Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Gray Turnage, an MSU research specialist in aquatic invasive species at the Geosystems Research Institute, uses GPS to determine the precise location of the alligator weed in a pond located at the H.H. Leveck Animal Research Center, also known as South Farm. Once identified, the grass will be eradicated to restore the pond's natural habitat. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs

FBI explosives awareness training Thursday
Mississippi State will host the FBI National Improvised Explosives Familiarization and Chemical Industry Outreach Workshop on Thursday from 1-5 p.m. The free workshop will teach law enforcement, first responders, chemical industry representatives and university personnel how to identify improvised explosives.

Garden fest set for Truck Crops Experiment Station
Leisure gardeners and horticulture professionals are invited to attend the Southeast’s most popular gardening show Oct. 17 and 18 at the Mississippi State University Truck Crops Experiment Station. The Fall Flower & Garden Fest draws more than 5,000 people to Crystal Springs each year to get the latest recommendations for plants and gardening techniques.

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.

International travel? Take tropical precautions
Some travelers may be afraid of lions, tigers and bears, but the real health threats come from mosquitoes, ticks and fleas. David Buys, health specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said people traveling outside the United States should consult doctors, local health departments, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for disease risks and recommendations.

Symphony concert season opens Oct. 7
The Starkville-Mississippi State University Symphony Association's 2014-15 season begins Oct. 7 with a free 6 p.m. Big Band concert at the downtown Renasant Bank Plaza. Founded March 2, 1969 in the home of Starkville residents David and Barbara Cornell, the symphony association is a non-profit volunteer organization whose members work to educate, enlighten and share classical music.

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.

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.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 09/22/14
Volleyball is on the road to Columbia for a match against Missouri on at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, and then travels to Fayetteville for a 1:30 p.m. match against Arkansas... Soccer visits Lexington for a 6:30 p.m. game against Kentucky on Friday, and then kicks off in Knoxville against Tennessee on Sunday at noon... Men's Tennis opens play at the ITA All-American Championships in Tulsa, Okla., on Saturday... Women's Tennis starts play at the ITA Riviera All-American Championship in Pacific Palisades, Calif., on Saturday... Softball plays an exhibition against Alabama Southern on Saturday at 2 p.m. in McComb, and then hosts Mobile in an exhibition at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

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Keenum welcomes new faculty, talks priorities
Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum addressed university faculty last week at the annual fall faculty meeting, during which he welcomed the 120 new faculty members hired since last year. He discussed several topics, including his priority of increasing faculty salaries.

Franklin, Harris, Baker earn Hall of Fame laurels
Aqua Franklin, Johnnie Harris and Maryann Baker brought championship rings with them to the Mississippi State women's basketball program, and now they are also adding hall of fame laurels to their resumes.

Wanted: cross-college research funding proposals
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.

Applications sought for teaching excellence awards
Mississippi State University faculty who are interested in submitting applications for the 2015 Grisham Master Teacher Award, the Alumni Association Early Career Teaching Excellence Award or the Alumni Association Graduate Teaching Excellence Award have until Oct. 13 to do so. All current full-time faculty members at MSU with the required years of service, regardless of rank, are eligible to apply for these awards.