Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State’s distinction as one of the nation’s leading universities in agriculture research brought prominent ag advocates to the Starkville campus last week. U.S. Senator and former Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith, third from left, Dr. Ranveer Chandra, Microsoft Corporation Chief Technology Officer and Managing Director for Research, center, and Hyde-Smith’s Mississippi Director Umesh Sanjanwala, third from right, toured university agriculture-related research initiatives and discussed with administrators how MSU’s research capabilities could benefit Microsoft’s FarmBeats program. MSU leaders welcoming them were Keith Coble, Vice President of the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Julie Jordan, Vice President for Research and Economic Development; President Mark E. Keenum; and David Shaw, Provost and Executive Vice President. PHOTO: Robby Lozano | Public Affairs

Bulldog Bundle course material program targets increased student success at MSU
Starting a new semester is getting easier and more affordable at Mississippi State University, thanks to a new course material program designed to increase student success. With the launch of Bulldog Bundle, undergraduates now have access to all required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes, digital materials and electronic books in a convenient bundle before the first day of class at average student savings of between 35-50%. “Our students spoke about the challenges of textbook affordability, and we listened,” said MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt. “Introducing Bulldog Bundle will ensure that students are better prepared for the academic term while providing significant cost savings on required course materials. Ultimately, it’s a solution that will lead to improved academic outcomes and greater student success.”

MSU selected to participate in EcoCAR EV Challenge
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), General Motors and MathWorks announced last Friday [April 22] the 15 North American universities selected for the EcoCAR EV Challenge, the next DOE-sponsored Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition (AVTC). Mississippi State University has earned a spot as one of the 15 universities to participate in this prestigious series. “This year, the selection process was highly competitive due to the number of outstanding applications we received from universities, big and small, across the U.S and Canada,” said Kristen Wahl, director of the AVTC Program at Argonne National Lab. “We are excited for the invitation to be part of the EcoCAR EV Challenge. This project exemplifies the work that we do at Mississippi State University, and I am so proud of our students for their leadership and hard work,” said Jason Keith, dean of MSU's Bagley College of Engineering.

Department of Geosciences, Partnership Middle School install interactive weather station, help students become ‘citizen scientists’
Mississippi State’s Department of Geosciences, in collaboration with the Partnership Middle School -- Starkville Oktibbeha County School District’s sixth and seventh grades -- last week officially have opened an interactive weather station to help students better understand how air masses and frontal boundaries affect daily weather. Barrett F. Gutter and Sarah R. Lalk, both assistant clinical professors in MSU’s Department of Geosciences, have worked with the Partnership Middle School in developing the system, which contains a variety of meteorological instruments including a thermometer, barometer, rain gauge, sling psychrometer, anemometer and wind vane. Amanda Tullos, MSU’s director of the Partnership Middle School and education liaison in the Office of Research and Economic Development, said partnerships of this nature benefit local youth by connecting resources and experts to all students through their normal school day and classroom instruction.

ITS continuing software-patching solution deployment this week
Mississippi State University Information Technology Services will continue deploying a third-party software-patching application to Windows-based desktop computer this week. The rollout of KACE, an application that patches software applications including Firefox, Chrome and others, will continue Tuesday [April 26] after the application was introduced to some departments’ Windows-based computers in a previous phrase. The KACE rollout will continue for the remaining units on campus that are supported by ITS. Microsoft products will continue to be patched using the built-in Windows Update Service. Users may delay patching as needed but patching is required. If you have any questions, please contact the ITS Service Desk at (662) 325-0631 or servicedesk@msstate.edu.

MSU Athlete Engineering Summit to highlight how collaboration improves human performance
An upcoming conference hosted by Mississippi State University will highlight the ways unique collaborations can cultivate human performance success. The inaugural Athlete Engineering Summit will be held May 11-12 at East Mississippi Community College’s Communiversity. Organized by MSU’s Athlete Engineering research group, the conference theme is “Secret Sauce: Sharing how unique collaborations collide to cultivate human performance success.” MSU alumnus Dr. Allen Sills, chief medical officer for the National Football League, will serve as keynote speaker for the conference. In addition to Sills, speakers include representatives from professional sports teams such as the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Brewers; industry partners such as PACCAR, Toyota and Camgian; and sports performance professionals from multiple universities, including MSU.

Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program underway
Mississippi State has a long association with the Fulbright Scholar Program with over 50 MSU faculty from a variety of disciplines having received Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards since 1954. MSU has also welcomed many international scholars to our campus through the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program. The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program recently opened its 2023-24 competition with over 400 awards in 130 countries featured in the Catalog of Awards, which includes teaching, researching and professional project opportunities. The MSU International Institute welcomes questions from faculty who are interested in applying. If you have questions, please email Fulbright scholar liaison Cathy Curtis at ccurtis@international.msstate.edu.

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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500-space North Parking Garage opens
A new parking garage is ready for Mississippi State commuters. MSU Parking and Transit Services opened the $14 million, 500-space North Parking Garage located on Bailey Howell Drive last Thursday [April 21] after workers broke ground on the project in 2019. MSU Parking and Transit Services opened the $14 million, 500-space North Parking Garage located on Bailey Howell Drive last week. “We completed a parking study in 2015 that forecast a need for this garage on the north side of campus, and we are glad to finally have these spaces available for those needing to park during the week, for special events or game days,” MSU Executive Director of Transportation Jeremiah Dumas said. The garage accepts debit and credit cards only and is open to all parkers. Its rate is $1.50 for the first hour and $2.50 for all additional hours, with a daily maximum charge of $25.

Retired NOAA chief scientist keynotes MSU’s Giles Distinguished Lecture Monday afternoon
A newly retired chief scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be a guest lecturer at Mississippi State this week. Craig McLean’s Monday [April 25] talk -- part of the university’s W.L. Giles Distinguished Lecture Series -- is at 2 p.m. in Colvard Student Union’s Fowlkes Auditorium. Wes Burger, dean of MSU’s College of Forest Resources and director of the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, chairs the lecture committee. He said McLean, who has a longstanding commitment to waterways, is an important part of the university’s emphasis this month on environmental issues. The Giles Distinguished Lecture Series brings nationally and internationally recognized scientists, artists and public officials to MSU to help students and faculty learn from and interact with some of the most prestigious individuals in their field. It is organized by the Giles Distinguished Professors and sponsored by the Office of the President.

Waldorf Lecture at MSU features renowned wildlife photographer, alumnus Wednesday morning
Mississippi State’s Waldorf Lecture on the Environment this Wednesday [April 27] features renowned wildlife photographer and MSU alumnus Steve Brandon. Brandon will present “Photographing Nature on Seven Continents: Images from the Field,” at 9 a.m. in Allen Hall, Room 13. The lecture is part of the interdisciplinary Environmental Science program that spans several MSU colleges including the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Scott Willard, CALS dean and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station director, said Brandon’s passion for wildlife as a testament to his commitment to the environment. “Steve uses his photography to encourage stewardship of the environment, for now and the future,” Willard said. The Chattanooga resident, along with his wife, Patsy Fowlkes, has traveled to all seven continents capturing stunning wildlife and nature photographs.

USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment visits MSU for 2022 Carlton Owen Lecture on Friday
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment -- a Mississippi native and the first African American to hold this federal office -- is this year’s guest for Mississippi State’s Carlton N. Owen Lecture Series. Under Secretary Homer Wilkes will lead the Friday [April 29] public program titled “Climate Smart Agriculture and Conservation” at 10 a.m. in Tully Auditorium in Thompson Hall. “Dr. Wilkes has a unique perspective to share due to his myriad experiences in working lands conservation and coastal restoration that perfectly aligns with the intent of this lecture series. His ascent to a position of national leadership in natural resources conservation provides a model to which our students might aspire. We are so proud to welcome him back to campus for this special event,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum.