Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

MSU President Mark E. Keenum, center, compliments members of Mississippi State’s Famous Maroon Band on performing in their new uniforms for the first time during the recent MSU vs. LSU football game at Davis Wade Stadium. Pictured with Keenum are, from left to right, Andrew Cox of Lakeland, Tennessee; Emma Reynolds of Ocean Springs; Ruthie Southall of Acworth, Georgia; Beth Boyd of Germantown, Tennessee; (Keenum); Jon Zeipen of Jenison, Michigan; Kyrstan Lyles of Southaven; Kaz Shumpert of Booneville; and Benjamin Paske of Pass Christian. The Famous Maroon Band is part of the College of Education’s nationally accredited Department of Music.

Researchers address secondary-level STEM learning with $1.6 million NSF grant project
Mississippi State faculty members in the university’s colleges of Education, Arts and Sciences, and Bagley College of Engineering are receiving a $1.6 million National Science Foundation grant to develop teaching materials from weather data to help secondary students learn data analysis and interpretation. “Utilizing open-source, 3D visualization tools, the project will turn publicly available weather data into exciting secondary science learning experiences to improve both teachers’ and students’ comfort and competency in understanding data,” said principal investigator Yan Sun.

Mississippi State gains ARC grant to train students in cybersecurity, from K-12 to the workforce
A new $190,573 Appalachian Regional Commission grant will help Mississippi State prepare an additional 400 students for careers in computer science, cybersecurity and coding. Sarah Lee, principal investigator and MSU associate clinical professor of computer science and engineering, said Mississippi State and the Mississippi Coding Academies, are positioned to help the state pursue a new pathway to economic development through teaching cybersecurity skills. Complementary local sources are providing an additional $74,636, bringing the total project funding to $265,209.

Mississippi Horse Park’s Rotary Classic Rodeo receives regional Justin Boot Best Footing Award
Through a 20-year partnership between Mississippi State University, the city of Starkville and Oktibbeha County, the award-winning Mississippi Horse Park has become a nationally recognized destination for hundreds of diverse events, from roping and barrel racing to concerts and garden expos. On Dec. 5, the Horse Park’s Rotary Classic Rodeo will be honored with the Justin Boot Best Footing Award for the Southeastern Circuit during the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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.

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.

Zant to assume broader duties as Tuck retires
Veteran Mississippi State University Vice President Don A. Zant will assume broader duties in a campus reorganization plan unveiled by MSU President Mark E. Keenum after longtime Vice President for Campus Services Amy Tuck announced her retirement earlier this month. Also retiring this fall is longtime Assistant Vice President for Campus Services George Davis. Keenum said these retirements afford an opportunity to reevaluate administrative structures to maximize efficiencies and the university’s current goals. As part of the reorganization, current Division of Finance fiscal operations analyst Les Potts will be named associate vice president for administration.

Shaw highlights importance of research partnerships in testimony to U.S. Senate committee
Mississippi State University Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw highlighted the many ways federal research funding contributes to innovation and development during testimony on Capitol Hill last week. Shaw joined other national leaders in a hearing titled “Research and Innovation: Ensuring America’s Economic and Strategic Leadership,” convened by the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Science, Oceans, Fisheries and Weather. The subcommittee is part of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, which is chaired by Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi.

Goddard receives prestigious award
Jerome Goddard received the Felix J. Underwood Award from the Mississippi Public Health Association at its 82nd annual conference. Given to individuals who are dedicated to protecting Mississippians’ health, this award is the organization’s most prestigious honor. Goddard is an Extension professor of medical and veterinary entomology in the MSU Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology. He also is an affiliate faculty member at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.