Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

On Tuesday, Mississippi State's Department of Music will present its 10th annual poetry and song collaboration program. Faculty and students will take part in the 7:30 p.m. performance, which will be held in the Robert and Freda Harrison Auditorium of the university’s Giles Architecture Building.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Thomas McParland
For College of Veterinary Medicine equine surgical intern Dr. Thomas McParland, being more than 4,000 miles from home offers both challenges and opportunities. A graduate of the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London, Thomas was chosen to intern at Mississippi State through the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program. “I really wanted to try something new,” Thomas said. “I saw this opportunity as a way to experience a different culture, while continuing to learn my trade.”

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Ann Twiner
Sunflower County Coordinator Ann Twiner oversees a variety of programs for the MSU Extension Service. Her main responsibilities are with 4-H, community resource development, and family and consumer sciences. However, she monitors other programs and events when needed. Some of her involvement includes helping with canning workshops, aiding educational meetings for a diabetic support group, and teaching sewing and ServSafe classes.

Alumni Association introduces Legacy Program for young Bulldogs
The Mississippi State University Alumni Association is launching its newest initiative, the Legacy Program, which allows university alumni the chance to foster the MSU spirit in their children and grandchildren. “From an early age, children who are a part of the Legacy Program will learn what makes Mississippi State University special, just as their parents or grandparents did before them,” said Jeff Davis, executive director for the MSU Alumni Association.

Nominations wanted for Powe, research awards
The nomination period is now open for Mississippi State University's 2017 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 27 at 11:30 a.m. The awards program is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development and the Office of the Vice President for Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine.

Nominations sought for 2017 MSU Diversity Awards
The President's Commission on the Status of Minorities at Mississippi State is accepting nominations for the 2017 MSU Diversity Awards. The annual awards program is designed to recognize individuals and teams of individuals who have demonstrated a significant commitment to enhancing diversity at the university. Nomination packets are due no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 17.

PCSW now accepting nominations for annual awards
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2017 PCSW Awards Program, sponsored by the President's Commission on the Status of Women at Mississippi State. These awards recognize individuals both on and off campus with notable achievements in promoting the status of women, and who are advocates for the well-being, development and advancement of all women of MSU's campuses and surrounding communities. All nominations are due by Feb. 24 at noon.

Registration open for SEC Academic Conference
Registration is open for the 2017 SEC Academic Conference to be hosted by Mississippi State University March 27-28. The new academic event focused on SEC university research collaboration will examine “The Future of Water: Regional Collaboration on Shared Climate, Coastlines, and Watersheds.” For complete conference details, visit www.secconference.msstate.edu.

New opportunities with 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 the West Point Animal Shelter, Project CLASS, Columbus Boys & Girls Club, Habitat ReSale Store, reading tutors, and more.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 02/06/17
Men's Basketball is on the road Tuesday for an 8 p.m. tipoff against Auburn, and then hosts South Carolina on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Hump ... Women's Basketball hosts Vanderbilt at 8 p.m. on Thursday, and then travels to Oxford on Sunday for a 3 p.m. game against Ole Miss ... Men's Tennis visits Miami for a match on Friday at 1 p.m., and then plays South Florida at noon on Sunday ... Softball hosts Georgia State at 3 p.m. and Stephen F. Austin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday to open the Bulldog Kickoff. Other games will follow throughout the weekend ... Women's Tennis hosts Louisiana-Lafayette on Friday at 11 a.m. ... Track & Field competes Friday and Saturday at the Vanderbilt Invitational.

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Seal to lead Center for Distance Education
Susan Seal has been named executive director of Mississippi State University’s Center for Distance Education. “Susan demonstrated during the time that she served as interim executive director that she is an effective leader and has the human relations skills to work with our faculty, department heads and deans to ensure that we are seizing every opportunity to take our academic programs, where appropriate, to Mississippi residents and individuals around the world,” MSU Provost and Executive Vice President Judy Bonner said.

Galaty named director of Cobb Institute of Archaeology
A Mississippi State University professor and department head is the new director of the Cobb Institute of Archaeology after serving as interim director for the past two years. Michael Galaty will lead the institute founded in 1971 that serves as a research and service unit of MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences and supports innovative archaeological research around the world. David Shaw, MSU vice president for research and economic development, spoke highly of the institute’s impact and of Galaty’s ability to lead it.

Food marketing, distribution group honors Walters
An agricultural economist at Mississippi State is receiving a major recognition from the Food Distribution Research Society. Lurleen M. Walters, an assistant professor at the university, recently was presented the Patrick J. Byrne Emerging Leadership Award for significant contributions to the national organization. Representing academia, industry and government, FDRS members work to address ongoing challenges in food marketing and distribution.

Spring General Faculty meeting set for Feb. 14
The spring meeting of the General Faculty at Mississippi State is scheduled for Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. in Foster Ballroom of Colvard Student Union. The program will include reports on topics of general interest to the university community from President Mark E. Keenum, Provost and Executive Vice President Judy Bonner, Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Shaw, and Vice President for Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine Greg Bohach. A time for questions and discussion will follow their presentations.