Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

The standard has been raised in college baseball as Mississippi State University officially opened the new Dudy Noble Field with a grand opening ceremony Friday [Feb. 15] before the 2019 season opener. Cutting the ribbon on the $68 million facility is MSU President Mark E. Keenum. From left, are MSU Athletic Director John Cohen, Bulldog baseball legend Will Clark, project benefactors Dana and Charlie Stephenson, Voice of the Diamond Dawgs Jim Ellis, benefactor Richard Adkerson, Keenum, Bulldog baseball legend Rafael Palmeiro, former MSU baseball coach Ron Polk, benefactors Babs and Mickey Holliman, and Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustee members Hal Parker and Bruce Martin. PHOTO: Logan Kirkland | Public Affairs

Mississippi State scientists develop smartphone app to test lumber
Determining the stiffest piece of lumber is now easier with a new smartphone app created by scientists in Mississippi State University’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center. Called “Smart Thumper,” the app uses soundwaves or vibrations to determine stiffness, a quality that relates to strength, for individual pieces of lumber. Developer Dan Seale, a professor in MSU’s Department of Sustainable Bioproducts, said it will help carpenters, contractors, architects, engineers, lumber mill personnel and consumers. He pointed out that it can be particularly beneficial for the do-it-yourself market.

MSU, Uzbekistan’s Tashkent State Agrarian University sign agreement for academic and research collaborations
Mississippi State University and Uzbekistan’s Tashkent State Agrarian University are planning future academic and research collaborations after leaders from both institutions signed a memorandum of understanding last week. “We are honored to form this partnership,” MSU Provost and Executive Vice President Judy Bonner said. “We look forward to exchanging ideas and working together as we explore ways to deepen the partnership.” Julie Jordan, MSU associate vice president for international programs and director of the International Institute, said partnerships like this one demonstrate MSU’s commitment to global food security.

Nominations for Irvin Atly Jefcoat, Wes Ammon academic advising awards now open
The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President at Mississippi State is now accepting nominations for the 2019 Irvin Atly Jefcoat Excellence in Advising Awards and the 2019 Wes Ammon Outstanding New Advisor Awards. The Jefcoat and Ammon awards honor both a full-time MSU faculty adviser and a full-time staff adviser for contributions to student advising. Interested faculty and staff must submit an application in PDF form to Nancy Fultz at nfultz@provost.msstate.edu. The deadline to submit nominations for both awards is 5 p.m. on April 1.

Construction area near Allen Hall causes temporary closure on west side
To allow a contractor to complete sidewalk and parking lot construction in the area, a portion of sidewalk and parking spaces on the west side of Allen Hall will close temporarily. Please use entrances on the east, north and south sides of Allen Hall through March 1. For questions or more information, please contact the Facilities Management Service Desk at (662) 325-2005.

Faculty and staff may update online information about summer youth camps
Faculty, staff and deans, directors and department heads: The MSU summer camp page is up and ready to be updated with 2019 camp information. Having this information in one location is a help for people wanting to know what camps MSU will offer this summer. Your help getting this information centralized in one location is very much appreciated and a great way to ensure parents can find camp information easily. If you have any questions or trouble entering your camp information, please do not hesitate to contact Amber Shultice at the Center for Continuing Education, (662) 325-1457 or ams257@msstate.edu.

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Emerson, Dunne represent MSU in Jackson for annual HEADWAE program
A leading Mississippi State student and faculty member bring their Bulldog spirit to Jackson this month as they represent MSU at the 32nd Annual Higher Education Appreciation Day-Working for Academic Excellence (HEADWAE) program. MSU Student Association President Mayah J. Emerson of Meridian and Interim Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Dunne will interact Feb. 26 with legislative officials and other higher education supporters during a tour of the State Capitol and a recognition and awards luncheon at the Jackson Marriott Hotel.

Allen receives early career award for research on learning
Mississippi State University psychology faculty member Laura Allen is being honored by the Federation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain Sciences with an early career impact award. Given to early career researchers who provide major contributions to the sciences of mind, brain and behavior, the award recognizes Allen for research on cognitive processes that drive multiple text comprehension. The presentation will be made at the 2020 meeting of the Society for Computers in Psychology in Montreal, Canada.

Baker publishes music book for timpani
A recently published book by a Mississippi State associate professor of music offers young percussionists solos and exercises for the timpani -- often referred to as the “kettle drums,” used in both orchestra and band. In “33 Elementary Etudes for Timpani,” Jason Baker provides examples and exercises to help students build confidence in reading timpani parts and moving fluently around the drums. The exercises also include performance techniques, tuning changes, metric schemes and other indications commonly found in student-level solo, band/orchestra and percussion ensemble repertoires.