Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw, left, and President Mark E. Keenum, right, present Col. Robert L. Barnes Jr. with an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree during last Friday morning's [May 13] commencement ceremony. A 1972 MSU graduate, Barnes was the first African American ROTC cadet to be commissioned into the U.S. Army from MSU. He actively promotes MSU through involvement with the Central Mississippi Alumni Chapter and as chair of the Black Alumni Advisory Council, which he helped organize in 2016. In 2021, he was named as the College of Arts and Sciences’ Alumnus of the Year. PHOTO: Beth Wynn | Public Affairs

MSU releases new Bermuda grass turf for truer putting greens
Mississippi State scientists are developing new turfgrass varieties for putting greens that hold golf shots with truer putting potential. Scientists in the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station have developed two new turfgrass cultivars as the first hybrid Bermuda grass cultivars unrelated to the commonly used “Tifgreen.” “The superior performance of these two grasses provides stakeholders with new options in the putting green market,” said Assistant Professor Hongxu Dong, who specializes in turfgrass breeding and genetics. Recently retired MSU turfgrass breeder Wayne Philley led the MAFES development. Both grasses are available for licensing.

Students advance with hands-on UAV studies
Mississippi State students are taking advantage of a new experiential learning opportunity to gain skills on the cutting edge of technology and study unmanned aircraft vehicles, or UAVs, from the inside out. MSU’s Unmanned Aerial Systems Precision Ag Flight program has, since 2019, offered UAV flight instruction to students, but a custom-made tabletop drone now provides further hands-on classroom learning. Amelia Fox, an assistant clinical professor who joined the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences in 2015 when it was beginning to use UAVs in classes, said her job is to “break down issues in emerging technology.” When she began instruction on UAV operation there was no curriculum, so she developed one.

Emeritus recommendations due to the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President by June 20
It is time for submission of Emeritus recommendations. If deans and department heads wish to recommend anyone for Emeritus status, that person should be identified as soon as possible. These recommendations should proceed from the Department Head through the Dean to the Provost. Please see OP 13.01: Emeritus Appointment. Each letter of recommendation should state the justification for the request, including the number of years of service to Mississippi State University. These recommendations will be forwarded to the President for approval. The deadline to submit a recommendation to the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President is June 20.

HRM now accepting Leadership Development Program applications
Mississippi State's Human Resources Management is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 Leadership Development Program. The application deadline is June 17. To meet eligibility requirements, applicants must be preparing for a mid- to senior-level leadership role; direct major tasks, projects and initiatives; have at least an overall 3.0 on their most recent performance appraisal; have the support of their immediate supervisor; be able to attend all sessions, including graduation; and have at least one year of service in their current position. Visit www.hrm.msstate.edu/learn-grow/leadership-development to download the application packet.

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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More than 3,800 MSU graduates prepared to ‘do great things’ as Bulldog alumni
Approximately 3,800 Mississippi State University graduates are ready to do great things in their lives and help mold the 21st century, MSU President Mark E. Keenum said during spring commencement ceremonies. Noting the challenges students have overcome to earn their degrees, Keenum also highlighted graduates’ potential to impact their communities with the knowledge and traits learned while pursuing higher education. “You persevered, you moved forward, and you stayed committed to your dream,” Keenum said. “You are ready for this next step in your life. You are ready for graduate school, medical school, law school, or starting that new job and a career."

Brenner to lead Social Science Research Center
A long-serving Mississippi State faculty member and administrator is now the director of the university’s Social Science Research Center. Devon Brenner, assistant vice president for outreach and initiatives in the MSU Office of Research and Economic Development, has been named SSRC director. “Throughout its history, the SSRC has been home to innovative interdisciplinary research on the social issues that impact our state, nation and world and has served as a major catalyst for growing the social sciences at MSU,” said MSU Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan. “Dr. Brenner’s breadth of experience has her well positioned to move the center forward and support its mission. I look forward to seeing SSRC continue to grow under her leadership.”

Jones named director of MSU Child Development and Family Studies Center
After 12 years working at Mississippi State’s Child Development and Family Studies Center -- first as an intern, then teacher and most recently as manager -- Samantha Jones now leads the program that provides hands-on learning for university students planning to work with young children and families. Jones, known by the center’s children and parents as “Miss Sam,” has two MSU human development and family science degrees, including a 2014 Master of Science. “We are very excited to have Sam as director. I have known her as a teacher and a manager, and she will provide excellent leadership in her new role,” said Michael Newman, professor and director of the School of Human Sciences in MSU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

All MSU graduate teaching, service assistantships to cover full tuition costs
Mississippi State will cover the full cost of tuition for all graduate teaching and service assistants beginning in the fall semester, university leaders announced last week. “Graduate assistantships provide valuable training opportunities and allow students to pursue advanced degrees with a substantially reduced financial burden, and I am incredibly proud that we are able to provide this additional level of support,” said MSU Provost and Executive President David Shaw. “We have strong graduate programs across campus, and this investment will make them even more competitive as they recruit high-caliber students from across the state, nation and world. I want to thank the Graduate Studies Task Force for identifying several ways we can continue to improve our graduate programs and President Mark Keenum for his quick action to address this need for our students.”