Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Sprinklers in front of Allen Hall break the summer heat at Mississippi State. PHOTO: Chase Neal | Public Affairs

Frederic named arts and sciences fundraiser
The MSU Foundation welcomes a new director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences this month. Sara Frederic, a Mississippi State University alumna, will lead fundraising efforts for the college beginning Monday. “We are pleased to welcome Sara as an integral part of our fundraising team,” said Jack McCarty, the MSU Foundation’s executive director of development. “Her valuable experience, coupled with a deep appreciation of Mississippi State, will serve her immensely as she works with constituents on behalf of the university.”

Skarke participates in national research cruise
A faculty member of Mississippi State’s Department of Geosciences has been selected to participate in a University National Oceanographic Laboratory System Chief Scientist Training Cruise Program. Under the guidance of senior scientists in the oceanographic research community, MSU Assistant Professor of Geology Adam D. Skarke is participating in a two-week cruise designed to train early-career scientists to conduct research using the UNOLS fleet of research vessels and submersibles.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Rebecca Bates
Working for the MSU Extension Service as a county agent is the only job Rebecca Bates has ever wanted. “I’m from an MSU family. My father was a professor. I’ve always felt that this job was made for me,” Rebecca said. As a horticulturist, Rebecca fields calls from homeowners, vegetable producers and other Extension agents who need horticulture-related advice.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Katie Bouchillon
Working with people has always been Katie Bouchillon’s favorite part of her job with the MSU Extension Service, although her interactions and audiences have changed over the course of her career. As an Extension Associate with the Office of Nutrition Education, Katie spent several years touring the state with the Body Walk educational exhibit designed to teach elementary school-age children about the human body.

Fellowship program seeks applicants
The Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) is a programmatic partnership between the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) in Washington, DC, the John C. Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development, and the Office of Research and Economic Development at Mississippi State University. The Mississippi State cohort of EPFP will specifically work towards building the capacity of the institution to engage in research and outreach around rural education.

Volunteers needed for Saturday's MVNU2MSU
Move-In Day is a very important day in the life of a first-time freshman. Mississippi State faculty and staff members are invited to join Housing and Residence Life on Saturday to help welcome the incoming class of 2020 to the university. "Please consider partnering with us on this special day to give our students a warm welcome to the Bulldog family," said Avent VanHorn, marketing and communications coordinator for student housing.

Safety paramount for Pokemon Go players
As the mobile game Pokemon Go continues to grow in popularity, Mississippi State University students, employees and visitors are encouraged to use caution when playing the game on and off campus. MSU Dean of Students Thomas Bourgeois said players should remember to use common sense while pursuing Pokemon by avoiding restricted areas and keeping player safety in mind.

Athletics launches new BLITZ on-demand tickets
Football ticket mini plans and a new BLITZ On-Demand package for the 2016-17 Mississippi State athletic year are on sale now at HailState.com/Tickets. The mini-plan costs $99 and includes a ticket to the South Alabama season-opener (Sept. 3) and a ticket to a choice of two of the following three games: South Carolina (Sept. 10), Texas A&M (Nov. 5) and Arkansas (Nov. 19).

Deadline for travel grant applications Aug. 19
The Southeastern Conference Visiting Faculty Travel Grant Program is intended to enhance faculty collaboration that stimulates scholarly initiatives between SEC universities. Mississippi State University can select a maximum of eight faculty members to receive 2016-2017 travel grants of $1,250 each for transportation, room, board, etc., to use for travel to another SEC campus. Assistant, associate and full professors are eligible.

Kick off fall with new volunteer opportunities
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 Service DAWGS Day, Maroon Edition Habitat for Humanity, MVNU2MSU, Starkville Community Market, and more.

Institutional Repository now accepting submissions
The new MSU Institutional Repository is now online and accepting submissions. The repository -- available at http://ir.library.msstate.edu -- is a central digital archive for collecting, organizing, preserving, and sharing Mississippi State's history, intellectual and scholarly creations, and research data.

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.

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.

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Campus capital improvements move forward
With the 2016 fall semester at Mississippi State University fast approaching, progress continues on many capital improvement projects at the Starkville campus. “We are working with our partners at IHL, the state Department of Finance and Administration Bureau of Buildings, and the Legislature to ensure that new construction, maintenance and renovation on campus will meet the needs of our students, faculty and staff while being good stewards of public resources,” Vice President for Campus Services Amy Tuck said.

University implements new smoke-free policy
With Mississippi State officially becoming a smoke-free campus Monday, administrators are encouraging education and cooperation as the campus community adjusts to a new smoking and tobacco use policy. MSU Dean of Students Thomas Bourgeois, who chairs the committee leading the smoke-free initiative, said he understands the policy will be an adjustment for students and staff who have been able to smoke on campus, but a smoke-free campus soon will become part of the culture.

Smith promoted to associate veterinary dean
A Mississippi State alumnus is the new associate dean for academic affairs at the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Jack D. Smith, a board-certified theriogenologist, joined the CVM faculty in 2002 as a theriogenology resident and became an assistant professor two years later. In 2010, he was named director of clinical education. “Dr. Smith provides exemplary teaching, student success assessment and administration at our college,” said Dr. Kent Hoblet, college dean.

Wright named director of international services
Mississippi State alumna Lauren Wright is the MSU International Institute’s new director of the International Services Office. The International Services Office advises students, research scholars, visiting professors, and Mississippi State faculty and administrators about rules and regulations regarding immigration and the maintenance of a person’s non-immigrant status.