Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Forestry students cut and measure trees as part of a nine-week summer field program. They estimate the board feet of lumber found in standing trees, which are then cut and sawn into logs for students to observe the actual board feet measurement. Forestry Assistant Professor Joshua Granger, second from left, explains how to read a logging tape to students Caleb Winpigler of Laurel, Cole Browning of Pickensville, and Paul “Chris” Luckett of Starkville. PHOTO: Dominique Belcher | Agriculture and Natural Resources Marketing

Basu recognized with regional early career award
A Mississippi State faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology is being recognized regionally for outstanding research, teaching and outreach by the world’s largest entomological society. Assistant Professor Priyadarshini “Priya” Basu is the recipient of the 2022 Early Career Professional Award from the Entomological Society of America, Southeastern Branch. “This award was only made possible because of everyone who has helped me,” she said. “I would like to thank Dr. Jeff Gore and Dr. Angus Catchot at MSU, as well as Dr. Ramesh Sagili at Oregon State for the nomination and their support letters. And, of course, I also thank the Southeastern Branch of ESA for the award.”

Summer road enhancements expand ‘pedestrian core’ on campus
Mississippi State University is enhancing pedestrian safety by reducing vehicle traffic on roadways at the center of campus. “These changes will greatly enhance safety for pedestrians and bicyclists on campus,” said MSU Executive Director of Transportation Jeremiah Dumas. “We see approximately 900 pedestrian crossings per hour just at the intersection of Magruder Street and President’s Circle, and we have five different pedestrian crossings on Hardy Road just between Morrill and Lee. Reducing the number of vehicles in these areas helps carry out the university’s plan to create a more pedestrian-friendly center of campus. Additionally, this will make our SMART routes more efficient and consistent for the thousands of students and community members that utilize our transportation services on and off campus.”

College of Veterinary Medicine celebrates shelter medicine milestone, impacts thousands of animals over decades of service
Mississippi State’s College of Veterinary Medicine is celebrating a major milestone within its Shelter Medicine Program and reflecting on more than 100,000 animals that have benefited from spay and neuter surgeries over the past 17 years of service and outreach. The program started with Dr. Phil Bushby driving three DVM students to the animal shelter in Columbus once every three weeks. When Marcia P. Lane of Columbus saw this work, she made a generous financial commitment in 2006 to bolster the program’s growth and pave the way to impact exponentially more animals. CVM Dean Kent Hoblet said without Lane’s sustained support over the years, the program “would certainly not exist in its current, preeminent level.” Jimmy Kight, CVM director of development, said many others with a passion for animals also have made contributions to support the cause. “Ms. Marcia’s initial gift got everything rolling. Our Shelter Medicine Program is a tremendous example of how private gifts have an impact,” he said.

Leadership Development Program applications due Friday
Mississippi State's Human Resources Management is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 Leadership Development Program. The application deadline is Friday [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.

Deadline for emeritus recommendations coming up 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.

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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Moyen enters new role as university’s first assistant vice president for Student Success
Eric Moyen, Mississippi State professor and head of the Department of Educational Leadership, is beginning a new role as the university’s first assistant vice president for Student Success. The appointment, in the MSU Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President, will be effective July 1, and is a direct report to Interim Associate Vice Provost for Student Success and Dean of Students Thomas Bourgeois. As assistant vice president, he will be responsible for operations of the Center for Academic Excellence, formerly the Learning Center, which offers graduate and undergraduate students academically enhanced credit courses, support programs, workshops, tutoring services, academic coaching and state-of-the-art technology labs. Also under his supervision is the Center for Advising, which is an academic resource for all undergraduate students, especially non-declared and those classified as special non-degree.

Bostic illustrates Juneteenth children’s book
Children across the nation will better understand the historical significance and cultural impact of Juneteenth thanks to a Mississippi State art professor’s drawings. Alex Bostic, an associate professor in the MSU Department of Art, illustrated the 32-page book “Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem,” in which poet and activist Sojourner Kincaid Rolle tells the story of the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learning of their freedom in 1865. Celebrated on June 19, Juneteenth became the newest U.S. federal holiday in 2021. Locally, Tupelo’s Gumtree Museum of Art will feature many of Bostic’s portraits in July. An opening reception will be held at 5 p.m. July 15. Published by Union Square Kids in May, “Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem” is available through most major online retailers and select bookstores.

National Endowment for the Humanities awards Thompson funding to study 19th century medical practices
A Mississippi State Department of History faculty member is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities summer stipend award to help fund her archival research on the history of medicine in the 19th century. Assistant Professor Courtney Thompson received $6,000 from the NEH, an independent federal agency which promotes studies in the humanities and history. Only the second faculty member in recent history at MSU to receive the NEH summer stipend, Thompson’s funding will support research for Thompson’s second book, tentatively titled “A Calculus of Compassion: Medicine, Emotion, and Identity in Nineteenth-Century America.” Thompson said her new project is based in large part on an archival collection housed at MSU that focuses on 19th century Mississippi physician A.B. Holder.

Karunakaran receives national award from U.S. Aquaculture Society
A Mississippi State aquaculture scientist is being honored for early career excellence by a national aquaculture organization. Ganesh Karunakaran, a Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station aquaculture economist and associate research professor, is receiving the prestigious Distinguished Early Career Award from the U.S. Aquaculture Society, a chapter of the World Aquaculture Society. He is based at MSU’s Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center in Stoneville. His research focuses on economics and marketing in the U.S. catfish industry, working on behalf of farmers and stakeholders. “I was lucky to be chosen, and I’m lucky to be a part of an excellent research team. Mississippi State University provides a supportive environment to pursue industry-oriented research,” he said.