Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Associate Director of Bands Clifton Taylor conducts a performance of "Hail State" during a visit last week by President Mark E. Keenum, who looks on from the right. Each year, the dedicated student members of the Famous Maroon Band report to campus early to begin practice prior to the start of the fall semester, which begins Wednesday [Aug. 17] with the first day of class. The band is one of the university's oldest traditions. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs

MSU Alumni Association announces new partnership with Farm Bureau Insurance
A significant investment from Farm Bureau Insurance, one of the largest property and casualty insurance companies in the country, has secured the organization as the Mississippi State University Alumni Association’s official partner for auto, home and life insurance. The strategic alliance, which promotes Farm Bureau Insurance as an exclusive partner, will also benefit the MSU Alumni Association as proceeds from the commitment will support alumni activities and events. “We are excited to welcome Farm Bureau as the official insurance partner of the MSU Alumni Association,” said Jeff Davis, executive director of the MSU Alumni Association. “Farm Bureau is a first-class company that serves thousands of Bulldog policyholders, and we are grateful for all they do to support Mississippi State.”

Kroger donation helps stock Bully’s Closet and Pantry
A recent donation by Kroger is helping stock an important on-campus source of food, toiletries and household items for Mississippi State students in need. Bully’s Closet and Pantry recently received a $1,000 check via Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative as the national grocery store chain celebrated the grand reopening of its Starkville location. Making the donation was Michael Cristal, president of Kroger’s Delta Division and a former MSU student. “MSU and the Starkville community are fortunate to have incredible partners like Kroger in our community. We are so grateful for their commitment to our students and to reducing food insecurity on campus and beyond,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt.

MSU prepares more than 550 elementary teachers to implement computer science curriculum
After completing training led by Mississippi State University this summer, more than 550 elementary teachers across Mississippi are beginning the new school year equipped to implement computer science concepts in core subjects. MSU’s Center for Cyber Education recently hosted its Elementary Computer Science Summer Institute in four locations this summer, with 572 public school teachers participating in the two-day training. The educator training is helping school districts meet the requirements of state legislation passed in 2021 that requires them to provide computer science instruction at each grade level by 2024-25. Teachers learned how to integrate computer science into English language arts, math, science and social studies lessons.

Reddy working to ‘tackle’ future farming challenges
A Mississippi State agronomy professor is examining crops today that anticipate the agricultural needs of tomorrow. Raja Reddy, research professor in MSU’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, has dedicated his career to the dual challenges of feeding a rapidly growing world population and the stresses of climate change on agriculture. Reddy said one solution to mitigating the climate’s effects on plant growth is to manipulate the plant’s environment. The MAFES Soil-Plant-Atmosphere-Research facility, which has operated since 1977, allows Reddy to precisely control the growing conditions of his plants.

Apply today: Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program
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.

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.

Campus roadway changes in effect
As Mississippi State University prepares for the start of the fall semester, motorists on campus are urged to utilize caution and patience as new traffic changes are now in effect. Last week, new gates limiting vehicular traffic on Hardy Road and President’s Circle became operational in a move that increases pedestrian safety in the center of campus. Roadways and parking areas inside the pedestrian-focused corridor are accessible only to faculty and staff with gated parking permits, vendors with parking permits, and SMART transit buses. Don Zant, MSU vice president for finance and administration, said campus master plans going back nearly 60 years have shown the closure of roads around the core of campus. New infrastructure investments now allow motorists to avoid areas with high levels of pedestrian activity.

New policy on flexwork arrangements provides guidance for supervisors, employees
A new policy at Mississippi State defines flexible work arrangements that achieve a reliable and productive work environment for both the employee and the university. The new policy is the result of a task force comprised of faculty, staff and administrators who have worked on the topic for more than a year. It defines the different types of flexwork arrangements, establishes procedures for implementation, and provides important considerations for both supervisors and employees considering flexwork. Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw summarized the work as an effort “to balance the challenges of flexwork and the fact that we are a face-to-face institution with the need to have a policy that allows this when it is best for all involved.”

Former MSU student Orientation Leader now heads campus office
Jake Hartfield, a Mississippi State graduate and former student Orientation Leader, now serves as the director of the university’s Office of Orientation and Events. Hartfield started his new job in June after spending the last four years at Itawamba Community College, serving as director of student activities and director of recruitment and orientation. “Jake brings a wealth of experience to the Office of Orientation and Events. His background in recruitment, orientation and student affairs, as well as his experience as an Orientation Leader as an undergraduate, makes him uniquely qualified to lead the office,” said John Dickerson, assistant vice president for enrollment and university registrar.

MSU, MGCCC, federal partners collaborate to host premier cybersecurity conference
Representatives from hundreds of leading academic institutions recently gathered on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for one of the country’s premier academic conferences in cybersecurity. Mississippi State University and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, along with multiple federal partners, hosted the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Executive Leadership Forum July 26-28. “It has been an honor to work with MGCCC and our federal partners to host this important event,” said Jim Martin, conference lead and MSU associate vice president for corporate engagement and economic development. “Our nation is facing incredibly complex cyber challenges, and events like this help our institutions stay at the forefront of national trends in defense, education and industry."