Mississippi State leaders breaking ground on a new Music Building last Monday [June 15] include, from left, Dean of the College of Education Richard Blackbourn; Department of Music Professor and Head Barry Kopetz; MSU President Mark E. Keenum; Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw; Vice President for Development and Alumni John Rush; and Vice President for Finance and Administration Don Zant. The $21 million project will provide a new space for the Department of Music, part of MSU’s College of Education. The 37,000-square-foot facility, projected for completion in the fall of 2021, includes classrooms, a choral rehearsal hall, faculty offices, sound-proof practice rooms, recording studio, lecture/recital hall, student lounge and administrative suite. PHOTO: Logan Kirkland | Public Affairs
Gore among newly appointed members of the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities federal advisory committee
A Mississippi State University research professor is a newly appointed member to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Committee. U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler and U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) announced last week the appointment of Jeffrey Gore, one of 33 new committee members. Gore, an entomologist with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and MSU Extension, is based at Mississippi State’s Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville. Established in 2008, the FRRCC provides independent policy advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities.
Fred Carl Jr. Small Town Center gains architect
Mississippi State’s Fred Carl Jr. Small Town Center is welcoming Architect and Community Planner Fran Pharis to its team. A 2008 Mississippi State University School of Architecture alumna and licensed architect in Mississippi, Pharis previously worked at several private architecture firms, as well as for a company specializing in water purification systems and with a government contractor. She recently assisted in teaching an MSU landscape architecture design studio course. While a student in MSU’s School of Architecture, Pharis worked at the Carl Small Town Center and even volunteered there after graduating. “My time as a student worker impacted how I thought about communities and their need for good, thoughtful design,” she said. “Design should be accessible to everyone and every community regardless of socioeconomic status, history and life circumstances.”
'Extension Engage!' webinars available on Canvas
Mississippi State’s Extension Service is offering “Extension Engage!” webinars via the Canvas platform. Faculty and staff can access all recorded sessions on Canvas for self-directed study. In-service credit is available for those who watch the videos and complete the related quizzes or assignments for individual sessions. For more information, contact Marina Denny, MSU School of Human Sciences assistant professor, Extension specialist and MSU Extension Apprenticeship Program director, at mdd269@msstate.edu.
Human Resources Management launching new leadership program
The Office of Human Resources Management is launching the Leadership Development Program (LDP). The LDP is a 9-month program designed for professional staff who are committed to developing their leadership skills. The LDP empowers new supervisors and high performing employees with a heightened self-awareness, advanced knowledge, and value-added leadership in a secure, and challenging environment. For more information, please visit http://hrm.msstate.edu/development/programs/ldp or contact Darrell Easley at 662-325-2203 or deasley@hrm.msstate.edu.
Looking for a way to help? Give to the MSU Student Relief Fund
The Mississippi State University community continually exhibits a great sense of responsibility and caring for enrolled students that make the land-grant institution such a special place. The MSU Student Relief Fund, built with private gifts, helps those members of the student body affected with day-to-day crises or like now, the impact to their daily lives posed by COVID-19. The Dean of Students' Office assesses needs and administers the fund for acute crises that may impact students’ ability to succeed academically. The funds have a direct impact on students in extenuating circumstances in order to help them achieve their academic success. The MSU Foundation accepts gifts year-round for the MSU Student Relief Fund. Contributions for this effort can be made online or by contacting the Annual Giving office at (662) 325-2466.
SMART route changes in effect during COVID-19 pandemic to protect riders and staff
As Starkville-MSU Area Rapid Transit continues to evaluate the best ways to protect transit riders and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, service is being limited (one bus per route) to the following routes: Boardtown North, Boardtown South, Old Main, Highway 12, Sportsplex and Paratransit. Routes will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and will be limited to nine passengers per bus. Routes will stop from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for cleaning and spraying of all buses.
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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