Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Douglas Dumas, an MSU facilities management staff member, smooths new concrete near Colvard Student Union last week. PHOTO: Robert Lewis | Public Affairs

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: John Linhoss
John Linhoss has spent his career using science to make life better. After getting his master’s degree in interdisciplinary ecology, John worked as an Extension agent for the University of Florida/IFAS Marion County Extension Service in Marion County, Florida. Even though he loved his job, he always wanted to work at a university. So when he got the chance to work at Mississippi State, he didn’t hesitate.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Mohammed 'Mo' Rahim
Mohammed “Mo” Rahim is the guy everyone in the Forest and Wildlife Research Center and College of Forest Resources turns to when they have technology problems. As the network analyst for both units, Mo manages day-to-day operations related to support issues, system log files, server verification, database performance and backups of file server data. He loves working with computers and technology, so working at MSU is a perfect fit.

S.M.A.R.T. system opens route to regional airport
A new route for the Starkville-MSU Area Rapid Transit system aims to connect the local public with global destinations. S.M.A.R.T. opened its new route to the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Lowndes County with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week. “We are truly blessed to have such a great airport here,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said. “And we’re getting a lot of ridership for this free [S.M.A.R.T.] service. This just shows that through working together with great partners, you can accomplish great things.”

NSPARC researchers present at Reno conference
A team of Mississippi State researchers presented research at the Association for Science Teacher Education international meeting in Reno, Nev., last week. The four presentations included studies produced by National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center (NSPARC), an MSU interdisciplinary research center that uses smart data, analytical techniques and advanced technology to develop innovative solutions.

University researchers fight poultry pathogens
Scientists at Mississippi State University are working to rid poultry products of bacteria that can cause foodborne illness before they leave the processing plant. Foodborne illness is a serious concern among producers, processors and consumers. Each year, a million people in the U.S. contract foodborne illnesses from Campylobacter jejuni, or C. jejuni, common bacteria found in healthy poultry and cattle.

Resolve to volunteer in the new year
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 the MLK Jr. Day of Service, alternative spring break trip to the Delta, spring Habitat for Humanity shifts, and more. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to make a difference by resolving to volunteer in the new year.

Proposal development assistance from SPA
Sponsored Programs Administration and the Office of Research and Economic Development at Mississippi State University are committed to helping faculty find the resources needed to support research endeavors. Recognizing that not all faculty members have departmental support for proposal development, SPA is working to provide this support as needed.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 01/11/16
Men's Basketball visits Lexington on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. tipoff against Kentucky, and then hosts Tennessee on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ... Women's Basketball travels to Columbia on Thursday for a 7 p.m. game against Missouri... Men's Tennis starts play Friday at the Three Oaks Shootout in Fort Myers, Fla. ... Track & Field competes Friday and Saturday at the Vanderbilt Invitational in Nashville... Women's Tennis hosts Alcorn State on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.

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Staggers joins MSU Foundation development team
William “Will” Staggers is the new assistant director of development for the Mississippi State University Extension Service and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “We are proud to welcome Will to our fundraising team and believe that his proven leadership and dedication to customer service will be beneficial to his involvement with alumni and philanthropy on behalf of the university,” said Jack McCarty, executive director of development for the MSU Foundation.

Lance to lead major bandmaster group
Mississippi State’s veteran director of bands is the new president-elect of the prestigious Phi Beta Mu international bandmasters fraternity. Elva Kaye Lance, an alumna now in her 24th year at the land-grant university, is the eighth director of the 113-year-old Famous Maroon Band. Lance was MSU associate bands director for a number of years before being named to the top position in 2002.

Pechanova joins IGBB's 'Big Three'
The Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing and Biotechnology (IGBB) at Mississippi State recently welcomed Olga Pechanova as its principal proteomics research associate. "Olga brings outstanding scientific credentials and a wealth of practical knowledge to the IGBB," Director Daniel Peterson said. "Additionally, her work with the State Chem Lab has given her considerable experience in service and customer relations."

Savage promoted to football head strength coach
Nick Savage, who served as Mississippi State football’s assistant strength coach the past two seasons, has been named head strength coach for the Bulldogs, head coach Dan Mullen announced last week. “You live for opportunities like this, and I am thrilled to continue to be a part of the special program we have here at Mississippi State,” said Savage. “We want to continue to raise the standard in everything we do. Our preparation for the 2016 season begins now. We will give relentless effort when we step into the building.”