President Mark E. Keenum, right, is pictured with MSU Campus Landscape Superintendent of Sports Turf Brandon Hardin, left, and Sports Turf Specialist II Todd Hughes, center, along with the 2021 NCAA Baseball National Championship Trophy and the 2021 Sports Turf Management Association College and University Baseball Field of the Year Award. The association recognized MSU’s sports turf staff’s work to keep Dudy Noble Field at the highest level of performance and playability during the Bulldogs’ national championship-winning season. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs
Sims joins MSU as Northern Gulf Institute deputy director, strategic advisor for federal partnerships
Jamese Sims, an accomplished atmospheric scientist with extensive U.S. government program management experience, is joining Mississippi State as deputy director of the university’s Northern Gulf Institute and strategic advisor for federal partnerships. In the new role, Sims oversees the execution of large projects and builds interdisciplinary teams within NGI while working closely with senior university leadership on strategic opportunities related to the missions of MSU and NGI. Based at MSU, NGI is a NOAA Cooperative Institute that develops, operates and maintains an increasingly integrated research and transition program in the Gulf of Mexico, the results of which raise awareness and understanding of the Gulf region.
Herrmann to lead Department of Building Construction Science as interim associate head
A longtime faculty member is stepping in as interim associate head of Mississippi State’s Department of Building Construction Science this year as George Ford, who led BCS for the past four years, transitions to full-time teaching. Associate Professor Michele Herrmann, who holds a Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School and has been teaching fourth-year BCS studios since fall 2011, said she’s excited to learn the administration side and see things through that perspective. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in design from Clemson University.
Lane named interim director of Institute for Imaging and Analytical Technologies
Tonia Lane is now serving as interim director of Mississippi State University’s Institute for Imaging and Analytical Technologies. Lane joins I2AT from MSU’s Advanced Composite Institute, where she was director of business operations and program manager. At I2AT, she provides leadership for the research institute housing major research instrumentation that is available to MSU faculty, staff, students and external partners. The center is administered by the MSU Office of Research and Economic Development. “Tonia is an accomplished scientist and project leader, bringing two decades of relevant experience to the position,” said MSU Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan.
Academy of American Poets selects Mississippi’s Poet Laureate Pierce for fellowship
Mississippi’s Poet Laureate Catherine Pierce adds another accolade to her distinguished list of honors this month with her selection as a Poet Laureate Fellow by the Academy of American Poets, one of only 22 recipients this year. Also a Mississippi State English professor, Pierce will use the fellowship support to launch a statewide poetry-writing initiative for young people, culminating in a Mississippi Young Writers Poetry Festival hosted at the university in April 2023. “The belief that poetry is for everyone is at the heart of my work in this role, and one of my key goals is to find ways to help young people across Mississippi access poetry in ways that are meaningful for them,” Pierce said.
Hwang's research to be featured on brochure cover
The Coalition for Advanced Scientific Computation has recognized the research of a Mississippi State University Bagley College of Engineering faculty member. Joonsik Hwang, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, is the winner of a competition held by the Coalition for Advanced Scientific Computation. The prize? Hwang's image will grace the cover of CASC's annual brochure highlighting research activities utilizing advanced computing at some of its member institutions. To support its mission, CASC develops an annual brochure highlighting research activities utilizing advanced computing at some of its member institutions. Each year a competition is held to determine which member is selected for the brochure cover.
Department of Art presents faculty exhibition
Seventeen faculty and staff members of Mississippi State’s Department of Art are presenting a variety of artistic mediums in the Bi-Annual Department of Art Faculty Exhibition Aug. 22-Sept. 16. In the university’s Cullis Wade Depot Art Gallery, the exhibition showcases ceramics, drawing, fiber, painting, photography, sculpture and video -- all recent works by art department faculty and staff. The exhibit is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For a complete list of participating faculty and bios, visit www.caad.msstate.edu/exhibitions/2022/msu-department-art-bi-annual-faculty-exhibition.
Fall general faculty meeting coming up Sept. 13
The Office of the President and the Robert Holland Faculty Senate invite all Mississippi State University faculty to the fall general faculty meeting at 3 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2022, in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium. Interested members of the campus community are also welcome. The meeting will feature an update from President Mark E. Keenum. The MSU Television Center will provide a livestream of the meeting for those unable to attend in person or who prefer to watch online. The livestream will be available at https://vimeo.com/event/2364870. If you require special assistance related to a disability, please contact Meg Berry at mberry@pres.msstate.edu or 662-325-2396.
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.
Bicycle and scooter safety reminders
Mississippi State has seen a tremendous increase in bike and scooter use on campus, and the university continues to make the campus as friendly to bicycles as possible. Not only are bicycles a healthy alternative to a car, but they also help alleviate traffic and parking on campus. To help keep our campus safe, visit www.police.msstate.edu/videos/campus-bike-safety for a two-minute video on bicycle safety. Additionally, cyclists and scooter riders should use extreme caution and slow down or walk their bicycle or scooter when interacting with pedestrians. Cyclists and riders should not use sidewalks and walkways when pedestrians are present. Vehicle drivers are required by state law to give bikes a minimum of three feet of distance.
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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