Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Construction continues on The Fresh Food Company, a 29,000-square-foot residential dining facility on the former site of the university's intramural tennis courts on the south side of campus. The building is scheduled for completion in July 2015. PHOTO: Russ Houston | Public Affairs

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Kathy Bryant
In her role as business coordinator for the Central Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Hinds County, Kathy Bryant helps make sure things run smoothly in the office. Bryant, who has worked for MSU for almost 32 years, said she has enjoyed being part of the Bulldog family and helping others.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Susan Fulgham
As an office associate for the Extension Center for Technology Outreach, Susan Fulgham helps the MSU Extension Service reach a broad audience throughout the state. “I was around agriculture and farm animals during my childhood, and I have always enjoyed technology, so this job deals with two things I really enjoy,” she explained.

Monday ceremony for Maroon Edition house
Mississippi State University and Starkville Habitat for Humanity officials will break ground for the sixth Maroon Edition Habitat for Humanity house on Monday at 10:30 a.m. Students, along with faculty and staff volunteers, will build the house located at 84 Murdock Lane in Starkville throughout the fall semester. Habitat's partnership with MSU is the service-learning component of the university's Maroon Edition First-Year Reading Experience.

Exhibit to feature Maroon Edition-inspired works
Works of six artists inspired by Mississippi State's 2014 Maroon Edition book selection will be on display through Sept. 19. Titled "Identity," the free, public exhibition in the Colvard Student Union Art Gallery is organized by MSU's Center for Student Activities, Maroon Edition freshman common reading program, and College of Architecture, Art and Design's art department.

Kick off fall with the Maroon Volunteer Center
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its current newsletter, including Habitat for Humanity, Peter's Rock Food Pantry, MVC Open House and OrgSync Training, Starkville High Football Boosters, and more.

Japan Outreach Program to host free film series
Movie fans can enjoy three free Japanese films at an upcoming series at Mississippi State University’s Bost Extension Center. The Japan Outreach Program at MSU is presenting the comedy “ROBO-G” on Aug. 22 from 6-8 p.m., the animated adventure “Brave Story” on Sept. 12 from 5-7 p.m., and the drama “Always: Sunset on Third Street 3” on Sept. 26 from 5-7 p.m. The series is a celebration of the recently established Japan Outreach Program and the arrival of the Yokohama Tire plant.

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."

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.

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, 08/11/14
Soccer is on the road to Memphis on Wednesday for a 10 a.m. exhibition against the Tigers, and then visits Tuscaloosa on Saturday for an exhibition against Alabama at 7 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 chosen vice chairman of FFAR board
Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum was elected by his fellow directors as vice chairman of the 15-member board of the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research at the group's inaugural meeting last week. Keenum was appointed to a three-year term on the FFAR board of directors by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack.

Ragsdale to speak at SEC Symposium
Mississippi State University applied medical anthropologist Kathleen Ragsdale will be a featured speaker at the annual SEC Symposium, "Prevention of Obesity: Overcoming a 21st Century Public Health Challenge" next month. The second annual symposium will be held Sept. 21-23 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Representatives from all 14 SEC institutions will cover a range of obesity-related topics focusing on prevention and treatment.

Jha named fellow of international organization
An international organization has selected a Bagley College research director for its highest membership honor. Ratneshwar “Ratan” Jha, the director of the Raspet Flight Research Laboratory, has been named a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Less than three percent of ASME members have received this honor.

MSU Extension experts win national awards
The National Association of County Agricultural Agents recognized six Mississippi State University Extension Service experts for their skill in connecting with clients. MSU personnel won top honors in four of the 14 categories in the association’s Communications Awards Program.