Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Assistant Professor Glen Fulton speaks to a class about Mississippi State's new Master of Fine Arts in Historic Preservation. Approved by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, this new MFA is a terminal degree, one of the few degrees of its kind in the U.S. and the only graduate degree program in the College of Architecture, Art and Design. Open to undergraduates with degrees in design-related and non-design related undergraduate fields, the MFA focuses on historic preservation combined with preservation field studies. Enrollment in the program is now open for the spring 2022 semester. PHOTO: Robby Lozano | Public Affairs

University's Feed the Future projects gain global attention at Borlaug International Dialogue
A virtual side event at this year’s Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue has brought global attention to projects led by Mississippi State researchers. The Borlaug International Dialogue, held virtually last month, is an annual event bringing together over 1,200 people from more than 65 countries to address cutting-edge issues related to global food security and nutrition. It has been called the “premier conference in the world on global agriculture.” President Mark E. Keenum provided the opening address to the side event hosted by the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish. Of the 19 active projects in seven countries funded by the Fish Innovation Lab, two MSU faculty-led projects were highlighted during the event to demonstrate the innovative, sustainable approaches to ensuring access to aquatic foods for vulnerable groups.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Kate Altazan
Five years ago, Kate Altazan accepted the office associate position with the Extension Forestry program in Lamar County after a 15-year career in human resources at one of the largest companies in the world. “Immediately following my retirement, I started playing around with various art projects and other fun things but after about a year, I found myself missing the interaction with people that I constantly had in my previous job,” Altazan said. “I thought it was a great opportunity to learn something entirely new and meet new people.” In her role, she is responsible for coordinating the activities of the Firewise education program for multiple counties across the state. Administered through Extension, the program teaches homeowners who live in fire-sensitive areas about how to protect their property from fire.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Willie Elinburg
Willie Elinburg has worked in construction for nearly 20 years. So, when he heard there was an opening for a building maintenance technician at MSU, he knew it would be a perfect fit for him. “I’ve been doing this kind of work since I was 17 years old,” he said. “I heard about the opening from my brother who works for the university too. So, I applied.” For three years, Elinburg has been on the maintenance staff at the College of Veterinary Medicine. He is part of a team that handles all types of upkeep and improvements. The school’s buildings are undergoing a major renovation project. People want to come to work and have a functional, comfortable working environment. Being a part of providing that is rewarding work for Elinburg, he said.

Shipping sales suspended for MSU cheese holiday orders
Mississippi State has reached capacity for shipping holiday cheese. With two weeks remaining for ordering of MSU cheese for holiday shipping, a software system failure brought ordering to a halt. While still working to restore the customized system, pending orders have now placed shipping at full capacity. The MAFES Sales Store has suspended holiday shipping orders. It is anticipated that online sales will resume in January 2022. “We extend a heartfelt apology to our loyal customer base. Mississippi State University cheese has long been a holiday tradition, and this situation is disappointing to all of us at Mississippi State,” said Keith Coble, vice president for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine and MAFES interim director. “We expect to be back online in the new year, providing our signature farm-fresh dairy products to our long-distance customers.” The 15,000-plus orders already placed will be delivered as expected. For now, cheese is still available for purchase in store at the MAFES Sales Store and the Bulldog Shop in Meridian.

MSU Libraries announces new and improved Scholars Junction institutional repository
Mississippi State University Libraries is announcing the new and improved Scholars Junction, MSU's institutional repository. The new platform for Scholars Junction, Digital Commons, provides additional functionality for the repository to host open access journals, events and associated archival material, image galleries, books, usage statistics and more. In addition to serving as a repository of faculty and student scholarship and research, Scholars Junction also includes all MSU electronic theses and dissertations, materials digitized from University Archives and Special Collections, Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library collections and material from the Frank and Virginia Williams Collection of Lincolniana.

Reminders about MSU golf carts, low speed vehicles, side-by-sides, utility carts
All Mississippi State University golf carts, low speed vehicles, side-by-sides, utility carts, etc. are required to behave as a vehicle by only driving in an open roadway, obeying all traffic control devices, and parking in valid parking spaces. These vehicles, unless they have an approved or a work-related duty to be off-road are not to be driven or parked on sidewalks, landscaped or turfed areas, plazas, etc. No private vehicle may operate on campus without a state issued license plate or park on campus without a valid MSU parking permit. Given the recent policy change in the City of Starkville that allows golf carts and low speed vehicles to operate on city streets, all MSU vehicles are required to register with Parking and Transit Services and purchase a permit for $5. This permit will assist Parking and Transit Services and the University Police in being able to differentiate between official MSU vehicles and private vehicles and provide a point-of-contact and responsible party for MSU vehicles that are permitted to operate on campus. Beginning Dec. 1, any unregistered golf cart, low speed vehicle, side-by-side, utility cart, etc. that is operating or parked on campus will be immobilized with a boot and/or towed.

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.

University sees seventh consecutive year of enrollment growth
Mississippi State President Mark E. Keenum is calling the university’s seventh year of consecutive enrollment growth “extremely encouraging” in the wake of the state, region and nation navigating a global pandemic. MSU is up slightly this fall, recording a total of 23,086 students to surpass 2020’s headcount of 22,986. Keenum gives credit to MSU faculty and staff for their exceptional effort and creativity as they pivoted during challenging times to help ensure student success. “We’ve encountered a health crisis like none we’ve seen in our lifetime,” Keenum said. “Our employees have risen to the task and done a phenomenal job of finding meaningful ways to engage with, teach and assist our students. For this, I’m very grateful.”

Cobb Institute taps Boudreaux as new director of curation, cultural resources
Mississippi State’s Cobb Institute of Archaeology has appointed MSU alumnus and veteran scholar Edmond A. “Tony” Boudreaux III as director of curation, overseeing archaeological collections and cultural resources management. Boudreaux, who also is an associate professor in the Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures, joined MSU’s faculty earlier this fall. He previously served as the director of the Center for Archaeological Research at the University of Mississippi. “I could not be more excited that Dr. Tony Boudreaux has joined MSU, the Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures, and the Cobb Institute to direct our cultural resource management efforts in the institute’s service center,” said Jimmy Hardin, institute director.

Wood garners prestigious authorship appointment for comprehensive climate change report
A geosciences faculty member has been appointed by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (GCRP) to join the fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) as a chapter author for the U.S. government’s premier report on climate change impacts, risks and adaptation across the nation. Kimberly Wood, an assistant professor in the Department of Geosciences, was chosen by the GCRP for her expertise in hurricanes and climate change to help author the Southeast chapter of the annual report -- a congressionally mandated, interagency collaboration with experts from federal, state and local governments, as well as the academic, non-profit and private sectors. The NCA5 report will be available in late 2023 with multiple opportunities for public feedback prior to publication. More information is available at www.globalchange.gov.

Carl family remembers son with gift to MSU Athletics 
A gift to Mississippi State University Athletics from the Fred and Margaret Carl Foundation memorializes MSU alumnus Christopher Leflore Carl, who died on March 13, 2021. The gift, which supports Bulldog athletics, also renames gate G1 in the university’s Davis Wade Stadium in honor of the late alumnus. “Chris Carl spent a lifetime passionately supporting the Mississippi State Bulldogs,” said MSU Athletics Director John Cohen. “For decades, the Carl family has been so instrumental and generous to MSU academic and athletic programs that it is truly fitting that Chris Carl’s name should now live on at Davis Wade Stadium and Dudy Noble Field. When family, friends or fans visit one of these facilities, there will now be a part of Chris and his indomitable spirit right there with them.”

Coronavirus/COVID-19 information and resources