Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State University officials broke ground last Wednesday [Aug. 7] on a new 500-space parking garage, which will be located next to Howell Hall and across from Humphrey Coliseum. The $16 million garage was designed by Tupelo-based McCarty Architects and is being built by Amason and Associates. It is expected to be completed next summer. Pictured, from left, are Parking and Transit Services Director Jeremiah Dumas, Vice President for Campus Services Amy Tuck, President Mark E. Keenum, University Architect Tim Muzzi, Assistant Vice President for Campus Services George Davis and Robert Holland Faculty Senate President Randy Follett. PHOTO: Logan Kirkland | Public Affairs

Wells wins national poultry science recruiting award
A Mississippi State poultry science instructor is being recognized this summer with a national recruiting award. Extension Instructor Jessica Wells received the 2019 Poultry Science Association recruitment award in July at the organization’s annual meeting. Mary Beck, professor and poultry science department head, said Wells has greatly enhanced departmental recruitment and retention efforts since she joined the faculty 10 years ago. In the last year, undergraduate enrollment in the department increased 11% with a 125% total increase over the entire 10-year period.

Former College of Business Dean Harvey Lewis dies
Harvey S. Lewis of St. Petersburg, Florida, a former Mississippi State leader who at one point served as interim university president, has died at the age of 80. The Byram native and MSU alumnus earned a degree in banking and finance from the College of Business in 1961 before going on to earn an MBA and doctoral degree from the University of Arkansas. Lewis enjoyed a successful career in higher education. Among his various MSU positions, he served as vice president for administration and development and interim university president. He retired in 1997 as dean of the College of Business, which grew significantly under his direction.

Reminder: University policy addresses employee political activity
With political campaigning for local and statewide 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.

Lyceum mini-series tickets now available
Mini-series tickets for Mississippi State University’s 2019-20 Lyceum Series are now available for purchase. Mini-series tickets are available to the general public for $75 and $65 for MSU employees and senior citizens. The mini-series ticket option includes attendance to three programs and features guaranteed reserved seating at a discounted rate. The annual series supports performing arts in the Starkville and MSU communities.

Construction for new parking garage underway, to continue through July 2020
Construction for a new parking garage on the north side of Mississippi State's Starkville campus is underway and expected to last through July 2020. During this time, those navigating campus are advised to use caution when approaching this construction area. Due to construction, a section of sidewalk along Bailey Howell Drive and adjacent to the construction site will be temporarily closed, requiring pedestrian traffic to be re-routed. Please see the accompanying map for details.

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

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MSU, Greystar celebrate opening of College View student housing development
With the fall 2019 semester right around the corner, Mississippi State University is opening a new housing development that is the first of its kind in the state. MSU and Greystar Real Estate Partners held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Thursday [Aug. 8] to officially open the College View development, a public-private partnership between MSU and an affiliate of Greystar. “This development sets a new standard for student housing in Mississippi and provides a unique way to meet our growing housing demands,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said.

Siegert named chief human resources officer
Nancy L. Siegert, a veteran human resources manager from Johns Hopkins University, is being named Mississippi State’s chief human resources officer. “We conducted a national search to fill this position and that search produced several outstanding candidates, but it was clear that Nancy had an outstanding depth of knowledge about the profession and significant relevant experience at a major national institution,” said MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw.

Department of Communication welcomes new leader
An award-winning educator and journalist is the new head of Mississippi State’s Department of Communication. Terrence D. “Terry” Likes joins the land-grant university after serving as department chair for eight years and tenured professor at Tennessee State University. Prior to TSU, Likes taught at Western Kentucky University from 1988-2008. He began his new role at MSU on Aug. 1. “After a national search, I am confident we have secured an effective leader for the Department of Communication,” said College of Arts and Sciences Dean Rick Travis.

Shaffer named African American Studies director
A Mississippi State associate professor of English and African American Studies is the new leader of the land-grant university’s African American Studies Program. Donald M. Shaffer officially assumed his new role Aug. 1 after serving as interim director for the past year. “I believe what distinguishes our program is the unique opportunity it affords students to pursue a minor in African American Studies at a land-grant institution located in a state that is the veritable birth place of African American culture,” Shaffer said.