Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

A summer sunset creates a light show with an array of color over Mississippi State's Davis Wade Stadium. PHOTO: Logan Kirkland | Public Affairs

Peebles named Poultry Science Association fellow
A Mississippi State poultry science faculty member is being named a fellow of the Poultry Science Association. Professor David Peebles will receive the association’s highest recognition during its annual meeting this week. Mary Beck, professor and head of the Department of Poultry Science, said the designation is a testament to Peebles’ dedication to a lifelong career in poultry science. Peebles said becoming a fellow is a pinnacle in his professional career.

Simpson and Reddy to lead Mississippi Academy of Sciences
Two Mississippi State faculty members have been elected to leadership roles in the Mississippi Academy of Sciences. MAS has elected LaShan Simpson and Raja Reddy in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as president and president-elect, respectively. Simpson is an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and Reddy is a research professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, who also serves as director of the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere-Research, or SPAR unit. Both are researchers in the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, or MAFES.

Potter named editor-in-chief of Public Integrity scholarly journal
A faculty member in Mississippi State’s Department of Political Science and Public Administration is now the editor-in-chief of Public Integrity, an American Society of Public Administration scholarly journal. Associate Professor Michael R. Potter now guides the direction of the journal, housed on MSU’s campus. Established in 1998, Public Integrity articles analyze ethical issues of importance to the public, such as government, business, criminal justice and environmental and human rights.

Center for Community-Engaged Learning now accepting applications for mini-grants
The Center for Community-Engaged Learning is accepting mini-grant applications through July 31 for 2019-20 community-engaged learning courses. CEL integrates meaningful community engagement into an academic course through experiential learning and critical reflection. CCEL seeks to support activities that enrich the educational experience of students by teaching civic responsibility and meeting the needs of a community. Any Mississippi State University faculty member is eligible to receive a mini-grant. Award priority will be given to projects of CEL fellows and faculty that teach a CEL designated course.

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.

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.

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.

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Arts and Sciences welcomes Anderson as new associate dean
Mississippi State’s College of Arts and Sciences is announcing a new leader for its academic affairs division. Thomas P. “Tommy” Anderson began his new role as the associate dean for academic affairs July 1. Anderson has served since 2017 as the interim assistant dean of academic affairs and has been an English professor at the land-grant university since 2005. “I am honored to continue the work of facilitating graduate and undergraduate student success and to support excellent faculty teaching and research,” he said.

Rader named head of sociology department
Mississippi State professor of sociology Nicole Rader is the new head of the university’s sociology department. With 14 years of service at MSU, Rader said she is “very excited about leading sociology into its next chapter and looking forward to working with faculty who are producing important and timely scholarship.” Rader also has served for three years as associate dean of academic affairs in MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Callender named School of Architecture's interim director
Jassen Callender, associate director of Mississippi State’s School of Architecture, has been named interim director of the state’s only architecture program leading to a professional degree. He started the new role in the College of Architecture, Art and Design July 1, succeeding longtime Director and F.L. Crane Professor Michael A. Berk, who is retiring after 29 years at MSU. A School of Architecture alumnus, Callender has led its Fifth-Year Program in Jackson for more than a decade.

Allen receives Fulbright grant for teaching and research in Chile
An aquaculture scientist in Mississippi State’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center is the newest university faculty member to receive the prestigious Fulbright grant to conduct research abroad as part of the U.S. Department of State’s flagship exchange program. “The biggest shock will be going from one of the longest days of the year to one of the shortest days overnight,” said Peter Allen, who will exchange the hot Mississippi summer for winter in La Serena, Chile.