Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Graduates of the 2015-2016 Fred Tom Mitchell Faculty Leadership Program were recognized during Mississippi State's annual research awards banquet last month, and congratulated by MSU President Mark E. Keenum (right). They are (l-r) Lakieshia Williams, Bonnie O’Neill, Amanda Clay Powers, Janet Donaldson, Kimberly Hall, Deborah Lee, Shien Lu, Kathleen Sherman-Morris, Dean Jousan, Lisa Wallace, Jack Smith and Joe Wilmoth. PHOTO: Russ Houston | Public Affairs

Construction association honors Leathem
A faculty member in Mississippi State’s building construction science program is receiving a major recognition for helping develop and advance construction education. Assistant professor Thomas M. “Tom” Leathem is the Associated Schools of Construction’s 2016 selection for the Excellence in Teaching Award. Building construction science is a major academic offering of MSU’s College of Architecture, Art and Design.

Entrepreneur counselor wins state SBA honors
Mike Pornovets knows a thing or two about getting the job done right. The U.S. Navy veteran who served three tours in Afghanistan and another in Iraq returned home to Gulfport five years ago to start his now thriving retail business Everything Kayak. Also a counselor for Mississippi State’s Veterans Business Outreach Center, Pornovets recently has been honored by the Small Business Administration as Mississippi’s 2016 Small Business Person of the Year.

SMART modifying shuttle routes for summer
Starkville-MSU Area Rapid Transit (SMART) is modifying several routes through Aug. 11. However, the Boardtown North, Boardtown South, Highway 12 Express, Old Main Express, and the Golden Triangle Regional Airport Express will continue to operate as usual during the summer.

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.

MVC honors 2016 volunteers
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, and also offers a recap of this year's volunteer award winners.

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, 05/16/16
Baseball hosts Arkansas for an SEC series with games on Thursday at 6:30 p.m., Friday at 6:30 p.m., and Saturday at 5 p.m.

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Zacharias Awards honor staff for service
Twelve Mississippi State employees are 2016 selections for Donald W. Zacharias Distinguished Staff Awards. The honors are a memorial to the university’s 15th president. The recognition program is organized by the MSU Staff Council and was a part of the university’s Staff Appreciation Day activities held last Friday in the Junction. MSU President Mark E. Keenum presented each honoree with a plaque and $1,000 check.

Nader joins MSU as international program leader
A veteran Texas higher education administrator is the new associate vice president for international programs at Mississippi State. Richard H. Nader also assumes duties as executive director of the university’s International Institute. With more than two decades of international programming experience, Nader comes to Starkville from the University of North Texas. The appointment is pending formal approval by the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning, and he is set to begin his duties this month.

Thibaudeau named A&S associate dean for research
Having served as interim since 2014, a longtime Mississippi State faculty member and administrator officially is being named associate dean for research in the College of Arts and Sciences. In making the announcement, interim college dean Rick Travis said Giselle Thibaudeau’s permanent duties to begin June 1 will enable the land-grant university’s largest academic unit to maintain administrative stability.

Rowland named interim director of I2AT
A senior research administrator is taking the reins of an advanced technology institute at Mississippi State this summer. Zach Rowland has been named interim director of the Institute for Imaging and Analytical Technologies, also known as I2AT. “I am excited to have the opportunity to build on the foundation of I2AT,” he said. Currently, Rowland serves as deputy director of the university’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems.