Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State President Mark E. Keenum discusses the university's accomplishments and vision for the future last Wednesday [July 26] at the Neshoba County Fair. PHOTO: Lisa Sollie | Public Affairs

Temporary stop signs on Blackjack Road at Wise Center entrance to come down Tuesday
Stop signs on Blackjack Road at the entrance to Mississippi State’s Wise Center which have been in place through the summer will be removed Tuesday. The temporary traffic management signs have been part of the south entrance road project, which begins at Poorhouse Road and stretches about 3.5 miles to connect with Blackjack Road at the Stone Boulevard intersection. A section of Stone Boulevard from Blackjack Road south to Wise Center Drive remains temporarily closed. The new corridor for traffic to and from campus is projected to open in late August or September before the start of football season.

CVM disaster response team deployed to Leflore County crash site
Mississippi State University veterinarians are assisting with the federal and state disaster response to the July 10 military plane crash in Leflore County. “Following Hurricane Katrina, the American Kennel Club provided funding to enable our College of Veterinary Medicine to purchase a mobile veterinary vehicle that would be used to respond to events that threatened the well-being of animals, and dogs in particular,” said CVM Dean Kent Hoblet. “Being in the Delta this week to provide support for the hard-working service dogs is honoring our commitment to the people and dogs of Mississippi.”

Volunteers needed for MVNU2MSU
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.

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.

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.

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Fiscal year giving tops $100 million for four successive years
For a fourth consecutive year, Mississippi State University has topped the $100 million mark in private gifts. More than $108.6 million was contributed during the just-ended fiscal year 2017, marking the second highest fundraising year on record for the 139-year-old land-grant institution. “Private gifts have become crucial to maintaining excellence and achieving growth, and we gratefully acknowledge the impact of this generous outpouring of support,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum.

Herrington inducted into Southern Public Relations Federation's Hall of Fame
A senior member of Mississippi State’s Office of Public Affairs is being honored as one of the newest inductees into the Southern Public Relations Federation’s Hall of Fame. Checky Herrington, MSU’s marketing research analyst, was inducted at a luncheon ceremony earlier this month. A native of Louisville, he has more than three decades of experience in public relations, marketing and brand-strategy development. “Checky is a true professional who understands the power of storytelling,” said Sid Salter, director of the Office of Public Affairs and MSU’s chief communications officer.

Cooke named interim head of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures
A veteran administrator at Mississippi State University has been appointed to serve as the interim department head for the university’s Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures. Bill Cooke comes to AMEC with five years of department head experience and has more than 26 years of experience in remote sensing and GIS research at MSU. He obtained his Ph.D. in forestry in 1997 from MSU. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at MSU in 1978 and 1991, respectively. “My simple goal for this next academic year is to work daily to facilitate the success of our AMEC faculty in pursuit of excellence in education and in pursuit of research opportunities,” Cooke said.