Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

A crepe myrtle blooms in front of the Cobb Institute of Archaeology during the first official week of summer. MSU's first summer term will wrap up with final exams on Monday [July 1], followed by the beginning of the second summer term on July 8. PHOTO: Colleen McInnis | Public Affairs

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Elvis Sykes
Elvis Sykes has worked for the Black Belt Branch Experiment Station near Brooksville for almost 17 years doing anything that is necessary to keeping up with the property. “My favorite part of what I do is spraying,” Elvis said. “I like the chemistry that goes along with mixing.” He says that one of the most important traits about his job is paying attention to all the safety and health regulations. “I like the research aspect of my job,” Elvis said. “It continues to advance, and I continue to learn.”

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Redale Oswalt
Redale Oswalt is from Eupora and has been a Facility Operations Technician at the Mississippi Horse Park for five years. Redale and two others are responsible for maintaining the facility, including equipment, grounds, barns, arenas and roads. “The Horse Park is heavily used each year and had 145 days of activities in 2018,” Redale said. “The crew I am a part of is responsible for the setup and breakdown of all of these events.”

MSU, ed2go offering online professional development courses
Mississippi State’s Center for Continuing Education, in partnership with leading online continuing education provider ed2go, is offering more than 300 online professional development courses. “Whether you want to enhance your professional skills or just learn something new, these classes are informative, affordable and can be taken entirely online at any time from the comfort of your home or office,” said Dixie Cartwright, CCE manager. New course sessions begin each month.

Season tickets on sale now for Lyceum Series
Season tickets for Mississippi State University’s 2019-20 Lyceum Series are now available for purchase. The annual series supports performing arts in the Starkville and MSU communities, and features some of the world’s most talented artists. Faculty and staff members receive a discounted ticket price for all season-ticket and mini-series packages, as well as individual performance tickets. For more information and to purchase season tickets, visit www.union.msstate.edu/student-activities/lyceum or call the Center for Student Activities at (662) 325-2930.

Summer read: 2019 Maroon Edition book, ‘Hold on with a Bulldog Grip’
Mississippi State students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends, as well as members of the local community, are encouraged to include the university’s Maroon Edition book, “Hold On with a Bulldog Grip,” in their summer reading selections. The book is being made available to incoming freshman students and transfers in their summer Orientation packets, and others can purchase the book at MSU’s Barnes & Noble bookstore or through other booksellers. Purchases also can be made online from the University Press of Mississippi at www.upress.state.ms.us/books/2240.

Volunteers needed for MVNU2MSU
Mississippi State’s Department of Housing and Residence Life is seeking volunteers for two move-in days as part of the university’s annual MVNU2MSU event. Individuals and groups of volunteers will welcome and assist new Bulldog students with moving into the Starkville campus’s 17 residence halls. Volunteers will receive a free T-shirt. Students participating in Panhellenic recruitment, New Maroon Camp, Famous Maroon Band and Spirit Groups may move into their residence halls on Aug. 11 from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. All other students may move in from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Aug. 17.

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.

Jordan named interim vice president for research and economic development
Julie Jordan has been named Mississippi State University’s interim vice president of research and economic development. An MSU alumnus, she succeeds David R. Shaw, who was recently promoted to MSU’s provost and executive vice president. MSU President Mark E. Keenum applauded Jordan’s appointment: “I have long admired Dr. Jordan’s leadership skills and solid work ethic. I have every confidence she will do an outstanding job as interim vice president for research and economic development.”

Thompson named head of Department of Philosophy and Religion
A Mississippi State faculty member with more than a decade of experience at the university is the new head of the Department of Philosophy and Religion. Officially beginning his administrative position July 1, Associate Professor of Philosophy J. Robert Thompson said he looks forward to the leadership role, which will allow him to “highlight the skills and understanding philosophy and religion bring to society.”

University well represented on MBJ ‘Top in Tech’ list
Three Mississippi State University personnel are being recognized as Mississippi’s leaders in technology. Director of High Performance Computing Trey Breckenridge, Computer Science and Engineering Associate Clinical Professor Sarah Lee and Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems Executive Director Clay Walden all were named to the Mississippi Business Journal’s 2019 Top in Tech List. In addition to their professional roles at MSU, all three are alumni of the university’s Bagley College of Engineering.