Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

University officials, along with city and state leaders, celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Starkville-Mississippi State University Area Rapid Transit system last week. S.M.A.R.T.'s free campus-community routes already attract more than 5,000 riders each day. From left are Director of Parking, Transit and Sustainability Jeremiah Dumas, Northern District Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert, MSU President Mark E. Keenum, Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman and Manager of Shuttle Operations Jeanette Bailey. PHOTO: Russ Houston | Public Affairs

Friday deadline for staff award nominations
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 Friday.

Policy addresses employee political activity
With political campaigning underway this year, Mississippi State's Office of General Counsel reminds employees to be aware of the university's policy on political activities. There are several basic guidelines that university employees should keep in mind when engaging in any form of political activity.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Robert 'Tony' Adams
From the time he was a student at Mississippi State University, Tony Adams has been involved with cattle. “I worked at the MSU dairy farm and was a member of the 1982 MSU Dairy Cattle Judging Team,” Adams said. “I also served as president of the MSU Dairy Science Club.”

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Regina Boykins
Regina Boykins enjoys helping people. “I really love that I have the opportunity to encourage people and help them change their lives for the better by giving them the information and resources they need,” said Boykins, an Extension agent in the Humphreys County office. Youth and adults benefit from her work in 4-H, family consumer science and community resource development.

CALS recognizes outstanding teachers
Faculty in Mississippi State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences were honored as exemplary teachers during recent award ceremonies. Chosen from a field of 217 instructors, four faculty received honors for inspiring students both in and out of the classroom.

CALS, MAFES honor Miles and Hathcock
Mississippi State University staff were recently recognized by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station for outstanding contributions.

'Walk a Mile in Her Shoes' on Monday
More than 500 men will leave their comfort zones this week to consider issues from a woman's perspective. Taking place Monday, Mississippi State's annual "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" experience will have the male participants put on high heels and take a walk around the Junction. Open to all, the event is part of an international campaign designed to raise awareness and help prevent gender violence.

MVC kicks off National Volunteer Week
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including National Volunteer Week events, disaster kit assembly for the President's Interfaith Community Service Campus Challenge, Cotton District Arts Festival 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, 04/07/14
Men's Golf hosts the Old Waverly Collegiate Championship at Old Waverly in West Point on Monday and Tuesday... Baseball travels to Pearl on Tuesday for a 6:35 p.m. ballgame against Southern Miss at Trustmark Park, and then hosts Ole Miss in an SEC weekend series with games on Friday, 6:30 p.m., Saturday, 3 p.m. and Sunday, 1:30 p.m.... Softball plays South Alabama in Mobile on Wednesday at 6 p.m., and then hosts Alabama for Super Bulldog Weekend with games on Friday, 5 p.m., Saturday, 6 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m.... Track & Field competes in the Border War: Mississippi vs. Alabama meet in Tuscaloosa on Friday... Women's Tennis is on the road to Columbia for a Friday match against Missouri and then visits College Station to play Texas A&M at noon on Sunday... Men's Tennis hosts Texas A&M on Sunday at noon.

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

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Super Bulldog Weekend kicks off Thursday
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 this week on the Starkville campus. The event is once again being presented by Regions Bank.

Potts named new university police chief
Mississippi State's new police chief is a 23-year law enforcement veteran who has spent much of his career at Purdue University. The appointment of Tim A. Potts is pending formal approval by the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning. University officials said Potts is expected to begin his work May 15. Dean of Students Thomas Bourgeois said he and other Division of Student Affairs administrators also are happy to have Potts join the MSU family.

Morrison appointed APSA secretary
The head of Mississippi State's political science and public administration department is a new top officer of the American Political Science Association. K.C. Morrison recently became secretary of the Washington, D.C.-based organization working to promote scholarly research and quality teaching, among other goals. "I look forward to assisting the executive team of the association in strengthening the enterprise of political science," Morrison said.

'Infinite Impact' surpasses $400 million
Fundraising for Mississippi State's most recent capital campaign has surged past the $400 million mark, hitting $408.6 million at the close of March as it gains momentum toward a minimum $600 million goal. The milestone comes just six months after the launch of "Infinite Impact: The Mississippi State University Campaign." "We cannot thank our faithful alumni and friends enough for their support of this capital campaign. Their gifts will indeed have an 'infinite impact' on our campus and our world for years to come," said MSU President Mark E. Keenum.