Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Attendees of Mississippi State's Spring Preview Day get an added bonus to their day on campus as they take in the Colvard Student Union Art Gallery exhibit honoring longtime MSU photographer Russ Houston. The exhibit, which will be on display through April 6, features highlights from Houston's 30 years of photographing the MSU community. A reception will be held in his honor from 2-4 p.m. on April 3 in the Old Main Lounge on the second floor of the Union. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs

Gude designs sensors to better track, repair oil leaks
A researcher in Mississippi State’s Bagley College of Engineering is designing new biosensors that can immediately detect issues in oil pipelines, preventing damaging leaks and maintaining the pipeline’s distribution. Veera Gnaneswar Gude, an associate professor in MSU’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, presented his research on the biosensors earlier this month at the National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society. Gude has been working on research related to sensors for over six years, but recently started applying the techniques to pipelines.

Communication department to host inaugural New Narrative Festival
From corporate communication, journalism and social media to visual arts, literature and music, storytelling is at the heart of the many ways the human experience is documented and conveyed. During Mississippi State University’s inaugural New Narrative Festival April 13-14, students, faculty, community members and business leaders will share storytelling ideas and best practices while discussing the Magnolia State’s influence on the American narrative. UPS is presenting sponsor for the event.

New state-of-the-art NSPARC data center to open with public celebration
Evidence of Mississippi’s innovative use of data will abound as the new National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center (NSPARC) Data Center at Mississippi State University celebrates its grand opening April 20. “We have been working toward this new Data Center for a couple of years now,” NSPARC Executive Director Domenico “Mimmo” Parisi said. “It would not have been possible without the support of many people, and that is why we want to share this celebration with the public.”

Classics of all kinds highlight MSU Riley Center spring/summer series
Classics will rule the stage as the MSU Riley Center presents its 2018 Spring/Summer Performing Arts Series, starting April 14 with a concert by the powerhouse rock band Jefferson Starship. “Each of our performers and productions in the Spring/Summer Series has, in some exceptional way, stood the test of time,” said Dennis Sankovich, the Riley Center’s executive director. “What better fit could we have for our Victorian gem of a theater? It made its grand debut in 1890, regained its youthful vigor in 2006, thanks to a loving restoration, and has since inspired the ongoing revival of Meridian’s historic downtown.”

Maroon Goes Green: Recycling reminders
Mississippi State University currently recycles an average of 60,400 pounds per month. The campus-wide sustainability initiative "Maroon Goes Green" is continuing its efforts to increase recycling awareness and participation among the campus community. Custodial staff members continue to be an integral part of this process and are committed to helping us increase our recycling numbers. To reduce contamination of recyclables, the Office of Sustainability is working to ensure all offices have bins with blue bags for recyclables only and to have convenient trash containers placed in buildings throughout campus.

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, 03/26/18
Men's Basketball plays Penn State at Madison Square Garden in New York in the National Invitation Tournament semifinal on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ... Baseball is on the road to Thibodaux, Louisiana, on Tuesday at a 6 p.m. game against Nicholls, and then visits Baton Rouge for an SEC series against LSU with games on Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. ... Softball plays Alabama State in Montgomery on Tuesday at 5 p.m., and then is on the road to Fayetteville to play Arkansas at 6 p.m. on Friday, 1 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday ... Beginning Thursday Track & Field competes at the Pepsi Florida Relays in Gainesville and at the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto on Friday and Saturday ... Men's Tennis plays Georgia in Athens on Friday at 4 p.m. and Tennessee in Knoxville at noon ... Women's Tennis plays Texas A&M in College Station at 5 p.m. on Friday and LSU in Baton Rouge on Sunday at noon ... Women's Basketball plays Louisville on Friday in the NCAA Tournament Women's Final Four in Columbus, Ohio.

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10th Maroon Edition returns to John Grisham for 2018 book
Mississippi State’s common reading program returns to an alumnus -- and one of the world’s best-selling authors -- for the university’s 10th Maroon Edition program. In a campus-wide message, MSU President Mark E. Keenum last Friday announced John Grisham’s “Calico Joe” as the 2018 selection. “‘Calico Joe’ tells a timeless story that raises important questions about forgiveness, the complicated relationships between children and their parents, and baseball. I believe you will find your time well spent as this story unfolds,” Keenum wrote.

Board of Trustees appoints Alfred Rankins Jr. as Commissioner of Higher Education
The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning appointed Alcorn State University President Alfred Rankins Jr. as Commissioner of Higher Education at a meeting held last week in Jackson. He will begin serving as commissioner on July 1. “Dr. Rankins has experience at both the system level and as a university president,” said Trustee C.D. Smith, president of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. A native of Greenville, Rankins received a Bachelor of Science degree from Alcorn State and both Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Mississippi State.

Cindy Bethel chosen as Fulbright scholar
A distinguished faculty member in Mississippi State’s Bagley College of Engineering will advance her research in Australia after being named a Fulbright U.S. Senior Scholar. Cindy Bethel, an associate professor in MSU’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering, will continue researching therapeutic robots at the University of Technology Sydney during the 2018-19 academic year. Bethel, who holds the Billie J. Ball Endowed Professorship in Engineering, is well known in her field for the robotic and therapeutic beagle puppy she created, Therabot.

$1.8M EDA grant to help fund construction of advanced technology institute
A $1.8-million federal grant announced last week by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) will help fund a new research facility in the Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park. The Economic Development Administration award will provide a new building for MSU’s Institute for Imaging and Analytical Technologies, also known as I2AT. David Shaw, MSU vice president for research and economic development, said, “Industries in our state and beyond will benefit greatly from the help this new facility will provide in solving many technically challenging problems they face."