Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

The fall semester at Mississippi State moves closer to completion this week with final exams ending on Thursday. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs

Extension adds positions to guide education efforts
The Mississippi State University Extension Service aims to improve the economic and social well-being of the state with the addition of four new regional coordinators. “I want MSU Extension to be both influential in our clients’ lives and efficient at helping them. To do that effectively, we needed someone to help guide staff and manage the organization’s resources in each region,” said Extension Director Gary Jackson.

New building rotunda to honor Wolverton
An accomplished professor and lifelong educator whose career spans more than six decades will be honored by Mississippi State with the naming of a select area in one of the university’s newest and largest buildings. Robert E. “Bob” Wolverton Sr., former vice president for academic affairs and longtime professor of classics, will see his name etched into the rotunda of MSU’s new classroom building, a 150,000 square foot structure currently under construction in the heart of the 137-year-old campus.

University sets fundraising record
For the second consecutive year, Mississippi State has topped the $100 million mark in fundraising, with Fiscal Year 2015 resulting in the highest single year giving total in the 137-year-old university’s history. More than $109.6 million was contributed to MSU during FY 15, an increase of over $3 million from FY 14.

Patterson to deliver commencement address
As an international best-selling author, James Patterson is a man of words. During Mississippi State’s Friday fall graduation program, the award-winning writer whose fictional novels have sold more than 300 million copies will share a few more of them as the university’s commencement speaker.

'Tis the season: Volunteer today
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 a guide to all of the ways to volunteer during the holidays. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to make a difference by volunteering during this special time of year.

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, 12/07/15
Men's Basketball is on the road to Kansas City for a game against the University of Missouri-Kansas City on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. ... Women's Basketball plays Louisiana Tech at 3 p.m. on Sunday in Ruston.

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Cruse named MSU-Meridian administrative director and head of campus
A Texas university administrator with an extensive background in enrollment services is the new administrative director and head of campus at Mississippi State University-Meridian. With an 11-year professional background in such areas as student recruitment, admissions and financial aid, Terry Dale Cruse has spent the past two years as vice president for enrollment services at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas.

West recognized for design education leadership
A 17-year faculty veteran leading Mississippi State’s College of Architecture, Art and Design is among a select group being recognized by a national design think tank. Dean James L. West is included in the DesignIntelligence 25 Most Admired Educators for 2016. Of the 2016 DesignIntelligence honorees, West is one of four from Southeastern Conference institutions of higher learning.

Sobaskie tapped by Irish music society
A Mississippi State music department faculty member is a new international representative to Ireland’s Society of Musicology. Associate professor James W. Sobaskie recently was invited to serve on the organization’s grants committee. In the university department, he coordinates the music theory emphasis area.

Turner receiving national athletic-academic honor
A Mississippi State administrator is receiving national recognition for his role as the university’s faculty athletic academic counselor. Professor Steven C. Turner, head of the university’s agricultural economics department, is among 12 recently named a 2015 Faculty Athletics Representative Honoree by the National Football Foundation, in partnership with Fidelity Investments. The annual recognition acknowledges the critical role of faculty in supporting the interests of student-athletes.