Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

A view from the second floor of the future offices for Mississippi State's National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center (nSPARC) shows construction progress at The Mill at MSU, where a conference center, hotel and parking garage soon will be complete. PHOTO: Russ Houston | Public Affairs

Parish to lead national beef organization
A Mississippi State University professor is the new executive director of the Beef Improvement Federation. Jane Parish, an Extension and research professor in the university’s North Mississippi Research and Extension Center, will lead the organization, which works to connect science and industry to improve beef cattle genetics.

Maroon Institute announces 2015 graduates
Fourteen Mississippi State faculty members are new graduates of the university's Maroon Institute for Writing Excellence program. Now in its third year, the three-week intensive institute recently trained teachers from a dozen university departments to modify course syllabi to incorporate more writing-to-learn strategies into class assignments.

Dairy processing plant gets upgrade
Recent upgrades to the Custer Dairy Processing Plant at Mississippi State University are helping ensure the next generation of Bulldogs can enjoy the same quality which MSU cheese connoisseurs have come to appreciate and expect. "This is the first time the plant has been down for any length of time since we moved into this facility in December 1970," Julie Wilson, quality control supervisor, said.

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.

Men and Women of Color Summit registration opens
Mississippi State's Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion is encouraging interested members of the campus and surrounding communities to begin registering for the 2015 Men and Women of Color Summit. Now in its fourth year, the summit is designed to engage minority students with faculty, staff, administrators, alumni and others interested in dialogue about critical issues related to academic and professional success.

AmeriCorps VISTA, College Corps positions
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 available positions with AmeriCorps VISTA and MSU College Corps, Delta service trip, Service DAWGS Day, College Ready move-in, and more. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to make a difference by volunteering this summer.

2015-16 Lyceum Series takes stage in September
A Sept. 3 concert by American musician and singer-songwriter ZZ Ward will kick off Mississippi State's 2015-16 Lyceum Series season. Season ticket renewals for those wishing to retain the same seats as last year will take place through June 19, while new season tickets will go on sale June 29-July 17. Season tickets for the general public are $125; for MSU employees and senior citizens, $105.

Holmes Cultural Diversity Center seeks volunteers
The Richard Holmes Cultural Diversity Center at Mississippi State again is seeking host families and individual mentors for its Linking Internationals in the Community program. "The LINC program is an opportunity for families and mentors to share their favorite traditions and customs of American culture, while also learning about the international student's culture," said HCDC program coordinator Rachel Ross.

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.

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.

Mazzola receives BCoE career award
Twenty years of outstanding service has earned career recognition for one Mississippi State professor. Michael S. Mazzola, a professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering, received the 2015 Career Achievement Award, which is presented each year to a Bagley College faculty member who has excelled in teaching, research and service for more than 15 years.

McLaughlin named associate dean for CVM
Dr. Ron McLaughlin has been named the new associate dean for administration of Mississippi State's College of Veterinary Medicine. "Dr. McLaughlin provides exemplary teaching and administration at our college," said Dr. Kent Hoblet, MSU-CVM dean. "Under his leadership, there have been many accomplishments and advances within the clinical sciences department."

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Amy Barefield
Amy Barefield’s love of writing led her to the position that she now holds at the Early Years Network, a program of the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Barefield works to promote the Early Years Network and MSU by writing articles and press releases, among other responsibilities.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Brad Burgess
Brad Burgess discovered what he wanted to do with his life when he began working at the R.R. Foil Plant Science Research Center as a Mississippi State student. Burgess is responsible for conducting official variety trials for the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station on row crops.