Miles Ennis, an unmanned aircraft systems maintenance technician with the Raspet Flight Research Laboratory, stands behind a UAS in early September during a pre-flight safety check at George M. Bryan Airport in Starkville. As remnants of Hurricane Ida exited Mississippi, two MSU research groups collected aerial imagery of the rain-soaked Golden Triangle region to aid NOAA’s National Weather Service in fine-tuning future flood forecasts. In collaboration with the Northern Gulf Institute, Raspet researchers flew this unmanned aircraft system, or UAS, across portions of Oktibbeha, Clay, Monroe and Lowndes counties, including along the Tombigbee River, during a two-day window. Equipped with a multiple sensor payload, these UAS missions enable near real-time data transmission to NOAA’s National Weather Service, River Forecast Centers, and emergency management personnel. PHOTO: Chris Bryant | Raspet
MSU Class Ring Days this week
The class ring tradition is a great way to show the world how you are a proud alumnus or alumna 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. This year's MSU Ring Days are coming up Sept. 27 through Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hunter Henry Center. If you are unable to purchase your ring in person during Ring Days, you are welcome to place an order for your ring at any time by contacting the MSU Alumni Association. 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 662-325-7000.
Employees should review coverage in preparation for benefits open enrollment in October
Mississippi State University faculty and staff should review their existing coverage in preparation for benefits open enrollment during the month of October. You may review your current coverage and deductions in your MyState account. The HRM website provides an overview of benefits. You may access our website at https://www.hrm.msstate.edu/benefits. Open enrollment is for the election of new coverage and changing or dropping existing coverage. The appropriate form(s) must be completed and submitted to your Benefits Specialist no later than Friday, October 29, 2021. If you do not want to add additional coverage or make changes to your existing coverage, no further action is required for your benefits to continue in 2022.
Applications open for 2022 university teaching awards
The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President is now accepting applications for the 2022 Grisham Master Teacher Awards, Donald Zacharias Early Career Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Awards and the MSU Alumni Association Graduate and/or Professional Teaching Awards. Interested faculty must submit an electronic application in PDF form to the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President at grishamaward@provost.msstate.edu by October 21, 2021 if their teaching can only be observed in the Fall 2021 semester or by November 18, 2021 if their teaching can be observed in the Spring 2022 semester. All current full-time faculty members at Mississippi State University with the required years of service, regardless of rank, are eligible to apply for these awards. Late applications will not be accepted.
Faculty and staff invited to learn more about Mississippi Center for Clinical and Translational Research opportunities
The Office of Research and Economic Development invites faculty and staff to the following seminar: Mississippi Center for Clinical and Translational Research: Research Resources and Funding Opportunities, featuring Dr. Joey Granger, Principal Investigator and MCCTR director, UMMC, on Oct. 4 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. via WebEx. Participants will learn about opportunities for pilot grants, mentor development, and community engagement training supported by a new 5-year NIH-funded partnership between MSU, UMMC, and other universities in Mississippi.
CDE fall panel series focuses on online teaching and learning
In March of 2020, the entire world got a taste of what it means to be "online." However, long before that time, the world of online learning and teaching has been a thriving campus at Mississippi State University. An upcoming Center for Distance Education panel series will feature various experts about what it truly means to teach and learn online, traditionally, and not just as an emergency measure. Join us to learn about what it means to be online at MSU. Panels will be held in Memorial Hall, Coskrey Auditorium and available via WebEx. Each session will be 2-3 p.m. CST. Visit https://forms.gle/hXTQG3qwRbAxMXmX8 to register.
ORED adds financial incentive for faculty writing for The Conversation
Mississippi State University's partnership with The Conversation allows faculty to communicate research to a broad audience online at https://theconversation.com/us and beyond. The Conversation publishes faculty-written articles under a Creative Commons license, meaning that other news sources can republish The Conversation’s content. Publishing your work in The Conversation communicates MSU’s scholarly activities to wider audiences and increases the public’s understanding about the types of work being done at MSU. In order to recognize the importance of sharing research with a wide variety of audiences MSU's Office of Research and Economic Development will provide a $500 incentive for any MSU faculty member whose work is successfully published in The Conversation.
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.
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.
