Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State celebrated National Ice Cream Month last Friday, and the MAFES Sales Store offered a free single-scoop to patrons. MSU Office of Admissions and Scholarships staff members (l-r) LaSandra Addison, Tonia Kennedy and Brittany Fulgham enjoyed the creamy frozen treat produced on campus at the Custer Dairy Processing Plant. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs

Deadline next week for SEC Visiting Faculty Travel Grant Program applications
The Southeastern Conference Visiting Faculty Travel Grant Program is intended to enhance faculty collaboration that stimulates scholarly initiatives between SEC universities. Mississippi State can select a maximum of eight faculty members to receive 2017-2018 travel grants of $1,250 each for transportation, room, board, etc., to use for travel to another SEC campus. Completed applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on July 28.

MSU Extension and state Health Department form child care partnership
Two state agencies are collaborating on a Mississippi program designed to keep child care centers healthy and safe. Creating Healthy Indoor Child Care Environments is a workshop series that offers training to child care providers and continuing education credit required for licensure. The Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Mississippi State Department of Health Office of Child Care Licensure sponsor the series.

Variety defines upcoming MSU Lyceum Series
A nostalgic trip down Abbey Road will open Mississippi State’s 2017-18 Lyceum Series. The university’s long-running performing arts program launches Sept. 12 with a concert titled “Cellophane Flowers: A Beatles Tribute.” “MSU’s Performing Arts Committee worked very hard this year to bring a variety of productions that will enhance the cultural opportunities available to the MSU and Starkville communities,” said Stephen Cunetto, committee chair and associate dean of MSU Libraries.

Volunteers needed for MVNU2MSU in August
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 registration for Service DAWGS Day 2017, MVNU2MSU, Back 2 School Bash, Boys & Girls Club summer garden, information about becoming a mentor to at-risk young people, reading tutors, communication partners, Habitat for Humanity home build, 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.

Watch: Dudy Noble Field construction online
With construction underway on the new Dudy Noble Field, fans can view the progress of the $55-million facility project through either of the two live cameras that take photos every 10 minutes. There is a home-plate view of the project from outside Dudy Noble, along with an additional angle that looks into Dudy Noble from beyond the right field wall. The main entrance at home plate, right field entry plaza, lower level of the main grandstand, grass berms on first and third base sides, and the Left Field Lounge are all expected to be completed for the 2018 season. Mississippi State expects to release a seating plan for the 2018 season later this summer.

SEC Network takeover coming up next week
Make plans to tune into the SEC Network on July 25 for 24-hour coverage of Bulldog athletics featuring historic moments, inspiring wins and mind-changing documentaries. It's the third year in a row the SEC Network is previewing all 14 SEC schools during a two-week stretch. A sampling of the segments included are the women's basketball memorable upset against UConn in the Final Four this past April to end the Huskies' 111-game winning streak, the 2016 Egg Bowl victory and the men's 2002 SEC Tournament basketball title.

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MBJ ‘Top in Tech’ list includes Williams, Hill
A Mississippi State University faculty member and a staff member are among those named by the Mississippi Business Journal to the 2017 “Top in Tech” list. Lakiesha Williams, an associate professor in MSU’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, was named to the list, which recognizes individuals and companies that innovate and create jobs, contributing to Mississippi’s economy. MSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach Director Eric Hill also was recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal for his work with SportSnax, a company he co-founded and debuted in 2013.

Reorganized Franklin Furniture Institute continues to support industry, contribute research and drive innovation
Mississippi State University’s Franklin Furniture Institute is reaffirming its strong commitment to the state’s furniture manufacturing industry by continuing to provide testing and research while broadening its focus to enhance innovation and technology. “The university and MSU’s Franklin Furniture Institute remain dedicated to the furniture industry moving forward with a revitalized program that will have an emphasis on innovation and will be renamed the Franklin Innovation Center,” said Gregory A. Bohach, MSU's vice president for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine.

Zuckerman looks to the past to understand modern disease transmission
A fascination with skeletons and the clues they provide about those who lived in the past led Molly Zuckerman to pursue a career in anthropology. Now an associate professor in Mississippi State University’s Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures, Zuckerman is using lessons from ancient skeletal remains to guide insight into the spread of diseases today. “I’m really interested in how diseases change over time,” Zuckerman said. “I want to know how the diseases that impact entire human populations shift over time and how that can cause a shift in rates of death and sickness."

Mississippi, Alabama research administrators coming to campus this week
The Society of Research Administrators International Alabama-Mississippi Chapter will hold its annual meeting at Mississippi State University this week. With a theme of "Research United," the newly expanded chapter will meet in Colvard Student Union on the Starkville campus on Friday. "We're looking forward to hosting colleagues from colleges and universities throughout Mississippi and Alabama. The planning committee has put together an interesting and very timely program," said Jennifer Easley, director of the Office of Sponsored Projects at MSU and the chapter's president-elect.