Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

H.E. Bakhtiyar Gulyamov, left, speaks during a meeting with Bill Herndon, associate vice president of the MSU Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, last week. Gulyamov is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United States. Herndon said all colleges and services in the division believe that high quality research and education is global in scope. PHOTO: Kat Lawrence | MSU Ag Communications

Gootee, Lippillo photos selected for exhibition
Photographic creations by two art department faculty members at Mississippi State are part of an exhibition through June 24 at Laurel's Lauren Rogers Museum of Art. One piece by university professor Marita Gootee and two by assistant professor Dominic Lippillo are among 60 works selected for the 2015 Mississippi Collegiate Art Faculty Juried Exhibition.

Infinite Impact campaign exceeds $500 million
Campaign counting for Mississippi State's Infinite Impact has surged past the $500 million milestone, tallying $503.1 million as it continues to climb, placing the overall goal of $600 million well within reach. "Infinite Impact is already by far the most successful campaign in our institution's history," said John P. Rush, vice president for development and alumni who serves as MSU Foundation CEO.

CVM receives notice of re-accreditation
Mississippi State's College of Veterinary Medicine continues to hold accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education. "I'm extremely proud of the job that Dean Kent Hoblet, his talented staff and our wonderful students at MSU-CVM are doing that led to this milestone," said MSU President Mark E. Keenum.

Suicide prevention training offered Tuesday
The Work Life Balance Committee at Mississippi State is partnering with Staff Council and the Mississippi Coalition of Partners in Prevention for two QPR suicide prevention workshops for faculty and staff on Tuesday. QPR stands for question, persuade and refer -- three simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide.

Be a part of #HailStateDays this week
Join the Bulldog family in its second online philanthropy event at Mississippi State -- #HailStateDays. The university's goal is to raise 1,001 donations from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends over the 48-hour period on Monday and Tuesday.

Nominations wanted for LEAP program
The 2015 Leadership Excellence for Accomplished Professionals program at Mississippi State is now accepting applications. The goal and purpose of LEAP is to empower new supervisors and extremely high performing professional staff with a heightened self-awareness, advanced knowledge, and value-added leadership in a secure, but challenging environment.

Applications sought for Faculty Leadership Program
The Office of Research and Economic and Development and the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President will lead Mississippi State's Faculty Leadership Program in the upcoming 2015-2016 academic year, and applications are now being accepted for it.

Apply today for MSU College Corps
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 Undergraduate Research Symposium, Starkville Church of God Food Pantry, Bully’s Autism Spectrum 5K, The Dog Jog, Volunteer Starkville’s Touch A Truck, and more. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to make a difference by volunteering this spring.

Policy addresses employee political activity
With local and statewide political campaigning underway this year, Mississippi State's Office of General Counsel reminds employees to be aware of the university's policy on political activities. There are several basic guidelines that university employees should keep in mind when engaging in any form of political activity.

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, 04/20/15
Softball hosts Memphis at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, and then is on the road Saturday for a 3 p.m game against Georgia Southern and on Sunday at noon... Track & Field competes Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Penn Relays and at the Southern Miss Invite on Saturday... Men's Golf plays Delta State in Cleveland on Friday... Baseball is on the road to Fayetteville for a weekend series against Arkansas with games on Friday at 6:35 p.m., Saturday at 6:05 p.m. and Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

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.

CFR receives statewide conservation award
A college at Mississippi State has been designated the 2014 Conservationist of the Year by the Mississippi Wildlife Federation. "We are very proud that the College of Forest Resources, in partnership with the Mississippi Wildlife Federation and others around the state, has had and continues to have a profound impact in conserving and sustaining our natural resources," MSU President Mark E. Keenum said.

International society names Hamilton a fellow
A senior administrator at Mississippi's flagship research university has received a top honor from an international professional society. The Society for Modeling & Simulation has named John A. "Drew" Hamilton Jr. a fellow. In addition to his leadership role as associate VP for research at MSU, the professor of computer science and engineering is an active scholar and researcher.

Funderburk's collection garners major recognition
Five works by a veteran Mississippi State artist and faculty member are receiving major recognition. All part of university professor Brent Funderburk's "New Solar Myths" collection, they are featured images in the spring issue of Creative Quarterly: The Journal of Art and Design.

Rutherford new Extension Service beef specialist
Cobie Rutherford, the new beef cattle associate with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plans to deliver educational programs to producers and students across the state. “Youth programs like 4-H lay a strong foundation for future cattle producers,” he said. “We want to help producers raise healthy cattle with the best management practices.”