Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Last week, Mississippi State's International Institute hosted Moroccan Ambassador Rachad Bouhlal, far right. On Tuesday morning, he visited the Lois Dowdle Cobb Museum of Archaeology to view its Middle Eastern and North American collections. Anthropology and Middle Eastern culture faculty guided the tour, including, from left, associate professor Jimmy Hardin and assistant professors Kate McClellan and Toni Copeland. Here, the ambassador views the relics Hardin's team found during an Israeli dig as Hardin explains the group's recent discovery of materials supporting the existence of biblical kings David and Solomon. PHOTO: Russ Houston | Public Affairs

Mayfield, Rester earn CPPO certification
Two Mississippi State University purchasing managers in the Office of Procurement and Contracts recently earned the Certified Public Purchasing Officer designation. Jennifer Mayfield and Jay Rester are the university's newest CPPOs, along with Don Buffum, MSU director of the procurement and contracts who also serves as president of NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement.

Writing excellence workshop taking applications
The Maroon & Write QEP Office at Mississippi State will offer the Maroon Institute for Writing Excellence this June. The program is designed to introduce writing-to-learn strategies for use in the classroom. During this three-week interactive workshop, participants will receive guidance in revising syllabi and creating relevant writing assignments.

PCSW accepting 'Outstanding Women' nominations
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2015 Outstanding Women Awards Program, sponsored by the President's Commission on the Status of Women at Mississippi State. These awards recognize women who are advocates for the well-being, development and advancement of all women on the university's campuses and the surrounding communities. MSU faculty, staff and students are invited to nominate campus and community women for the awards.

Black Violin begins 2015 Lyceum Series on Monday
Mississippi State's spring-semester Lyceum Series begins Monday with a hip hop duo of classically trained string musicians who met while playing in their Florida high school orchestra. The university performance by Black Violin begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Bettersworth Auditorium of historic Lee Hall. Lyceum organizers are reminding patrons that the Monday concert initially had been scheduled for the following evening.

Spirit of State nominations, applications wanted
Applications and nominations are now being accepted for the 10th-annual Spirit of State awards. These awards are open to all Mississippi State students from all campuses and recognize excellence in campus involvement; service to the university community; actions that promote the Spirit of State; and overall impact on peers and the broader campus community.

Tobacco Use Attestation Form completion required
Human Resources Management at Mississippi State reminds all benefits-eligible employees that the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration's board voted recently to implement a $50 per month tobacco use surcharge, effective July 2015, for the State and School Employees' Health Insurance Plan. All plan participants are now required to complete a "Tobacco Use Attestation Form."

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, 01/26/15
Women's Basketball is on the road to Auburn for an 8 p.m. tipoff against the Tigers on Monday, and then hosts Vanderbilt at Humphrey Coliseum on Thursday at 7 p.m. before traveling to Knoxville on Sunday for a 2 p.m. game against Tennessee... Men's Basketball travels to Oxford on Wednesday for an 8 p.m. showdown against Ole Miss, and then hosts LSU at 1 p.m. on Saturday... Track & Field competes Friday and Saturday at the New Balance Invitational in New York City... Men's Tennis hosts Rice at 1 p.m. and Alcorn State at 6 p.m. on Friday and Texas Tech at 11 a.m. on Sunday... Women's Tennis hosts UAB at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

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Keenum to represent SEC on CFP board
Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum has been appointed to the College Football Playoff's Board of Managers. "The Southeastern Conference has a long and distinguished history in college football and I look forward to representing the interests of the SEC on this important board," Keenum said.

Shurden attains APR designation
The assistant director for recruiting and events in Mississippi State University's College of Business has achieved a top professional designation. Starkville native Meagan Shurden was recently awarded Accredited in Public Relations (APR) certification by the Universal Accreditation Board.

Critics hailing new novel from Kardos
Though it won't be formally released until early February, a critically acclaimed novel by a faculty member of Mississippi State University's English department is available from local book retailers. "Before He Finds Her" by Michael Kardos is scheduled for release Feb. 3 by Grove Atlantic/Mysterious Press. Already, early copies are available.

Equine specialist Cavinder joins MSU Extension
Mississippi’s horse owners and riding enthusiasts have a new resource to assist them with issues related to pleasure and competitive equine activities. Clay Cavinder, an associate professor in the Mississippi State University Department of Animal and Dairy Science, is the new Extension horse specialist. Before joining MSU on Jan. 1, he was on faculty at Texas A&M, where he earned his doctorate in 2006.