Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

National award-winning poet Terrance Hayes, right, visited Mississippi State last week as the writer-in-residence with the College of Arts and Sciences' Institute for the Humanities. The University of Pittsburgh English professor read from his poetry before signing books and chatting with a long line of fans, including MSU creative writing associate professor Becky Hagenston, left, Tuesday evening. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs

Mississippi State again among research top 100
A new report from the National Science Foundation affirms Mississippi State as the Magnolia State's flagship research university. MSU research accounts for nearly half the total $416 million expenditures reported by all Mississippi institutions, according to the NSF Higher Education Research and Development Survey.

MSU-Meridian celebrates naming of Deen Building
Mississippi State University honored a longtime philanthropist last Thursday whose work as president and chairman of the Meridian-based Riley Foundation has greatly impacted education and opportunity in the region. The ceremony formally designated the Newberry Building at the MSU-Meridian Riley Campus as the Robert B. Deen Jr. Building.

University to feature prestigious collection
At places like Walt Disney World and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, more than four million people have viewed The Kinsey Collection's artifacts, manuscripts, books and art documenting African American history. Soon, the collection, comprising one of the largest private collections of African American pieces in the world, will make its first visit to the Magnolia State at Mississippi State University.

MVC meets Memphis with service learning trip
The Maroon Volunteer Center at Mississippi State details a number of volunteer opportunities for the campus community on its website and in its newsletter this week, including details about MSU Meets Memphis, alternative spring break in the Delta, Bulldogs on the Move, Emerson's Fresh Start program, and more. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to make a difference by volunteering this spring.

HRM to host search committee workshop
Human Resources Management at Mississippi State will host a "Successful Search Committees Guaranteed" workshop with noted HR practitioner Chris Lee of SearchCommittees.com on Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Colvard Student Union's Fowlkes Auditorium. MSU academic and non-academic administrators, faculty and staff who have served or plan to serve on a search committee are invited to attend this free session.

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.

Nominations wanted for Powe, research awards
The nomination period is open for Mississippi State University's 2015 Research Awards and the Ralph E. Powe Research Excellence Award. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to submit nominations for this year's program. Recipients will be honored during a special luncheon at the Hunter Henry Center on April 30.

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.

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.

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, 02/16/15
Baseball hosts Mississippi Valley State at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Marshall at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Alabama A&M at 2 p.m. and Marshall at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, and Alabama A&M at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday... Women's Tennis hosts Samford on Thursday at 3 p.m. and Middle Tennessee at 10 a.m. and Alcorn State at 2 p.m. on Saturday... Softball hosts Southeastern Louisiana at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, and Penn State at noon and 2 p.m. on Saturday and on Sunday at 1 p.m.... Men's Basketball hosts Ole Miss at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Arkansas on Saturday at 3 p.m.... Track & Field competes Friday and Saturday at the Meyo Invite in South Bend, Ind.... Men's Tennis plays at the Blue Gray National Tennis Classic in Montgomery, Ala., Friday-Sunday... Women's Golf opens play Sunday in the Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate in New Orleans... Women's Basketball visits Tuscaloosa for a 2 p.m. tipoff against Alabama on Sunday.

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National organization honors Shaw for service
A national organization is honoring Mississippi State’s chief research officer for his work addressing one of agriculture’s greatest global challenges. At its annual conference last week, the Weed Science Society of America presented David Shaw, the university’s vice president for research and economic development, with its 2015 Public Service Award.

Bachman elected industry president
Gary Bachman, host of the multimedia series Southern Gardening, began a one-year term as president of the Southern Region of the American Society for Horticultural Science on Feb. 1. “Gary is a tremendous asset to Mississippi State University,” said Patricia Knight, head of the MSU Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi, where Bachman is based.

Bostic's work part of major Illinois exhibition
Paintings by a Mississippi State art department faculty member are among a special group on display through Feb. 22 at a national juried exhibition in Illinois. Part of the Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition, two works by associate professor Alexander Bostic are featured at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.

Mitchell joins OTM as licensing associate
Mississippi State alumnus Jim Mitchell is the newest licensing associate in the university's Office of Technology Management, which is the campus unit charged with efficiently capturing, protecting, managing and accelerating the commercialization of university-owned and -generated intellectual property.