President Mark E. Keenum (top row, second from left) congratulates this year’s Donald W. Zacharias Distinguished Staff Award recipients. Pictured on the steps of Lee Hall, they include (top row, l-r) Bonner Whittington; (Keenum); Myra Keasler; Tina Green; (second row, l-r) Kylie Crosland; Alex Shook; (third row, l-r) Kate Sawaya; Libbi Havelin; Donna Beliech; Darlene Bush; (bottom row, l-r) Kamicca Brown-Lott and Tracy Craven. Not pictured is Tim Allison. PHOTO: Beth Wynn | Public Affairs
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Cori Speights
As an Extension Associate for a Row Crop Entomologist, Cori Speights spends the majority of her summer days in the field assisting in small-plot research aimed at understanding and controlling insect pests. Throughout the fall and the spring semesters, her team disseminates the information they collect across the state of Mississippi by hosting and attending conferences and county meetings. “It takes a village to get all our work done each year,” she said. “Without support from research and Extension colleagues, consultants, farmers, and numerous funding agencies we would not be successful. I love the support I feel working for Extension. All my colleagues feel like family.”
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Jamila Taylor
Jamila Taylor is the Director of the Head Start Program in Harrison County where she and her team serve children and their families on the coast in many ways. Her responsibilities include overseeing the entire program and the staff, and responding to community and family needs. “One thing about Head Start is that we are able to provide intense services for families as well,” she said. “We do family road maps for parents to help them get their GED or go back to school if they want. We want to help them provide for their families as best they can.”
Athletic Department awarded 2020 MBS Outstanding Achievement Award
Mississippi Blood Services is recognizing organizations that have gone “above and beyond” to help maintain a healthy blood supply in the state, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. MBS recently recognized the MSU Athletic Department and Bulldog Sports Properties with the Mississippi Blood Services 2020 Outstanding Achievement Award. “The changing climate in which MBS operates, and even how the organization had to deal with the pandemic, did not stop the need for blood and blood products. However, it did present an entirely new set of challenges. The MSU Athletic Department stepped up in a major way to help us during the pandemic. Not only were they eager to hold blood drives on campus (with record numbers), but they also promoted any blood drive that was hosted in the Starkville area.”
MSU Golf Course offering summer membership special for students, faculty and staff
The Mississippi State University Golf Course is offering a membership special for MSU students, faculty and staff. The $550 special includes unlimited golf green fee and golf car fees for the entire summer semester. A green fee only option is available for $300. Membership will be valid from May 10-Aug. 8. For more information, stop by the golf shop or contact PGA Head Golf Professional Tim Basel at 662-325-3028 or tbasel@business.msstate.edu.
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.
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.
