Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Eric Hill, director of MSU's Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach, led a tour earlier this month of the center's McCool Hall facility for students in the College of Business' MBA Venture Pathway program. The CEO helps students, faculty and community members start and grow successful companies. The MBA Venture Pathway program offers exceptional incoming freshmen pursuing majors outside the College of Business a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a hands-on education that provides an accelerated path to a Master of Business Administration degree. PHOTO: Logan Kirkland | Public Affairs

'Comprehensive Tectonics:' Gregory publishes book
A book by Alexis Gregory, an associate professor in the School of Architecture at Mississippi State University, was released on July 30. "Comprehensive Tectonics: Technical Building Assemblies from the Ground to the Sky" is currently available purchase on Amazon. Seven case studies from architecture firms such as Perkins + Will, Lake | Flato, and Olson Kundig Architects include more than 250 color images showing component details, building sections, wall sections and floor plans.

CAAD names 2019 faculty, staff awards
The College of Architecture, Art and Design annually honors faculty and staff with monetary awards recognizing excellence in teaching, service and dedication. The recipients are selected by an awards committee, which includes the dean, associate dean, department heads and a faculty member from each unit. The 2019 CAAD Tenured Faculty Teaching Excellence Award went to Assistant Professor Cassie Hester in the Department of Art. The 2019 CAAD Staff Award went to Christina Vanderberg, business coordinator for the Department of Art.

State leaders gather for NSPARC Data Summit
Government and industry leaders from across Mississippi discussed the many ways data can advance the Magnolia State at the fourth annual Data Summit, hosted by Mississippi State’s National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center. The two-day summit, held at The Mill at MSU, featured presentations, panel discussions, breakout sessions, networking opportunities and keynote luncheon -- all focused on the undeniable value of data in increasingly connected cities and towns.

Race in America lecture series begins Oct. 1
Mississippi State University’s fifth annual interdisciplinary lecture series -- Race in America -- kicks off Oct. 1 with a keynote lecture from alumnus Deadric T. Williams. “Over the past five years, we have had the honor of hosting at MSU more than 20 race scholars from across the country,” said event chair Margaret Hagerman, an MSU assistant professor of sociology. “This year, we are really excited to first host Dr. Williams.”

Smoke-free policy enhances healthy environment
Mississippi State University is a smoke-free campus. Official policy prohibits the use of any combustible or vapor products anywhere on campus property including university buildings, university grounds, university vehicles, parking areas and sidewalks. The smoke-free campus policy is part of the university's commitment to creating a healthy environment for all members of the campus community. Use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah or other similar devices are prohibited by this policy.

Deadlines for research faculty promotion requests
The Office of Research and Economic Development at Mississippi State is reminding university departments to refer to MSU operating policy 56.06 regarding research, extension and clinical faculty positions. University deadlines are listed below, but departments, centers or colleges may issue earlier dates to complete the promotion process in a timely manner.

Applications sought for teaching excellence awards
Mississippi State University faculty who are interested in submitting applications for the 2020 Grisham Master Teacher Award, the Alumni Association Early Career Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award or the Alumni Association Graduate and/or Professional Teaching Excellence Award have until Oct. 15 to do so. All current full-time faculty members at MSU with the required years of service, regardless of rank, are eligible to apply for these awards.

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.

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.

Loehwing's research wins national book award
Mississippi State University communication faculty member Melanie E. Loehwing is the winner of the 2019 National Communication Association Diamond Anniversary Book Award for her publication on homelessness and the relationship between public policy and ideas and practices of democracy. An associate professor in the Department of Communication, Loehwing’s 2018 book, “Homeless Advocacy and the Rhetorical Construction of the Civic Home,” was published in 2018 as part of Penn State University Press’s Rhetoric and Democratic Deliberation series.

Fulton receives national historic preservation grant
Jeff Fulton, an assistant professor in the Mississippi State University Interior Design Program, recently received the national Ina Mae Kaplan Grant for Historic Preservation. The grant is an International Furnishings and Design Association's Educational Grant and is awarded in memory of a dedicated IFDA member. Mississippi State was the only recipient this year, said Fulton, "reflecting IFDA’s recognition of the importance and value of historic preservation in Mississippi."

Gines receives University of Utah alumni award
Mississippi State University School of Architecture Associate Professor Jacob Gines is one of seven alumni from the University of Utah’s College of Architecture and Planning to receive a Distinguished and Young Alumni Award. He graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Utah in 2005 and earned his Master of Architecture from the university in 2007.

Kardos to give MSU Grisham Master Teacher Lecture
Mississippi State’s Center for Teaching and Learning is sponsoring the 2019 John Grisham Master Teacher Lecture this week. Michael Kardos, MSU Professor of English and creative writing program co-director, will present a lecture titled “Embracing Paradox in the Classroom” at 2 p.m. on Tuesday. It will be held in the John Grisham Room on the third floor of Mitchell Memorial Library. A reception will immediately follow his presentation.