Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mission Mississippi president Neddie Winters was presented an engraved MSU cowbell by MSU President Mark E. Keenum after Winters served as the keynote speaker at Mississippi State’s 22nd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Unity Breakfast at The Mill at MSU Conference Center last week. PHOTO: Leilani Salter | Office of the President

Mago appointed to TVA public advisory council
The Bagley College of Engineering at Mississippi State is now represented on a national energy corporation’s public advisory council. Pedro Mago, head of the university’s Mechanical Engineering Department, has been appointed to serve a two-year term on Tennessee Valley Authority’s Regional Energy Resource Council. Beginning this month, Mago will join the 20-member council in facilitating discussions between TVA and its consumers.

MSU Riley Center announces spring/summer series
A farewell to an icon, a hello to some energetic newcomers and lots of heartwarming rock ’n’ roll memories will highlight the 2016 spring/summer series at the MSU Riley Center in historic downtown Meridian. The center's restored Victorian theater will also host the world’s best dancers, one of the most powerful voices in country music, and the returns of both an intimate songwriters showcase and a beloved children’s character.

Nominations wanted for Powe, research awards
The nomination period is now open for Mississippi State University's 2016 Research Awards and the Ralph E. Powe Research Excellence Award. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to submit nominations for this year's program. Recipients will be honored during a special luncheon at the Hunter Henry Center on April 28.

Spirit of State nominations, applications wanted
Applications and nominations are now being accepted for the 11th-annual Spirit of State awards. These awards are open to all Mississippi State students from all campuses and recognize excellence in campus involvement; service to the university community; actions that promote the Spirit of State; and overall impact on peers and the broader campus community.

It's a new year: Why not volunteer?
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 an 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.

University names softball facility Nusz Park
Mississippi State announced last Friday its new $6 million softball facility will carry the name of alumni couple Tommy and Terri Nusz of Houston, Texas, and be known as Nusz Park. The Nusz’ lead gift for the softball facility is part of a significant contribution from them for Infinite Impact: The Mississippi State University Campaign. The campaign gift continues their longtime support of the land-grant institution and will benefit athletics, academics and other areas.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 01/25/16
Men's Basketball is on the road Tuesday for a 6 p.m. tipoff against South Carolina, and then visits Missouri for a game on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ... Women's Basketball hosts Tennessee at 8 p.m. on Thursday, and then visits Fayetteville on Sunday for a 2 p.m. tipoff against Arkansas... Track & Field competes Friday and Saturday at the Commodore Invitational in Nashville... Men's Tennis hosts UNC Wilmington on Saturday at 1 p.m., and then George Washington at 11 a.m. and Alcorn State at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

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Keenum to keynote Boy Scout recognition dinner
Mark E. Keenum, president of Mississippi State University, will be the keynote speaker for the upcoming Boy Scouts of America Pushmataha Area Council recognition dinner. Set for Feb. 6 at The Mill at MSU Conference Center, the event will spotlight 2015 Eagle Class honoree Tom Morgan of Starkville. Keenum said of his selection to address the local scouting community, "I salute the work of this great organization in helping prepare young men to be the leaders of tomorrow."

MSU-Meridian to hold reception for Cruse
Terry Dale Cruse, the new administrative director and head of campus at Mississippi State University-Meridian, will be welcomed during a reception on Feb. 4. Open to all, the 2-3 p.m. event will be held in the grand lobby of the MSU Riley Center, 2200 Fifth St., downtown Meridian. The native Mississippian joins MSU-Meridian after serving two years as vice president for enrollment services at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas.

Buys, Sansing appointed to state boards
Two Mississippi State University Extension Service health educators recently took positions on state health boards. David Buys, Extension health specialist and a researcher with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, accepted an appointment to the board of the Mississippi Public Health Association. Ann Sansing, Extension community health coordinator and a senior Extension associate in the Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion, was elected to the board of the Mississippi Rural Health Association.

Neal to lead Olympic sports strength, conditioning
Mississippi State baseball head strength coach Brian Neal was promoted to head of MSU Olympic sports strength and conditioning, Director of Athletics Scott Stricklin announced last Thursday. In addition to his baseball duties, Neal will now oversee all strength and conditioning training based out of the Holliman and Shira Center. “I am humbled and excited about being promoted as the new head of Olympic sports strength & conditioning,” Neal said. “My staff and I will continue to push forward with our relentless goal of training and producing championship-level athletes who perform consistently at an elite level.”