Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

At a March 4 ribbon-cutting ceremony for "American Presidents: Life Portraits" were, front (l-r) John Marszalek, executive director of the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library; MSU Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Gilbert; MSU President Mark E. Keenum; Dean of Libraries Frances Coleman; and Vice President of Student Affairs Bill Kibler; back (l-r) Kyle Jordan, field representative for Rep. Gregg Harper; Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman; Eddie French, interim director of the Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development; K.C. Morrison, head of MSU's political science and public administration department; Rex Buffington, executive director for the Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership; and Hank Mosley, special assistant for constituent services for Rep. Gregg Harper. PHOTO: Beth Wynn | Public Affairs

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Andi Hannigan
Andi Hannigan grew up running around Mississippi State University’s Starkville campus. With both parents employed by the university, she had little doubt where she would go to college. What she didn’t anticipate was the turn her career path would take. Hannigan became a certified veterinary technologist in the spring of 2013. Her workday at the College of Veterinary Medicine includes both routine and more in-depth cases. She is especially interested in dental cases.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Ebony Jones
From the moment she started her job as an Extension agent in Tunica County, Ebony Jones has been on the move. With multiple school, community and special interest clubs, every day is different. “In livestock season I could be in my office with heels on one day and in a pen with work boots on the next,” Jones said. “I could be working with 4-H’ers to plant a garden and then need to be ready for a meeting. I could be practicing with my drama team and then turn around to do a community-clean up or pack bags at the local food bank. That’s what I love about 4-H -- I can’t get bored.”

Road closures in place for spring break
There will be two scheduled road closures on the Mississippi State University campus during the week of spring break. Please plan commuting routes accordingly. Starting last Saturday, B.S. Hood Drive is closed for the installation of new signage and lighting on the West facade of Davis Wade Stadium. Starting this Monday, one lane of the far southern portion of Morgan Avenue will close for sanitary sewer repairs. The road will remain passable during the repair work.

'Invisible Girls' latest Maroon Edition selection
Sarah Thebarge's "The Invisible Girls: A Memoir" is the 2014 Maroon Edition selection at Mississippi State. "We hope that all of next fall's incoming freshmen will read the book before the fall semester begins and participate in related activities planned for next academic year," said President Mark E. Keenum in making the announcement last week.

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, 03/10/14
Men's Golf opens play in the Tiger Invitational at Opelika on Monday, and then the Seminole Intercollegiate at Tallahassee on Friday... Women's Golf opens play in the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational at Honolulu on Tuesday... Softball is on the road to Georgia on Tuesday for a 4 p.m. game with Kennesaw State, a 3 p.m. game on Wednesday with Georgia State, and a weekend series against Georgia, beginning Friday at 5 p.m. Baseball hosts Southern Illinois at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, and then opens a weekend series against Georgia in Athens on Friday at 6 p.m.... Track & Field begins competition at the NCAA Championships at Albuquerque on Wednesday... Men's Basketball opens play in the SEC Tournament on Wednesday... Men's Tennis plays Kentucky in Lexington on Friday at 1 p.m. and Vanderbilt in Nashville at noon on Sunday... Women's Tennis hosts Kentucky at 3 p.m. on Friday and Vanderbilt 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.

Keith to serve as interim engineering dean
A Mississippi State department head will serve as interim dean of the Bagley College of Engineering. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering director Jason Keith assumed his new role March 1. Associate professor Bill Elmore will serve as interim leader of chemical engineering. "We are confident that Dr. Keith will help us maintain the momentum of the Bagley College of Engineering in gaining greater national and international recognition for the great work of our faculty and students," said Jerry Gilbert, MSU provost and executive vice president.

Mago elevated to grade of Fellow in ASME
An endowed professor in the Bagley College of Engineering will receive the highest membership honor from an international organization. Pedro Mago, the Tennessee Valley Authority professor of mechanical engineering, has been selected as a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The rank of Fellow is the highest grade of membership in many professional organizations. It is awarded to members who have made a significant impact to their respective fields.

University hires full-time sign language interpreter
A first full-time sign language interpreter at Mississippi State is beginning his duties with the university's Student Support Services office. Niall Cook was a staff interpreter at Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services for 10 years before joining MSU earlier this semester. With Disability Support Services, Cook will conduct counseling and related sessions for new students, as well as assisting those with hearing and sensory impairments.

Forde serving on two national PR education boards
The head of Mississippi State's communication department now serves on two national boards dealing with public relations education. Associate professor John E. Forde recently was appointed to the Universal Accreditation Board of the Public Relations Society of America and the UAB's Commission on Public Relations Education. Forde, who has held UAB accreditation for 20 years and was named in 2010 to the PRSA College of Fellows, long has advocated for accreditation of the profession.