Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Rick Snyder, an Extension/research professor at the Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station in Crystal Springs, talks to Joseph Wilson, center, and Lynn Loecher at the microfarming workshop in Raymond in late August. The two-day event helped growers understand the benefits and facts of growing for and selling at farmers markets. PHOTO: Kevin Hudson | MSU Ag Communications

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Joseph Elinburg
The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine relies on Joseph Elinburg to keep buildings operating smoothly. Elinburg maintains plumbing, repairs mechanical equipment, and does whatever else needs to be done. Roy Watkins, Building Services Supervisor for CVM Facilities Engineering, said he is a great employee.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Marvin Saulter
Marvin Saulter gave up being his own boss when he took a job as the Mechanic Shop Supervisor at the Delta Research and Extension Center. “I was self-employed when I interviewed for the job as a mechanic,” Saulter said. “They offered me a deal that I could not turn down. I have been there ever since.” Saulter said the best part of his job is being able to fix a variety of equipment.

DOJ attorney to lead national security sessions
One of the nation's top counterespionage prosecutors will speak at Mississippi State next week. Will Mackie, a senior attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice's National Security Division, is scheduled to lead two program sessions during a Sept. 15 visit to the university. Open to all, the sessions will take place 2-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the Colvard Student Union's Bill Foster Ballroom/Section S.

Collins Speaker Series hosts Hailman Wednesday
Mississippi State University Libraries' inaugurates the 2014-15 Morris W.H. (Bill) Collins Speaker Series with an address on Wednesday by a well-known Oxford author and former federal prosecutor. John Hailman's presentation, "My Life with Senator Stennis," will begin at 2 p.m. in Mitchell Memorial Library's John Grisham Room.

Cross-college research funding proposals sought
The Office of Research and Economic Development is again soliciting proposals from Mississippi State faculty who desire to create interdisciplinary, cross-college research groups on campus. These grants will be in the amount of $2,000 each and limited to a period of 12 months (renewable one time for a total of 24 months and $4,000). The grants are intended to facilitate interdisciplinary interaction between faculty and students that have a common research theme.

Invest in your community by volunteering this fall
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community in its newsletter this week. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to make a difference by volunteering this fall.

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.

Sports Hall of Fame to roast Sherrill on Tuesday
The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame's roast of the winningest coach in Mississippi State football history will be held Tuesday at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Jackson. Jackie Sherrill, who grew up in Biloxi, played college football at Alabama and also had successful coaching stints at Pittsburgh and Texas A&M, will be roasted by his former players and associates, including Tony Dorsett who played for Sherrill at Pittsburgh.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 09/08/14
Men's Golf opens play on Monday in the Sam Hall Intercollegiate in Hattiesburg... Volleyball hosts South Alabama on Thursday at 7 p.m., Memphis at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nicholls State at 3 p.m. and Northwestern State at 7 p.m. on Saturday... Soccer hosts South Alabama on Friday at 7 p.m. and Louisiana Tech at 1 p.m. on Sunday... Cross Country competes Saturday at the Vanderbilt Classic in Nashville... Football visits Mobile on Saturday for a 3 p.m. kickoff against South Alabama... Women's Golf opens play in the Cougar Classic in Charleston, S.C., on Sunday.

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.

Mississippi State icon Jack Cristil dies at age 88
Jacob Sanford "Jack" Cristil, the beloved former sports broadcaster of six decades of Mississippi State University athletics, died Sunday at the age of 88 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo of complications from kidney disease and cancer after an extended illness. Cristil, who served MSU from 1953 to 2011, was known throughout the South as "the Voice of the Bulldogs."

Hodges, Pearson serving as co-interim deans
Julia Hodges and Allison Pearson will serve as co-interim deans for Mississippi State's Meridian campus beginning Sept. 13. "I'm very pleased that Drs. Hodges and Pearson have agreed to take on this very important interim role. They both have tremendous experience in transition leadership and will do an excellent job," said Jerry Gilbert, MSU provost and executive vice president.

Zavattaro's new book featured
A new book by Staci M. Zavattaro, an assistant professor of public administration in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Mississippi State, has been published and is drawing attention. Earlier this month, New Books in Political Science posted an interview with Zavattaro about her work, "Cities for Sale: Municipalities as Public Relations and Marketing Firms."

SEC visiting faculty travel grant deadline Friday
The Southeastern Conference Visiting Faculty Travel Grant Program is intended to enhance faculty collaboration that stimulates scholarly initiatives between SEC universities. Mississippi State University can select a maximum of four faculty members to receive 2015 travel grants of $2,500 each for transportation, room, board, etc., to use for travel to another SEC campus. Completed applications must be submitted by Friday.