Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State's new track around Chadwick Lake has become a popular destination for students, faculty, staff and the local community since opening in October. The one-mile loop was funded by a grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Sydney Hall
When Sydney Hall began her job as a student worker in the Media Collaboration Laboratory of the Social Science Research Center, she planned to become a librarian. Two years later, she completed a master’s degree in Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion. Why? She became passionate about the work done at SSRC to promote healthy lifestyles.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Cyndi Harvey
Working at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine provides a lot of variety for animal health technician Cyndi Harvey, who spends her days making a difference in the lives of both students and patients.

Marszalek to speak at New York Historical Society
A Giles Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Mississippi State will be making multiple speaking appearances this spring at the New York Historical Society. John F. Marszalek, now executive director and managing editor for the university-based Ulysses S. Grant Association and Grant Presidential Library, made his first appearance with the society last week as part of the society's Bernard and Irene Schwartz Distinguished Speaker Series.

Barr Avenue, George Perry Street closures in place
In late December, 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.

MLK Day of Service volunteer opportunities
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, Humane Society training, the MSU Food Security Network 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.

Oswalt to keynote First Pitch banquet
Three-time Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher Roy Oswalt will be the guest speaker for the 2014 Mississippi State baseball First Pitch banquet, head coach John Cohen announced last week. The event will take place on Feb. 1 at 11:30 a.m. in the Palmeiro Center on campus. Advance tickets are on sale now.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 01/13/14
Men's Basketball is on the road Wednesday for a 7 p.m. tipoff against Alabama in Tuscaloosa (SEC-TV), and then hosts Texas A&M at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday (SEC-TV)... Women's Basketball hosts Tennessee on Thursday at 8 p.m. (CSS-TV), and then travels to College Station on Sunday for a 2 p.m. tipoff against Texas A&M... Track & Field competes at the Auburn Invitational in Birmingham on Saturday... Men's Tennis hosts Jackson State at 11 a.m. and Alabama State at 4 p.m. on Saturday... Women's Tennis hosts Alabama State at 11 a.m. and Alabama A&M at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The Office of Public Affairs provides Maroon MEMO as a general information
resource for Mississippi State University employees.

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University broadens research ties with UN's FAO
During meetings last week in Rome, Mississippi State officials formally broadened an agreement to work together with the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization on initiatives to address world hunger and poverty. The MSU delegation included President Mark E. Keenum, Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Gilbert, Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Shaw, Vice President for Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine Greg Bohach, College of Veterinary Medicine Associate Dean Mark Lawrence and Associate Vice President for International Programs Jon P. Rezek.

Status improves on residence hall damage
One day after frozen pipes caused by record cold temperatures last week produced substantial water damage to at least three Mississippi State residence halls, university officials said the damage was less extensive than originally feared. "After a more extensive assessment of the damage, it appears that approximately 120 students will be impacted," said MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Bill Kibler.

Forest resources professorships awarded
Three Mississippi State University faculty in the College of Forest Resources and the Forest and Wildlife Research Center were named distinguished professors for exceptional teaching, service and research accomplishments. The professorships were presented during ceremonies at the college’s annual advisory banquet. The professorships are named for outstanding faculty in each of the college’s departments.