Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Celebrating the groundbreaking for MSU's new residence halls and veteran's facility last Friday were, from left, Benjamin Tarver of Yates Construction; Justin Harrington of The McCarty Company; Tim Muzzi, MSU interim director for planning, design and construction administration; Kenneth McRae, director of the G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Center for America's Veterans; Terri and Tommy Nusz, MSU alumni and project supporters; MSU President Mark E. Keenum; Jerry Gilbert, provost and executive vice president; JoJo Dodd, Student Association president; Ann Bailey, interim assistant vice president for student affairs; Talla Cisse, Residence Hall Association president; Cadet Michael Lukens, Student Veteran Association president; Fred Mock, interim director for student housing; and Bill Broyles, interim vice president for student affairs. PHOTO: Russ Houston | Public Affairs

MSU breaks ground for vets' center, residence halls
Mississippi State officials and university friends gathered last week to formally break ground for two new residence halls and a premier veterans' facility slated for completion next year. The facility for the Center for America's Veterans will include 7,500 square-feet and feature administrative offices, a meeting area and student-support spaces. The new residence halls will total 245,000 square-feet and each has 376 beds.

Waggoner Engineering adds support for complex
As construction plans are being finalized for the new Civil and Environmental Engineering Complex at Mississippi State, a Jackson engineering firm is providing $100,000 for the project. Founded in 1976, Waggoner Engineering Inc. offers innovative infrastructure solutions and leading-edge digital mapping technologies from offices in Mississippi and Louisiana.

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.

Summer volunteer opportunities with local children
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 summer camps, food pantries, Habitat for Humanity, and more. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to make a difference by volunteering this summer.

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, 05/11/15
Track & Field hosts the SEC Championships Thursday through Saturday at the Mike Sanders Track and Field Complex... Baseball visits Knoxville for the final regular-season SEC series against Tennessee with games on Thursday at 5 p.m., Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at noon.

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Major NSF early-career honor goes to Berg
The National Science Foundation is awarding a Mississippi State faculty member its prestigious Faculty Early Career Development Program Award. Matthew Berg, an assistant professor of physics, is receiving a five-year grant that will enable the acquisition of additional equipment for Berg and his research team of graduate students to continue and expand their ongoing investigations.

Messac elected to A.I.A.A. board of directors
Achille Messac, a professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Mississippi State University, has been elected to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics board of directors. He is one of two academics elected by the A.I.A.A.'s international membership to serve on the board of the world's largest aerospace professional society.

Policy addresses employee political activity
With local and statewide political campaigning underway this year, as well as a special election in the First Congressional District, 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.