"The New Magnolia” Mississippi state flag approved by state voters on Nov. 3 is now flying over the G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans, as well as other locations on campus. PHOTO: Beth Wynn | Public Affairs
Paz earns alumni award from University of the Philippines Los Baños
Joel Paz, a professor in Mississippi State University’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, has been recognized as a top alumnus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Paz has been named as the 2020 College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology Distinguished Alumnus by the UPLB Alumni Association. He was selected for this award because of extensive research, teaching awards, published journal articles, and involvement in the Extension Service at MSU. Paz attended UPLB from 1985 to 1989, where he received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural engineering. He received his Ph.D. in agricultural engineering and water resources from Iowa State University in 2000.
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Amber Box
Amber Box started her career as a student worker for the College of Veterinary Medicine. Her job now is to schedule appointments, work in patient care, and teach the veterinary students at MSU. “My favorite part of the job is getting to work with all species of animals,” she said. “Every day is different and exciting.” She has always been passionate about animals, and this role lets her share her passion with the future veterinary medicine practitioners. Amber is specifically interested in horses, and they are her favorite animals to work with and see at the Animal Health Center.
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Erica Williams
Erica Williams works as an assistant teacher at the East Biloxi Head Start Center. In the mornings, she assists with escorting the children to their classes after arrival. She helps motivate them to be ready to learn. “In my own classroom, I try to make each child feel warm and welcome by asking how their mornings are going or about their day before,” Erica said. “Throughout the day I implement lessons that the children will need for years to come.” Her favorite memory was her first day on the job. She loves that her job gives her the honor to mold and nurture the minds of young children, who will become the state’s future leaders.
CAVS-Extension launches Delta BroadReach Healthcare project
Mississippi State University’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems-Extension is launching a new healthcare initiative in the Mississippi Delta with $803,058 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. The funding will be used to establish the Delta BroadReach Healthcare project, which will train healthcare professionals, telehealth providers and entry-level emergency medical technicians. CAVS-E Project Manager John Moore is the principal investigator on the grant, with Lean Healthcare Deployment Coordinator Susan Moore and Project Coordinator Debbie Miller serving as co-principal investigators. “The Delta BroadReach Healthcare project is expected to provide a significant positive impact for healthcare facilities and individuals and to help narrow the gap in healthcare in the Mississippi service region,” said CAVS-Extension Director Glenn Dennis.
MSU, EMCC’s Communiversity partner to study wearable technology in industry settings
Mississippi State University and East Mississippi Community College are working together to understand the barriers to, and potential benefits of, wearable technology in industry settings. A team from MSU with representation from the university’s James Worth Bagley College of Engineering, National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center, and Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems is working with EMCC Communiversity Director Courtney Taylor on the National Science Foundation-funded project. Reuben Burch, associate director of human factors and athlete engineering at MSU’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, said the team will be using the technology acceptance model to study potential benefits and drawbacks in industrial settings.
Testing waivers for Graduate School, College of Education continue into new year
As prospective college students continue to navigate admissions and enrollment processes in a relentless and lingering pandemic, Mississippi State continues its student support into the new year with testing waivers. Students applying to MSU’s Graduate School will have the GMAT and GRE tests waived in many of the university’s on-campus and online programs. Also, those applying for entrance into many of the College of Education’s teacher training programs or working toward teacher certification will have testing waived as defined by the Mississippi State Board of Education. Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw said, “We hope the waiver of these testing requirements gives prospective students one less thing to worry about as we look to the start of the new year. Our faculty and staff are looking forward to welcoming students as they begin academic programs in 2021.”
Student-Athlete Development concludes fall with strong slate of programs
With a continued commitment to the holistic growth of all Mississippi State student-athletes, the Student-Athlete Development office finished the fall semester with a strong slate of programs during the month of October. "Our fall programming exceeded expectations," said Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Development Briana Vaughn. "Webex has become our best friend, and we have found ways to maneuver and facilitate our programs in an engaging way. We focused on providing relatable, engaging, critically thinking and immediately applicable content in our programs and on social media for our student-athletes throughout this semester."
Construction: Use caution at the intersection of Bailey Howell Drive and Lee Boulevard
On Friday [Nov. 6] beginning at 7 a.m., the intersection of Bailey Howell Drive and Lee Boulevard will become a four-way stop when the traffic signals are removed as part of the East Road (Bulldog Way) construction project. Caution should be given to the new south leg of the intersection, which will serve as the primary entrance for construction traffic entering the road site. New traffic signals will be installed over the next several months and, as the construction process will allow, be turned on with full intersection function and use expected in September 2021.
‘Look Up and Look Out’ pedestrian safety campaign launched as fall season brings shorter days, less daylight
“Look Up and Look Out” is a new pedestrian safety awareness campaign at Mississippi State aimed to show students that being more attentive when crossing campus roads can be a life-saving part of their day. The social media campaign, posted by the MSU Division of Student Affairs, runs through the month of November. Injuries, and even fatalities, are caused by three main violations on campuses across the nation. These are failing to use marked crosswalks, not looking up from cell phones and not looking out for cars, motorcycles and bicycles. “Look Up and Look Out” also includes the placement of campaign signs at campus crosswalks during November, social media videos and graphics, and a new website.
University offering winter session Dec. 1-Jan. 4
For the first time in more than a decade, Mississippi State University is offering a winter session to help students advance in their academic journeys and earn credits on an accelerated schedule. With the launch of MSU’s comprehensive “Winter Express,” students at every level can choose from an updated, expanded selection of more than 200 online courses that begin Dec. 1 and conclude Jan. 4. By enrolling in Winter Express, students can get a head start on the spring 2021 semester, finish core course requirements, take classes within majors, or pick up extra credits to accelerate graduation. They also can explore new subject areas, concentrate on difficult courses, and benefit from smaller classes taught by MSU’s world-class faculty.
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 complete policy is available at www.policies.msstate.edu/policy/91301.
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