Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Flowers around campus at Mississippi State, including the Japanese magnolias in front of the Chapel of Memories, are beginning to open in anticipation of warmer spring temperatures. PHOTO: Russ Houston | Public Affairs

MSU Libraries to host Ragtime Jazz Festival
The Gatsby Gala, a 1920s-inspired fashion show, kicks off the 2014 Charles Templeton Ragtime Jazz Festival at Mississippi State. The annual event is sponsored by MSU, University Libraries and Mitchell Memorial Library's Charles Templeton Sr. Music Museum. Frances N. Coleman, dean of MSU Libraries, noted that the festival now is in its eighth year of bringing renowned ragtime and jazz pianists to campus.

Take a break from midterms to serve
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including Girl Scouting in the School Day, Habitat for Humanity shifts, and much, much more.

Outstanding women awards deadline extended
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2014 Outstanding Women Awards Program, sponsored by the President's Commission on the Status of Women. These awards recognize women who are advocates for the well being, development and advancement of all women on Mississippi State University campuses and the surrounding communities. MSU faculty, staff and students are invited to nominate campus and community women for the awards. Nominations are due Tuesday.

Maroon Alert: Sharing emergency updates with MSU
During this time of year, weather becomes more of a factor in our day-to-day lives at Mississippi State University. The Maroon Alert system is how we communicate with the campus community about emergency situations that may arise on campus. Maroon Alert is a family of communication outlets to communicate about emergency situations. In most situations the primary means of communication are web, e-mail, Twitter via @maroonalert and sometimes instant messaging.

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.

Super Bulldog Weekend coming up in April
The 29th annual Super Bulldog Weekend, a Mississippi State spring homecoming tradition featuring four days of athletic events and a pig cooking contest, will take place April 10-13 on the Starkville campus. The event is once again being presented by Regions Bank.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 03/03/14
Softball hosts UAB at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, and then opens a weekend series at home with Kentucky on Friday at 6 p.m. Games continue on Saturday, 3 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m.... Women's Basketball opens play in the SEC Tournament at Duluth, Ga., on Wednesday... Men's Basketball is on the road to Athens for a 6 p.m. tipoff against Georgia, and then hosts South Carolina at 3 p.m. on Saturday... Baseball hosts South Alabama on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., and then travels to Tucson to play UC Santa Barbara at 3 p.m. and Arizona at 8 p.m. on Friday, UC Santa Barbara at 3 p.m. on Saturday, and Arizona at 6 p.m. on Sunday... Men's Tennis plays Georgia in Athens on Friday at 1:30 p.m., and then visits Knoxville on Sunday for a noon match with Tennessee... Women's Tennis hosts Georgia at 3 p.m. on Friday and Tennessee on Sunday at 1 p.m.

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.

Keenum keynotes world hunger conference
Mississippi State President Mark E. Keenum served as keynote speaker last week at a Universities Fighting World Hunger high level dialogue for key stakeholders who are pioneering solutions to one of the world's greatest challenges. Titled "Shaping the Collective Role of Universities as a Partner in Ending Hunger," the meeting for university presidents and provosts was hosted by Auburn University's Hunger Solutions Institute. The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization were co-sponsors.

Herrington takes key marketing role
Checky Herrington is a new member of Mississippi State's Office of Public Affairs, where he oversees marketing initiatives that support recruitment, growth and advancement goals. With more than three decades in marketing, public relations and brand strategy development, the Louisville native has produced a consistent record of exceeded expectations while earning multiple local, regional and national recognitions, said Sid Salter, chief communications officer and Office of Public Affairs director, in making the announcement.

Chang made an international fellow
Mississippi State University food scientist Sam Chang has been elected a fellow of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology and will represent MSU in this field’s largest academy in the world. A certified food scientist, Chang is professor and head of the MSU Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion. He was elected as a fellow based on his outstanding contributions to the field of science and technology.

HRM's Morris, Thomas earn certification
Human Resources Management Learning and Development Specialist Adrienne Morris and Associate Director Kim Thomas recently earned the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from the Human Resource Certification Institute. Certification requires meeting strict professional experience and educational requirements prior to sitting for the exam. Recertification is required every three years to ensure professionals stay current in the HR field.