Famous Maroon Band members march in the annual Starkville Christmas Parade downtown on Nov. 29. MSU Baseball Head Coach Chris Lemonis and coaching staff members of the 2021 NCAA National Championship team served as Grand Marshal, and MSU retiree Mike Goree was honored for his 35th year participating as Santa in this annual holiday tradition. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs
MSU horticulture experts to hold book signings, holiday décor demonstrations in Meridian, Starkville
Mississippi State University horticulture experts will spread holiday cheer with book signings and floral design demonstrations in Meridian and Starkville this week. The authors of “The Promise of Good Things – Floral Design for the Fall and Winter Holiday Season” will share their expertise at the Bulldog Shop and Coffee Counter at MSU-Meridian’s Riley Campus from 2-3 p.m. on Friday [Dec. 10], and at the Barnes and Noble bookstore on MSU’s Starkville campus on Saturday [Dec. 11], from 1-2 p.m. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at both events. Produced by the MSU Extension Service, the book is a catalogue of floral design ideas for the fall and winter holidays. With decorations from baskets to wreaths to centerpieces, readers can find plenty of inspiration to spruce up their holiday settings. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at both events.
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Stacia Johnson
As a Head Start teacher, Stacia Johnson is responsible for the day-to-day instruction of the 4-year-olds in her Biloxi classroom. She makes sure they are engaged in activities that nurture their curiosity and love for learning, as well as making sure they feel safe while advancing physically, socially, and cognitively. She says teaching is something she’s always known she was created to do. “Some people have a certain career in mind when they are younger and that changes as time goes on,” Johnson said.” But for me, teaching has always been a passion of mine, and I knew that would never change. I’ve had many teachers throughout my life that taught me so much and want to apply it in my daily life. I’m the teacher I am today because of my former teachers.”
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Julie White
For Julie White, teaching children about farming is second nature. She is the coordinator of the FARMtastic program and liaison for the GrOW, or Gardening and Overall Wellness, program with the Starkville Oktibbeha County School District. As a farmer herself, she is well-suited to educate Mississippi’s children about agriculture. “In our family, farming is more than just a tradition,” White said. “It is truly a way of life. There is nothing better than watching baby calves run across the pastures. My husband and I are raising our children the way we were raised. We are teaching our children how to take care of the land and animals that have been entrusted to them.
FOX Weather establishes scholarship for meteorology students
A recent partnership with FOX News Media will benefit students studying meteorology in Mississippi State University’s Department of Geosciences through newly created scholarship opportunities. The commitment from FOX Weather, a network subsidiary, has established the FOX Weather Endowed Scholarship and the FOX Weather Annual Scholarship to further increase diversity and expand opportunities for academic success in the field of meteorology. In addition to the scholarship, FOX Weather also will provide an internship position along with a dedicated mentor for recipients throughout their college experience. The inaugural FOX Weather scholarship recipient will be awarded for the 2022-23 academic year.
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.
