Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Wes Burger, left, the 2016 Ralph E. Powe Research Excellence Award honoree, is congratulated by MSU President Mark E. Keenum. Burger is associate director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, associate director of the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Dale Arner Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology, and Grisham Master Teacher in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture at Mississippi State. PHOTO: Russ Houston | Public Affairs

Researchers honored for preschool learning project
Mississippi State researchers are being recognized for efforts to tackle childhood obesity through a new comprehensive prevention program. The project recently placed second in the Southeastern Early Childhood Association’s Exemplary Outdoor Classroom Contest and was entered in a category titled “Creating an Outdoor Classroom on a Shoestring Budget.”

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Leo Jenkins
Leo Jenkins is involved in data collection, maintaining fields, assisting co-workers and other researchers whenever possible. He oversees hourly employees, and works primarily on the Delta Research and Extension Center’s Stoneville campus. Jenkins chose this career because he loves farming.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Tiffany Valentine
Helping people has been a natural instinct for Tiffany Valentine since she was a little girl. Valentine is the oldest of eight children, which prepared her for her career. She is a program specialist for the Early Years Network, a program of the Mississippi State University Extension Service and part of the School of Human Sciences.

Aerospace firm lands in Research Park
From homeland security, to maritime search and rescue, to precision agriculture, to environmental monitoring, UAS have the potential to revolutionize business and operations on land and at sea. Which is why officials from Insitu, Mississippi State University and Mississippi Development Authority gathered last week to announce that Insitu has opened a new facility at MSU's Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park.

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 2016-2017 academic year, and applications are now being accepted for it.

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, privacy and more.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 05/09/16
Softball hosts the 2016 SEC Tournament at Nusz Park beginning Wednesday... Baseball is on the road Wednesday for a 6 p.m. game with Troy, and then visits Auburn for an SEC weekend series with games on Friday at 6 p.m., on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., and on Sunday at 1 p.m.

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Gordon to lead planned giving office
A Mississippi State alumnus and Starkville resident will lead the university’s efforts to secure private gifts through charitable estate planning. Wes Gordon, originally of Columbus, began his new role last week as the MSU Foundation’s new director of planned giving. “Wes brings an outstanding level of experience in fundraising and a strong work ethic to this critically important position of planned giving director,” said Jack McCarty, executive director of development for the MSU Foundation.

McDavid garners academic advising recognition
A 28-year communication department faculty member at Mississippi State is being recognized with a regional student advising award. University instructor Frances O. McDavid’s selection by the National Academic Advising Association was based on “significant contributions to the improvement of academic advising.” She accepted the award at the association’s recent Southeast Region 4 conference in Orlando.

Abadie's new book promotes healthier living
“Transform Your Life: Using Natural Instincts to Achieve Health and Happiness” is the title of a new book by Ben R. Abadie of Mississippi State’s kinesiology department. Positive lifestyle choices are critical, he emphasized, “because if you don’t have health and happiness, you don’t have anything.”

Mullen, McCrary earn $35K for charity
Mississippi State head football coach Dan Mullen and former Bulldog Fred McCrary shot 7-under par to earn $35,000 toward scholarships and charity at the annual Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Challenge at the Reynolds Lake Oconee Resort outside Atlanta last week. Mullen was representing the Mullen Family 36 Foundation.