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University again recognized by TVA for energy efficiency, low carbon emissions
The Tennessee Valley Authority is again recognizing Mississippi State University for its efforts in improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. “Our sustainability initiatives have had a tremendous positive impact on the university, and this success would not be possible without widespread support from the campus community,” said MSU Vice President for Campus Services Amy Tuck. “I look forward to working with our team, as well as Starkville Utilities and TVA, as we continue to improve energy efficiency on the MSU campus.”
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Partnership provides MSMS students with hands-on research experience
A longstanding partnership between Mississippi State and the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science is giving high school students the opportunity to get hands-on research experience in a university setting. “These students are in labs talking to undergraduates, graduate students and faculty members,” said Teresa Gammill, Mississippi State assistant vice president for research. “They’re getting additional mentoring that they would not have gotten otherwise, and they’re getting involved in the research to the extent that they can discover which areas they like. This program couldn’t run without our dedicated faculty.”
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MSU collaborates on $3.9 million NOAA grant to help Gulf Coast birds, conserve biodiversity
Mississippi State University scientists are receiving a five-year, $3.9 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s RESTORE Science Program to increase understanding of how birds use the Gulf of Mexico, helping resource managers improve habitat for coastal species. The MSU-led group is one of only four teams of researchers and resource managers from across 20 institutions including universities, federal and state agencies, and non-governmental organizations receiving a total of $15.6 million in funding from the program.
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DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Gina Bell
Gina Bell wears a variety of hats as an office associate in the dean’s office of the College of Forest Resources. Her responsibilities include preparing and selling hunter permits for the John W. Starr Memorial Forest, reconciling leave for the department, coordinating and scheduling departmental vehicles, and requesting and booking travel as a delegate for the department. “It is exciting to meet and interact with the faculty, staff, students and guests who come into the main office. I love assisting with whatever needs people have and seeing what new challenges and problems arise,” she said.
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DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Allison Mooney
After Allison Mooney received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee in May 2018, she started her residency in neurology and neurosurgery at MSU in July 2019. “This residency is a three-year-long advanced training program,” she said. “My ultimate goal is to become a board-certified veterinary neurologist and neurosurgeon.” Mooney said her favorite part of the job is creating success stories, such as helping dogs walk again or relieving pain for a client.
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Applications sought for faculty athletics rep
After 15 years of service as Mississippi State University's faculty athletics representative, Steve Turner will be stepping away from the role in 2020. A search for a new FAR is now underway. The deadline to apply is Oct. 16. Chief Communications Officer Sid Salter is chairing the FAR search committee. Committee members are Bracky Brett, executive senior associate athletic director; Ann Carr, executive senior associate athletic director; John Cohen, director of athletics; Randy Follett, president, Robert Holland Faculty Senate; Regina Hyatt, vice president for student affairs; Brandon Jolly, associate general counsel; David Shaw, provost and executive vice president, and MaKayla Waldner, student-athlete representative.
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Deadline for teaching excellence awards Oct. 15
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.
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MSU Extension hosts Breakfast on the Farm
School groups and families will soon have a chance to tour a dairy farm and learn where their food comes from. Hosted by the Mississippi State University Extension Service and the MSU Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Breakfast on the Farm is designed to promote an appreciation of the state’s dairy industry and feature educational activities for all ages. School groups can tour the MSU Bearden Dairy Research Center Oct. 17 and 18. Families and the public can visit the facility Oct. 19. The event will last from 9 a.m. to noon each day.
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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.
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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.

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Southern Public Relations Federation recognizes communications professionals
Several Mississippi State University divisions, departments and offices are bringing home awards this week from the Southern Public Relations Federation’s annual conference. MSU’s Office of Public Affairs garnered five honors including two Awards of Excellence. Three SPRF awards went to MSU’s Office of Agricultural Communications including two Awards of Excellence. MSU Agricultural and Natural Resources Marketing won an Award of Excellence. MSU’s High Performance Computing Collaboratory received a first-place Lantern Award and two Awards of Excellence. Terri Hernandez in the university’s Department of Communications received a first-place Lantern Award.
Herrington honored with Professional Achievement Award by Southern Public Relations Federation
Checky Herrington, brand manager for Mississippi State University’s Office of Public Affairs, is being honored with the 2019 Professional Achievement Award presented annually by the Southern Public Relations Federation. Given by SPRF at the group’s fall conference this week in Orange Beach, Alabama, the award recognizes a professional who exemplifies the highest standards in public relations and has a commitment to advancing the field.
Reed honored with Newcomer Career Professional Excellence Award
A Bagley College of Engineering staff member was recently recognized by an international research organization. Blair Reed, the business manager for the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, earned the Newcomer Career Professional Excellence Award from the Society of Research Administrators International. “I was honored to find out that I had been nominated for the award and very grateful that someone considered me as deserving of the nomination,” said Reed. “To say that I was surprised when I was chosen as the winner is an understatement.”
Mississippi State celebrates completion of Animal and Dairy Sciences Building
Mississippi State officials commemorated the completion of the new Animal and Dairy Sciences Building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week. “The new Animal and Dairy Sciences Building provides our students and faculty with an exceptional teaching and learning environment,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “This building, as well as the recently completed Meat Science and Muscle Biology Lab and the Poultry Science Building under construction, will further enhance Mississippi State’s national and international leadership in agricultural sciences research and education.”
Mississippi State University  •  Mississippi State, MS 39762  •  Main Telephone: (662) 325-2323  •   Contact: The Editor  |  The Webmaster  •   Updated: October 7, 2019Facebook Twitter