Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Karen Coats, a lab technician at the Mississippi State University Plant Disease and Nematode Diagnostic Laboratory, begins testing a soil sample to detect nematodes last month. Testing for nematodes in the fall allows managers time to address any problems that are found. The MSU diagnostic lab charges $11 per sample to test for nematodes. PHOTO: Kevin Hudson | MSU Ag Communications

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Shirley Davis
The Holmes County Extension Service can count on Shirley Davis to provide support to all county staff. Davis said what motivates her most in her job is being a resource for everyone around her. “I love and enjoy helping my co-workers with the many aspects of their jobs,” she said. “They know they can depend on me with any task, no matter how large or small when needed. They know that I will be eager to help.”

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Myung-Bok Lee
The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture relies on Myung-Bok Lee to provide them with information about their research in an organized manner. Lee is a research associate in the department. She analyzes the research data and prepares manuscripts for publication. “I provide analysis of the data, which helps others in the department with their research,” she said. “That’s what I am good at.”

New interactive campus map system debuts
Mississippi State University has announced the implementation of its new online campus map, a richly interactive tool that will help guide students, parents, alumni and other visitors around campus, both online and in person. "There are many different users this map will serve," said MSU Chief Communications Officer Sid Salter. "Along with new students and alumni, parents and other campus visitors will be better able to experience what Mississippi's flagship research university has to offer."

PCSM to host diversity conference this week
The President's Commission on the Status of Minorities at Mississippi State will host the 2014 Diversity Conference Thursday and Friday in Colvard Student Union. The conference -- "From Conversations to Collaboration: Pathways to Diversity" -- will feature several nationally and regionally recognized speakers. One of the conference's primary goals will be to discuss critical issues related to diversity in higher education while creating opportunities via communication to open doors for better understanding.

University hosting PERS seminar next week
Human Resources Management at Mississippi State is hosting a Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi pre-retirement, full-day seminar on Nov. 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Bost Extension Center on the Starkville campus. The seminar offers general information on a range of topics, including estate planning, the Mississippi Deferred Compensation Plan and Trust, Social Security benefits, and PERS benefits and options. Pre-registration is required

MSU Foundation's 2015 calendar sale underway
The 2015 Mississippi State hanging wall calendar is now available from the MSU Foundation. This window to MSU features a sleek, modern design, with 13 beautiful campus scenes. Featuring images by the university's own award-winning photographers, it's truly a one-of-a-kind treasure.

International working group grant program open
The International Institute is requesting proposals from faculty and research and Extension staff interested in creating interdisciplinary, cross-college international working groups at Mississippi State. The main goal of this competitive program is to encourage interdisciplinary international research. A secondary goal of the program is to expand and catalyze established international partnerships.

Give thanks and volunteer this month
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.

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, 11/10/14
Men's Golf begins play Monday in the Central Alabama CC Invitational at Alexander City... Volleyball travels to Tuscaloosa on Wednesday for a 5 p.m. match against Alabama, and then hosts LSU at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday... Cross Country competes Friday at the NCAA South Regional Championships in Tallahassee... Men's Basketball hosts Western Carolina at 5:30 p.m. on Friday... Women's Basketball hosts Mercer on Friday at 8 p.m. in the Preseaon WNIT first round... Football visits Tuscaloosa on Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff against Alabama.

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 delivers Knapp Memorial Lecture
Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum delivered the 2014 Seaman A. Knapp Memorial Lecture in memory of "The Father of Extension" at the annual meeting of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities earlier this month. Keenum discussed how American universities, and land-grant institutions in particular, are well equipped to help governments, international organizations, business sector and NGOs in addressing pervasive global problems such as vitamin deficiencies, access to clean water, hunger and malnutrition.

Murphy, music fraternity receive major honors
She only began advising Mississippi State's chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity two years ago, but instructor Karen Murphy already is earning national recognitions for the university organization and herself. Murphy recently was honored as Fraternity Advisor of the Year among the SAI's 212 chapters nationwide, while the MSU group she serves received a regional Outstanding Chapter of the Year award.

Amburgey receives lifetime merit award
A Mississippi State University professor emeritus recently received a national honor for his lifetime of service. The Railway Tie Association, or RTA, executive committee gave Terry Amburgey, a Giles Distinguished Professor, the 2014 Award of Merit for his contribution to the industry. The award is given at the executive committee’s discretion and has been awarded only two other times since the association was formed in 1919.

Team goes the distance for parking and transit
Aside from a great football ticket, there's nothing more prized on game day than a good parking spot at Mississippi State, and for those who commute to campus regularly, the pursuit of that coveted spot is year round. Under the leadership of new director Jeremiah Dumas, the MSU Parking and Transit Operations staff is setting their sights to being more effective than ever in their service to the university and its guests.