Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

The sun sets on the new "Old Main" Academic Center last week. The final stages of construction continue for the 150,000-square-foot facility, which will contain classroom space and a 60,000-square-foot parking garage. Once complete, the building will be used by an estimated 11,000 students on the busiest class days. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs

CAVS Extension to continue role in Mississippi’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Mississippi State University’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems Extension in Canton will continue to play a key role in the state’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership as the program has secured an additional five years of federal funding. CAVS-E Director Clay Walden said he is pleased to continue supporting the state’s manufacturing economy. “This will help us go to a new level to deliver economic development assistance,” Walden said. “This is part of who we are as a land-grant university.”

Campus visit schedules updated for MWRRI director finalists
Mississippi State University will host three finalists for director of the Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute over the next several weeks. During their visits, each candidate will deliver a public presentation where they will share their vision for the institute, as well as discuss their leadership style. Interested members of the campus community are invited to attend.

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 Mississippi Delta Alternative Spring Break, the MSU Big Event on April 1, MSU Collegiate Leadership Conference, track and field meet official volunteers, Feeding Starkville Food Drive, Oktibbeha County Humane Society, Bulldogs on the Move, tutoring, 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.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 03/06/17
Men's Tennis hosts Alcorn State on Tuesday beginning at 1:30 p.m., and then hosts Alabama at 3 p.m. on Thursday ... Baseball hosts Louisiana Tech on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., South Alabama on Friday at 6:30 p.m., Columbia at 1 p.m. and South Alabama at 4 p.m. on Saturday, and Columbia at 2 p.m. on Sunday ... Softball hosts Troy at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, and then visits Central Arkansas for a game on Wednesday at 5 p.m., and then travels to College Station for games against Texas A&M on Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. ... The SEC Tournament for Men's Basketball begins on Wednesday in Nashville ... Track & Field competes at the NCAA Indoor Championships beginning Thursday ... Women's Tennis is on the road to Nashville for a match on Friday against Vanderbilt at 4 p.m., and then visits Lexington to play Kentucky at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

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

Spencer praised by statewide organization
Mississippi State’s chief human resources officer is being honored by Women in Higher Education-Mississippi Network with its 2017 Leadership Award Judith A. “Judy” Spencer formally accepted the major recognition at the organization’s recent convention at Jackson State University. Established in 2003, WHEMN works to promote and support women in higher education leadership through programs in career development and mentoring.

Poultry leader follows her own path
When poultry science began receiving academic attention, women were the first poultry husbandry faculty. They were housed in the home economics departments of land-grant universities, a carryover from the days when women kept chickens at home for eggs and meat. Eventually, universities created poultry science departments, populated mostly by men. Today, Mary Beck, head of the Department of Poultry Science at Mississippi State University since 2012, makes her mark in a field dominated by men.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Will Kay
For Dr. Will Kay, being a veterinarian is a family value. “I am a third generation vet,” Will said. “I grew up at a vet hospital. I’m also a second generation neurologist. Dad is a neurologist and Mom is a veterinary surgeon.” Neurologists treat patients with issues related to the nerves and nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. In a typical day, he and his team see three new appointments and a couple of rechecks, plus the various inpatients in the hospital. His patients are primarily dogs and cats.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Rachel Welborn
Texas native Rachel Welborn is committed to the well-being of people and communities in the rural South. As program manager for the Southern Rural Development Center, she works with her colleagues across the region on various multistate projects. “The Southern Rural Development Center’s mission is to build capacity and collaboration among the 13-state region’s land-grant universities on issues around rural development,” she said.