Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Adam Collins, a research engineer at the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems Extension in Canton, runs a coordinate-measuring machine to check the dimensions of a metal version of the Mississippi State logo. The machine uses a probe to touch the surface of a part at key points and collect measurement data which also can be used to check dimensional accuracy. PHOTO: Robby Lozano | Public Affairs

MSU, Kansas State, NIST partner for UAS search and rescue competition
Participants are invited to compete for up to $720,000 in prizes in an unmanned aircraft system design and build challenge co-managed by a Mississippi State University flight laboratory. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology, known as NIST, is hosting the competition to advance the use of unmanned aircraft systems in first responder search-and-rescue operations. Known as the First Responder UAS Triple Challenge, the contest is managed by Kansas State University, in partnership with MSU’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory. “Unmanned aircraft systems are increasingly revolutionizing various aspects of society, including how emergency responders do their jobs,” said Tom Brooks, MSU Raspet director. “Mississippi State welcomes the opportunity to bring our UAS experience to support this competition that is sure to advance technologies available to public safety professionals.”

MSU creates precision tool to improve forest management
An assistant research professor in Mississippi State’s Department of Forestry is leading a collaborative team in creating a precision tool to help increase profits for timber producers and wood-mill consumers. Bruno da Silva, also a scientist in the university’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center, is studying timber supply modeling as part of a $100,000 grant awarded by International Paper, one of the world’s leading producers of fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper. Shaun Tanger, assistant professor at MSU’s Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi, is also on the project and looks forward to seeing how the model will help him as a forestry specialist. The team aims to design a model that is user-friendly and freely available. Once the finishing touches are made to the model’s programming, the app will be available for download.

Friday deadline for Faculty Leadership Program applications
Mississippi State University's Office of Research and Economic Development is currently accepting applications for the 2021-2022 Faculty Leadership Program. Interested faculty members that meet eligibility criteria can submit applications through Friday [July 30]. The Faculty Leadership Program is designed for faculty who have aspirations of becoming an administrator or who simply want to improve their personal leadership skills. Many past participants have been successful and serve in key leadership positions at the university today.

Register today for New Faculty Orientation
Mississippi State University's Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President is hosting New Faculty Orientation on Aug. 17 at The Mill Conference Center, 100 Mercantile St., Starkville. Parking is available in the parking deck behind the center. Attendance is mandatory for all new full-time instructors, clinical, tenured and tenure-track faculty. Business casual attire is recommended. This face-to-face orientation will be livestreamed for those uncomfortable attending in person and/or who are not located on main campus. The orientation session will begin at 7:45 a.m. with a light breakfast. Lunch will be served at noon, and orientation will conclude around 3 p.m. This face-to-face orientation will be livestreamed for those uncomfortable attending in person and/or who are not located on main campus. Please click here to register.

International Institute shares passport reminders
Mississippi State's International Institute is encouraging all students and faculty who are considering travel within the next six months to apply or renew (if needed) their passport now. Current U.S. passport processing times are significantly longer than normal, so it is more important than ever that you plan early. First-time passport applications and renewals are taking up to 18 weeks for routine service and up to 12 weeks for expedited service (additional $60). If you aren't sure if you need to renew your passport, check the expiration date and make sure it is valid for six months after the end of your potential travel dates. Additionally, keep in mind that if your travel requires a visa, you often need to send your passport to the embassy to receive your visa prior to travel.

Tours galore: Welcome Center resuming campus visits for individuals and groups
As pandemic restrictions are eased, Mississippi State University’s Welcome Center is resuming personalized individual and group tours of the Starkville campus this summer. Tours are open to all age groups and should be scheduled two weeks in advance. Guided campus tours, as well as historical and children’s tours and self-guided walking tours, are among those available. Each tour is led by a trained student volunteer with MSU’s Maroon VIP program. Tours are conducted Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To view tour options or schedule a visit, go to visit.msstate.edu, call 662-325-5198 or email visit@pres.msstate.edu. “While the MSU admissions office takes care of scheduling prospective student tours, the Welcome Center is here to enlighten visitors on the historical and visual aspects of our beautiful campus,” said Cristi Stevens, coordinator of MSU’s Welcome Center.

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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McCall named director of MSU CAVS Extension
Tonya G. McCall is now leading a Mississippi State University center that supports the state’s manufacturing industry. McCall began her duties as director of MSU’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems Extension following the retirement of former director Glenn Dennis in late June. McCall brings 25 years of combined engineering experience in the aerospace, plant construction, home appliance and automotive industries. She previously served as associate director for CAVS Extension, which has created a $6.2 billion economic impact in Mississippi since 2006. “Tonya is well-prepared to lead the excellent team at CAVS Extension as the center continues to make a substantial impact for Mississippi’s manufacturing sector,” said MSU Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan.

Sparks named interim State Chemist, director of Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory
Darrell Sparks has been named interim State Chemist and director of the Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory, pending confirmation from the Mississippi Senate. Sparks has served as associate State Chemist since 2017 and also is an associate professor in MSU’s Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology. The Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory is a state-funded agency housed on the MSU campus. Sparks succeeds Ashli Brown, who recently was named associate vice president of MSU’s Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine. “The Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory provides a critical service to several key industries in Mississippi,” said MSU Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan. “Dr. Sparks is well-prepared to lead MSCL and maintain the excellent service the lab’s stakeholders rely on.”

MSU-led Northern Gulf Institute receives up to $86 million from NOAA for Gulf of Mexico research
The Mississippi State University-led Northern Gulf Institute is receiving up to $86 million to continue its strategic research in the Gulf of Mexico. The funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will support the institute’s operations and research for the next five years. A NOAA Cooperative Institute, NGI develops, operates and maintains an increasingly integrated research and transition program, the results of which raise awareness and understanding of the Gulf region. “The Northern Gulf Institute is a great example of the impactful partnerships we have built and continue to build as a university,” said MSU Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan. “This commitment from NOAA is a testament to the value NGI brings to the Gulf Coast region, and I look forward to seeing the exciting research and outreach programs still to come from Director Robert Moorhead and his team.”