Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State’s dean of libraries Frances Coleman (left) accepted the 2014 Elbert R. Hilliard Oral History Award for outstanding oral history project from Elbert R. Hilliard, director emeritus of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History in March. The university was recognized for the “Echoes of Lloyd-Ricks-Watson” project.

Faculty leadership program seeks nominations
In the upcoming 2014-2015 academic year, the Office of Research and Economic Development and the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President at Mississippi State will again be conducting an Academic Leadership Orientation Program for selected faculty. This program has been very successful in the past, and many of its participants serve in key leadership positions on campus. Nominations for the program are now being accepted.

Health and wellness in focus on campus
Mississippi State is focusing on healthy lifestyles with a new grant to service faculty, staff, students and the Starkville community. A $250,000 Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation grant is establishing the MSU Health Fitness and Wellness Program to be administered through the university's kinesiology department to promote fitness, nutrition, smoking cessation, stress management and behavioral change strategies.

Faculty/Staff Golf League tees off Saturday
Hosted by the MSU Institute of Golf, the Faculty/Staff Golf League has been a Mississippi State golf club for more than three decades with regular nine-hole play on Tuesday evenings and a schedule of weekend tournaments from spring through early fall. MSU faculty, staff, students alumni and friends are invited to join.

Community invited to CVM open house
The Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine is inviting visitors of all ages to attend its 29th annual Open House this week. This year’s theme is “Animal Crossing.” One of the primary goals of the event is to open the world of veterinary medicine to visitors through fun activities and educational sessions on animal health and behavior.

MVC update: Relay for Life & Coffee with a Christian
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including Coffee with a Christian, MSU Undergraduate Research Symposium, International Fiesta, Sally Kate Winters 5K and more.

Maroon Alert: Sharing emergency updates with MSU
Every spring, weather becomes more of a factor in our day-to-day lives at Mississippi State. The Maroon Alert system is how we communicate with the campus community about emergency situations. 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 next week
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, 03/31/14
Softball plays Mississippi Valley State in Itta Bena on Tuesday at 6 p.m., and then hosts Missouri for a weekend series with games on Friday, 6 p.m., Saturday, 3 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m.... Women's Golf opens play in the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic at Athens on Friday... Track & Field competes Friday and Saturday at the Bayou Invitational in Baton Rouge... Men's Tennis hosts Florida at 2 p.m. on Friday, and then travels to Columbia for a Sunday match against South Carolina at 11 a.m.... Women's Tennis hosts Florida on Friday at 5 p.m. and South Carolina at 1 p.m. on Sunday... Baseball travels to Baton Rouge for a weekend series against LSU with games on Friday, 6:30 p.m. (CSS-TV), Saturday, 6:30 p.m. (ESPNU), and Sunday, 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.

Diversity Award winners announced
A forestry extension faculty member, a senior education major from Calhoun County and a campus support body for LGBTQ members are this year's selections for top diversity recognitions at Mississippi State. President's Commission on the Status of Minorities chair Gregory Hunley said the annual awards ceremony is a signature event which provides an excellent platform to honor those who are promoting diversity.

Harris joins MSU Extension Service
A new environmental biologist specializing in conservation has joined the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Jared Harris of Poplarville will serve as the lead contact for 23 southern counties as a coordinator for the Research and Education to Advance Conservation and Habitat, or REACH, program. His work is a new collaborative effort between the MSU Extension Service, REACH, EPA-Gulf of Mexico Program office, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Pearl River Community College.

S.M.A.R.T. shuttle system ceremony on Monday
A formal ribbon-cutting for the new Starkville-Mississippi State University Area Rapid Transit system will take place Monday at the Palmeiro Center on campus. Open to all, the ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m. MSU President Mark E. Keenum, MSU Vice President for Campus Services Amy Tuck, Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman and Northern District Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert will be among officials and community members taking part in the special event.

Nominations wanted for distinguished staff awards
MSU Staff Council needs your help in nominating outstanding Mississippi State University employees for the Zacharias Distinguished Staff awards. Twelve winners will be presented with a plaque of recognition and a check for $1,000. Awards will be announced at the annual Staff Appreciation Day on May 17 in the Junction. The nomination deadline is April 11.