Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

MSU President Mark E. Keenum joins federal and state officials last Tuesday [Aug. 22] in celebrating the opening of the Department of Homeland Security’s Common Unmanned Aircraft Systems Facility at Camp Shelby. Led by MSU, the Mississippi UAS Partnership is a coalition of key organizations providing the highest quality UAS training and evaluation capability in the nation. PHOTO: Russ Houston | Public Affairs

RCU receives 10-year, $13.6-million award
The Research and Curriculum Unit at Mississippi State is beginning the next phase of ongoing career and technical education assessments for the state’s public schools. A 10-year, $13.6-million Mississippi Department of Education contract with the specialized university group went into effect July 1. In addition to continuing many services provided in previous contracts, the new award expands K-12 standard-setting, research and teacher support, among other services. While the RCU has been developing the scientific evaluations for more than two decades, “this contract aligns CTE assessment more closely to academic testing,” said Sean Owen, the project’s principal investigator.

Gootee’s photograph selected for Landscape, Grand and Personal exhibition
Professor Marita Gootee’s photograph, The Fold, was selected by juror Eliot Dudik for the Landscape, Grand and Personal exhibition at the SE Center for Photography. The exhibition will run during September at the center in Greenville, South Carolina. Gootee teaches photography in the Department of Art at Mississippi State University. The Fold is a lumen print of an 8x10 negative contact.

'Campus Resources Necessary for Research Success' kicks off Research Seminar Series
The fall Research Seminar Series at Mississippi State University kicks off Monday with "Campus Resources Necessary for Research Success" in Bost Extension Center's south auditorium at 3 p.m. Assistant Vice President for Research Teresa Gammill will lead this overview of the resources available to Mississippi State's research community, and she'll also introduce you to the Sponsored Projects, Research Compliance, Research Security, Technology Management, Environmental Health and Safety, and Sponsored Programs Accounting teams.

Cross-college research grant program returns
The Office of Research and Economic Development and the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine are again soliciting proposals from Mississippi State faculty who desire to create interdisciplinary, cross-college research groups on campus. The objective of this program is to improve research competitiveness by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration that is focused on a common research theme and leads directly to the submission of a competitive proposal to an external funding agency.

Faculty proposals sought for ORED undergrad research program
The Office of Research and Economic Development at Mississippi State is again soliciting proposals from faculty to create innovative, faculty-directed research opportunities for talented undergraduate students. A wide range of projects will be considered as long as the budget explicitly supports undergraduate research. The ideal project will produce results that can be incorporated into a publication or serve as preliminary results for a proposal submission.

New opportunities 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 Get Swept Up, First Responders Appreciation Day, Maroon Edition Resource Fair: The Game of Life, Mississippi Votes, Golden Triangle Walk to End Alzheimer's, MSU Community Garden, 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.

This Week in Mississippi State Sports, 08/28/17
Volleyball hosts Grambling State at 6 p.m. on Thursday, South Florida at 2 p.m. and Tulane at 7 p.m. on Friday, and Stephen F. Austin at 9 a.m. on Saturday ... Soccer hosts Houston on Friday at 7 p.m. and Colgate on Sunday at 11 a.m. ... Cross Country competes Saturday at the Golden Eagle CC Invite in Cookeville, Tennessee ... Football opens the 2017 season with Charleston Southern at Davis Wade Stadium at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

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resource for Mississippi State University employees.

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Football rings in new season Thursday night with Cowbell Yell
Bulldog fans of all ages are welcome to Davis Wade Stadium Thursday for Mississippi State’s seventh annual Cowbell Yell pep rally. Free to all, the 9 p.m. event is sponsored by the MSU Student Association and Department of Athletics. Fans are encouraged to bring their cowbells and enter through Gate F at the northwest corner of Davis Wade Stadium starting at 8 p.m. Among others, this year’s pep rally will feature appearances by new play-by-play announcer Neil Price, former MSU football player Anthony Dixon, the Famous Maroon Band, football coaches and spirit groups.

Anderson adding new role in Academic Affairs
Mississippi State University’s prestigious scholarship director Tommy Anderson has been named interim assistant dean of academic affairs. He began his new position June 1. The position of assistant dean of academic affairs was designed as a “part-time role to aid the college as we grow our majors and increase our ability to serve our faculty and students” said the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Rick Travis.

Leadership program taps a dozen faculty
A dozen Mississippi State faculty members are new selections for the competitive 2017-18 Dean Wallace Colvard Faculty Leadership Program. Sponsored by the university’s offices of Research and Economic Development and of the Provost and Executive Vice President, the program works to develop the next generation of campus academic leaders, among other goals. It honors the memory of the land-grant institution’s 12th president (1960-66).

Public presentations set for Career Center director finalists
The search committee for the Career Center director's position at Mississippi State University has invited three finalists to interview on campus. During their visit, each candidate will hold a public presentation in Colvard Student Union's Fowlkes Auditorium. Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend these sessions. The finalists are Angie Chrestman, William Fletcher and Jonathan Harrington.