Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Brandon Barton, an assistant professor in Mississippi State University’s Department of Biological Sciences, discusses MSU graduate student and Russellville, Alabama native Mariah Hodge’s research. The two collaborated, along with other MSU faculty and students, on a study examining the effects of sound on plant and animal ecosystems. Read more at www.msstate.edu/newsroom. PHOTO: Beth Wynn | Public Affairs

‘Godmother of Soul’ Patti LaBelle headlines 2018-19 Lyceum Series
Musical treasure Patti LaBelle will fill Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium with her legendary rhythm and blues when she headlines the upcoming season of Mississippi State’s Lyceum Series. Known as the “Godmother of Soul” and ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the “Top 100 Singers of All Time,” the Grammy Award winner will perform Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. Doors open approximately 30 minutes before the curtain rises on all shows scheduled for the 2018-19 Lyceum Series, the university’s long-running performing arts program.

ITAR, export control briefing set for September
The Office of Research Security at Mississippi State will host an ITAR and export control briefing open to all faculty and staff on Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. in Conference Room 20 at the High Performance Computing Collaboratory. Jonathan Barnes, a special agent with the Bureau of Industry and Security’s Office of Export Enforcement, will lead the one-hour session. He will provide an introduction and overview of U.S. export control laws regulating academic and private sector R&D projects. He also will discuss how academic research may be pursued within the context of this legal environment.

Reminder: University policy addresses employee political activity
With political campaigning for Congress and other races currently underway, Mississippi State's Office of General Counsel offers the following reminder of the university’s policy on political activities. There are several guidelines that employees of the university should keep in mind when engaging in any form of political activity. The Office of General Counsel encourages each employee to review this policy in its entirety to make certain you are fully aware of your rights and responsibilities.

Institute for the Humanities issues call for papers
Mississippi State’s Institute for the Humanities invites faculty members to submit individual paper proposals for the 2018-2019 Interdisciplinary Forum Workshop Series to be held in the upcoming academic year. The Interdisciplinary Forum Workshop Series will consist of six gatherings anchored around the theme of “Examining Governance from an Interdisciplinary Perspective.”

Faculty, staff volunteers needed for Heifer Ranch trip
Mississippi State faculty and staff volunteers/chaperones are needed for the annual trip to Heifer Ranch, Arkansas, for the Global Village educational experience Oct. 12-14, 2018. Heifer International is an Arkansas-based non-profit organization focused on community development to resolve poverty and hunger around the world. The Global Village is a hands-on educational experience where students are challenged to live in modeled developing world conditions.

The Office of Public Affairs provides Maroon MEMO as a general information
resource for Mississippi State University employees.

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

Student Affairs leaders recognized for employer support of National Guard and Reserve
Mississippi State Division of Student Affairs leaders are being recognized with the Patriotic Employer award by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program. Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Jeremy Baham both were presented with the honor last week. They were nominated by Andrew Rendon, director of MSU's Office of Planning and Assessment and Mississippi Army National Guard lieutenant colonel.

#MoorValue: Athletics reduces concession prices
When Mississippi State fans attend Bulldog athletic events in Starkville this fall, they will notice dramatically reduced prices at concessions. Prices on food and beverage at all home venues will be significantly decreased beginning this 2018-19 athletic year, MSU Athletics announced as part of its #MoorValue campaign on last week. "As we work with Athletics and our MSU dining partner Aramark to create a more fan and family-friendly game day experience for our Bulldog family, I believe this new comprehensive plan for concessions is a key element to increasing value for our fans," said MSU President Mark E. Keenum.

New faculty orientation, welcome reception, teaching academy, Canvas training set for August
Mississippi State University is announcing a variety of programs to officially welcome new faculty to the Bulldog family this fall. The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President is sponsoring an Aug. 14 orientation program at The Mill at MSU in Starkville. MSU President Mark E. Keenum and First Lady Rhonda Keenum also are hosting a welcome reception at The Mill for new faculty and their spouses or significant others. MSU's Center for Teaching and Learning also is offering a New Faculty Teaching Academy on Aug. 15 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. in the third-floor John Grisham Room at Mitchell Memorial Library. The program is intended for new faculty who will begin teaching in the fall or spring semesters.