the repository of correspondence, photographs, books, memorabilia and other documents related to the military career and presidency of Grant.

Traffic alert: Campus construction closes roads
On Dec. 20, portions of Barr Avenue and George Perry Street were closed for construction activities related to the new classroom building project at Mississippi State University. The closure on Barr Avenue extends from the intersection with George Perry Street to the entrance of the Critz Hall parking lot. On George Perry Street, the closure extends from the intersection with Barr Avenue to the entrance of the YMCA-Post Office loading dock.

Kick off a new year and volunteer!
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including MLK Day of Service, Boys and Girls Club tutoring, Girl Scouting in the School Day, service day at the Refuge, and 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, 01/06/14
Men's Basketball travels to Lexington for a 7 p.m. tipoff with Kentucky on Wednesday (SEC-TV), and then hosts Ole Miss on Saturday at 3 p.m. (ESPNU)... Women's Basketball is on the road to Fayetteville to play Arkansas at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

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LEAP program announces 2013 graduates
Thirteen Mississippi State staff members are new graduates of the university's Learning Experience for Aspiring Professionals program. Originally known as the Staff Leadership Program, LEAP is designed to enhance professional skills by providing advanced training and direct, practical work applications for employees identified through a competitive nomination and selection process.

McCurdy joins MSU as state turf specialist
The Mississippi State University Extension Service and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station welcome a new state turf specialist on Jan. 1. Jay McCurdy is a native of Dyer, Tenn. He worked on his family’s farm, where they raised row crops, cattle and sod. He worked as a golf course superintendent in Hong Kong, China, where he performed research and designed and implemented turf grass evaluation and management techniques.

Bratton hired as softball assistant coach
The Mississippi State softball program used a familiar face in Starkville to fill its assistant coach void with the hiring of Tyler Bratton, according to an announcement from head coach Vann Stuedeman. Bratton, who will work with infielders and offense, and have game management and recruiting responsibilities, is a 2007 Mississippi State graduate and spent the last five years working with the Bulldog baseball program as its coordinator of baseball operations.

College of Forest Resources, FWRC honor faculty
Mississippi State University faculty in the College of Forest Resources and the Forest and Wildlife Research Center -- James Henderson, Morgan Varner, Robbie Kroger, Robert Grala and Jerrold Belant -- were recently recognized for exceptional teaching, service and research accomplishments.