Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

The Epsilon Eta chapter of Alpha Delta Pi at Mississippi State University celebrated the dedication of the chapter’s new house on campus with a ceremony on April 17. MSU President Mark E. Keenum and First Lady Rhonda Keenum, an alumna of the chapter, were among those joining the celebration. The 17,500-square-foot sorority facility on Robert Louis Jones Circle will house 44 residents and serve meals to all chapter members. Alpha Delta Pi was first established at Mississippi State University in 1966 and enjoyed close to 20 years on campus before departing. The chapter was reestablished at MSU in 2013 and has grown to be a vibrant member of the fraternity and sorority community. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs

Shackouls Honors College dean, beloved late English faculty member recognized with Wolverton Legacy Awards
Mississippi State’s College of Arts and Sciences this month is honoring the current dean of the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College, along with posthumously honoring a former English department faculty member. Christopher A. Snyder, dean of the Shackouls Honors College and professor in the Department of History, and the late Wendy Herd, a former associate professor in the Department of English who died in 2020, are this year’s Robert E. Wolverton Legacy Award recipients. Six additional research and teaching awards also are recognizing faculty members Catherine Pierce, Kimberly M. Wood, Molly K. Zuckerman, Raymond E. Barranco, Scott J. DiGiulio and Whitnee Nettles for their scholarly achievements and commitments to the university.

Pfizer vaccine first and second doses available for MSU students, employees
Mississippi State University students and employees who received their first Pfizer dose are encouraged to register for their second shot. The second shot should be received 3-6 weeks after the first and is necessary to achieve the maximum level of protection. Second dose appointments can be scheduled at https://covidvaccine.msstate.edu for April 26, 27, 28 and May 3. If you have not received a vaccine and would like to set an appointment, visit https://covidvaccine.msstate.edu your first dose of Pfizer for April 29 or 30. The second dose will need to be received in 3-6 weeks.

Registration open for virtual Staff Appreciation Day
Registration is open for Mississippi State’s virtual Staff Appreciation Day event on May 7. This year’s Staff Appreciation Day will be held from 10 a.m.-noon and will include recognition of the 2021 Zacharias Distinguished Staff Award winners, virtual Bingo and door prize winners. Online registration can be completed at https://w.msstate.edu/staffcouncil/staff-appreciation-day. Participants must register to participate in Bingo and be entered to win a door prize. The deadline to register is May 3 at 5 p.m. Those without registration access are encouraged to contact their supervisor for assistance.

Reminder: University policy addresses employee political activity
With political campaigning underway for local elections, Mississippi State's Office of General Counsel offers the following reminder of the university’s policy on political activities. There are several basic guidelines that university employees should keep in mind when engaging in any form of political activity. MSU employees are encouraged to review OP 01.14: Political Activities in its entirety and to understand their rights and responsibilities.

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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Governor appoints Pierce as Mississippi’s Poet Laureate
Gov. Tate Reeves has appointed accomplished poet and educator Catherine Pierce of Starkville as Mississippi’s Poet Laureate. Serving as the official state poet for a term of four years, the state’s Poet Laureate creates and reads appropriate poetry at state occasions, promotes literacy and represents the rich cultural heritage of Mississippi. An English professor at Mississippi State University, Pierce co-directs MSU's creative writing program and has published four books of poems and a chapbook. MSU President Mark E. Keenum said, “I am so very proud of Dr. Catherine Pierce for earning this designation from Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves and the Mississippi Arts Commission."

American Geophysical Union names Shaw general secretary
Mississippi State University Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw has been named general secretary of the American Geophysical Union. AGU is a global network of scientists working across disciplines in Earth and space science. As general secretary of the organization, Shaw will serve on the board and executive committee, as well as chair the finance and investment committee. “David has the financial experience as well as consensus building and leadership skills we are looking for as AGU implements a new strategic plan and navigates a world still dealing with a pandemic,” AGU Past President Robin Bell said in an announcement.

Gurbuz garners NSF CAREER award for research to advance smart sensing systems
An assistant professor in Mississippi State University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is being recognized for his early career success and impactful research with a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER award. Ali Gurbuz is receiving $500,000 to support his research developing sophisticated smart sensing systems, which have the potential to improve the data collected and processed by everything from autonomous vehicles to precision agriculture to medical imaging machines. “The collaboration and the facilities in our department and university are really at a high level,” Gurbuz said.

Green to lead MSU-based Southern Rural Development Center
John J. Green is bringing a career immersed in Southern sociology and community development to his new position as director of the Southern Rural Development Center headquartered at Mississippi State University. “Dr. Green brings a unique set of skills to the SRDC,” said Keith Coble, vice president of the MSU Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine. “He has previously served on the board of directors for the SRDC and understands the unique role it plays in the region. We also thank Steve Turner for his years of leadership at the SRDC and wish him well as he plans retirement.” Green, an MSU graduate, will become director of the SRDC on Aug. 1.

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