Mary Graham, president of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and other MGCCC officials met with Mark E. Keenum, MSU president, and university leaders last week on the Starkville campus to discuss on-going collaborations and further enhancing the partnership between the two. She also spoke to MSU students enrolled in the Community College Presidential Scholars course. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs
Mississippi Blood Services hosting campus blood drive Tuesday
Members of the Mississippi State University campus community are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and help save lives by participating in an upcoming blood drive on Tuesday [Sept. 15] from noon to 5 p.m. The Mississippi Blood Services donor coach will be set up in the soccer field parking lot next to the Hunter Henry Center. All successful donations will receive a free COVID-19 antibody test. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged.
State’s only university-directed professional psychology internship receives APA accreditation
The American Psychological Association is recognizing Mississippi State’s Student Counseling Services internship with “accredited, on contingency” status as the only university-directed program for doctoral students in the state. Also one of only five such internships at any institution or agency in the Magnolia State, MSU’s program is regarded by the APA’s Commission on Accreditation as being in “substantial compliance” with the organization’s accreditation standards. Contingency status means the young program must provide outcome data for program trainees and graduates moving forward.
MSU Class Ring Days this week
The class ring tradition is a great way to show the world how you are a proud alumni of Mississippi State University. The unique design makes it an easily recognized symbol that links all generations of Bulldog graduates, whether from two or sixty-two years ago. MSU Class Ring Days will be held Monday [Sept. 14] through Friday [Sept. 18] from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hunter Henry Center. MSU Ring Days are a time on campus specifically set aside for those who would like to purchase an MSU class ring in person. Please note that face coverings are required. Sign up is available at www.signupgenius.com/go/409054ea4a72aa75-msuclass. If you have any questions or would like to order your MSU Class Ring today, please contact Jordan Ramsey at jramsey@alumni.msstate.edu or 662-325-3479.
Nominations now open for MSU’s Grisham Master Teacher Award, Alumni Association Teaching Excellence Awards
The University Instructional Improvement Committee is announcing the call for nominations for the 2021 Grisham Master Teacher Award, 2021 Alumni Association Early Career Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award and 2021 Alumni Association Graduate and/or Professional Teaching Excellence Award. All submissions must meet the deadline of Oct. 15. Interested faculty must submit an electronic application in PDF form to the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President via email to grishamaward@provost.msstate.edu.
ORED, Stennis Institute hosting four-part training series on advancing team science
Mississippi State University's Office of Research and Economic Development and the Stennis Institute of Government are hosting a four-part training series this fall focused on advancing team science. Topics for the virtual sessions, free to all MSU faculty and staff members, include Creating a Space for Collaboration (Sept. 16), Linking and Leveraging Expertise and Resources (Oct. 8), Defining Success and Finding a Starting Point (Oct. 21), and Getting Everyone to Take Action Together (Nov. 12). To register for the series, visit https://www.research.msstate.edu/initiatives/seminars.
Apply for the 2020 MSU Excellence in Community Engagement Awards
Applications for the 2020 MSU Excellence in Community Engagement Awards are now available at https://tinyurl.com/MSUCEAwardapp. The MSU CE Awards recognize outstanding accomplishment in community engagement in the categories of Community-Engaged Service; Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning; Community- Engaged Research; and Scholarship of Engagement. The most outstanding example of a current community engagement project or program in each of the four areas will receive a $3,000 award to further community engagement efforts within Mississippi State’s threefold mission of teaching, research and service.
Take steps to reduce pandemic litter
Increased littering of single-use items related to the novel coronavirus pandemic, including masks, gloves, and disinfecting wipes, has troubling consequences for the environment. When trash is not properly disposed of, it makes its way into watersheds, where it travels by water flow from rivers and streams into the ocean. Eric Sparks, assistant professor with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and director of the Coastal Marine Extension Program, said the rise in the use of protective items is natural because of health concerns. “The increase in personal protective equipment and other items, like takeout containers and bottled water, is rampant as people take precautions,” Sparks said. “That makes it even more important to minimize single-use or disposable plastic items when you can and dispose of these items properly.”
Census Bureau shortens deadline from Oct. 31 to Sept. 30, sounding alarm for Mississippi
Mississippi is responding to a surprise decision announced Aug. 3 by the U.S. Census Bureau to shorten the census deadline by one month, from Oct. 31 to Sept. 30. “I challenge everyone in the Mississippi State University family to register and ‘be counted’ for the census,” said Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum. “An accurate census count puts Mississippi in line for the maximum return of federal investment back into our state for things like highways, education, and healthcare.”
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 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.
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.
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.
