Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State University is partnering with Daktronics, Inc., to provide an integrated LED high-definition centerhung video display system at Humphrey Coliseum. Matthew Murphy, a sub contractor for Daktronics, works to install the new video board, which will be ready for the 2014-15 men's and women's basketball seasons. PHOTO: Russ Houston | Public Affairs

University committed to serving veterans
Earlier this month, Jack Winstead, a board member of Friends of Mississippi Veterans, presented Mississippi State University president Mark E. Keenum with an FMV cap and received an MSU camo baseball cap from the president. The 75-acre cemetery site, located in Newton County, was donated by MSU from land that formerly was part of the land-grant institution’s Coastal Plains Experiment Station.

Distance Education's 'Lunch & Learn' to return
The Center for Distance Education at Mississippi State University again will host its popular Lunch & Learn series this fall. The series opens on Sept. 17 with "MSU Distance Students: Looking at Online Programs from Their Perspective."

Movin' You to MSU volunteers needed
Faculty and staff volunteers are needed for Mississippi State University's annual Movin' You to MSU move-in day, which will take place Aug. 9, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Duties include working check-in at Humphrey Coliseum or McCarthy Gym, moving boxes from cars to rooms, greeting students and directing traffic.

SPA taking DAWG program applications
Sponsored Programs Administration at Mississippi State University is taking applications for the 2014-15 Departmental Administrators Working Group program until Friday. The primary goal of DAWG is the development and application of knowledge and skills in the area of sponsored project administration.

Sign up now for Service Dawgs Day
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including Service Dawgs Day, Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium, gleaning watermelons, Oak Hall move-out day, and more.

Lyceum season ticket sales underway
An Aug. 20 concert by country music legend Merle Haggard will kick off Mississippi State's 2014-15 Lyceum Series season in newly renovated Lee Hall. Season-ticket renewal sales take place July 1-July 18. With the return of the full venue and reserved seating, season ticket holders again may reclaim seats reserved in the 2011-12 season.

MSU Riley Center announces fall/winter series
The MSU Riley Center’s 2014/2015 Fall/Winter Performing Arts Series offers an amazing lineup of talent for music lovers of every age and taste. The series will showcase a wide array of performances in a beautiful historic setting, providing audiences with musical and theatrical experiences unlike any other.

Register today for CERT half-marathon, 5K
The Community Emergency Response Team at Mississippi State is hosting The Preparathon -- a half-marathon, 5K, half-mile family fun run and Emergency Preparedness Fair -- in mid-October. Proceeds from the races will benefit the Oktibbeha County Volunteer Fire Departments, OSERVS and the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services.

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 appointed to USDA foundation board
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack announced in Washington, D.C., last week that Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum has been appointed to a three-year term on the board of directors of the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research. The foundation will operate as a non-profit corporation seeking and accepting private donations in order to fund research activities that focus on problems of national and international significance.

Green named Extension family finances specialist
An experienced consumer economics professor has been named the new family financial management specialist for the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Rita Green, who most recently has served as an assistant professor of human development and family studies with an emphasis in consumer economics in the MSU School of Human Sciences. She fills a vacancy left by the recent retirement of Bobbie Shaffett.

Softball completes staff with Ricketts
An All-American, career-record holder and former professional softball player, is coming to Starkville. Samantha Ricketts will complete the 2014-15 Mississippi State softball coaching staff, according to an announcement from head coach Vann Stuedeman last week. Ricketts, who will work with Bulldog hitters and have game management and recruiting responsibilities, spent the last three years as an assistant coach at Wichita State.