Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Valeriy Chaly (center) toured MSU's Raspet Flight Research Laboratory last week with systems engineer Rodney Lincoln (right) and MSU International Institute Executive Director Richard Nader. Chaly's visit to Mississippi included tours of MSU high-technology research facilities, a public lecture, and meetings with top state officials in Jackson. PHOTO: Beth Wynn | Public Affairs

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Catherine Hepner
Having the opportunity to become more involved in her community is what sparked Catherine Hepner’s interest in working for the MSU Extension Service. As an office associate for Newton County Extension, Catherine concentrates on community outreach through newsletters, social media and press releases. She also initiated a weekly agent column in a local newspaper.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Judias Neal
Working with people has always been Judias Neal’s favorite task in his job with the Department of Poultry Science at Mississippi State. “When I get up in the morning, I’m excited about going to work,” Judias said. “My supervisor and coworkers really make my job enjoyable. That’s key -- having a good working relationship with other employees.”

Gill kicks off Riley Center 10th-anniversary season
Vince Gill, one of the most popular singers in country music and one of the nicest guys in show business, will kick off the MSU Riley Center’s 10th-anniversary season with a 7:30 p.m. concert on Thursday. The show will launch the 2016-17 Fall/Winter Performing Arts Series at the historic venue in downtown Meridian.

Human-Animal Bond Lecture Series at CVM Thursday
The Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine will host guest speaker Dr. Kurt Venator -- Nestle Purina’s veterinary director -- Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Wise Center in Starkville as part of the college’s Human-Animal Bond Lecture Series. Venator’s presentation, “Pets and People: Better Together” will highlight specific ways the human-animal bond improves lives and well-being.

PERS leader coming to campus next month
The director of the Mississippi Public Employees’ Retirement System will speak Sept. 29 at Mississippi State. Pat Robertson, a university alumna, is visiting campus as a guest of the Association of Retired Faculty. Open to all, her presentation will begin at 2 p.m. in the Parker/North Ballroom of the Hunter Henry Alumni Center.

Kick off fall with the Maroon Volunteer Center
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 Mississippi flood relief, First Responders Appreciation Day, Food Recovery Network, Montgomery Leadership Program, Linking Internationals in the Community, and more.

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.

Clear bag policy in place for Davis Wade Stadium
In an effort to enhance fan safety, Mississippi State will implement a new clear bag policy for the 2016 football season at Davis Wade Stadium. The policy, which takes effect for the Sept. 3 season-opener against South Alabama, is consistent with the NFL's current model and being adopted by most Southeastern Conference schools this season, including Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Texas A&M, Tennessee and South Carolina.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 09/05/16
Volleyball travels to Manhattan, Kansas, to play Kansas State at noon and Loyola-Chicago at 5 p.m. on Friday and Miami at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday... Soccer hosts Arkansas on Friday at 7 p.m. and UL-Lafayette at 1 p.m. on Sunday... Football hosts South Carolina at Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday at 6 p.m. ...

The Office of Public Affairs provides Maroon MEMO as a general information
resource for Mississippi State University employees.

Web links are subject to change. Submit news, questions or comments to Jim Laird.

Forbes to expand diversity efforts in new roles
A Mississippi State staff member with a longstanding commitment of fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community has been named her alma mater’s Interim Assistant Vice President of Multicultural Affairs. Ra’Sheda Forbes, who has served the past two years as the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center’s associate director, also is now its permanent leader.

Coble named head of agricultural economics
A national and international expert on agricultural risk management and crop insurance has been named head of Mississippi State’s Department of Agricultural Economics. Keith Coble, a longtime faculty member in the department, has assumed the role as head after serving as interim head for the last eight months.

Stone new dairy specialist
Mississippi dairy farmers have a new specialist to advise them on best management practices and solutions to problems. Amanda Stone began work on Aug. 16 with the Mississippi State University Extension Service as assistant Extension professor in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences. Stone’s responsibilities will be 80 percent Extension and 20 percent teaching. She will work directly with Extension agents, dairy producers and MSU students.

Marszalek recognized for collection of Grant’s writings
A recently published book by John Marszalek, Mississippi State University Giles distinguished professor of history emeritus and executive director of the Ulysses S. Grant Association and Library, is among six books recognized by the Army Historical Foundation for excellence in writing on U.S. Army history.