Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

A bee lands on a tulip in front of the Chapel of Memories — one of many sights and scenes across campus that mark the arrival of spring. Mississippi State University is recognized as a Bee Campus USA. PHOTO: Alyson Strom | Public Affairs

Foreman's newest ‘Hidden History’ publication spotlights the Mississippi Delta
Josh Foreman, an instructor in Mississippi State’s communication department and advisor to The Reflector, has released a new book in his “Hidden History” series, the fifth in a series of works detailing the mysteries and unseen aspects of the Deep South. Co-written by Foreman and Ryan Starrett -- a fellow Jackson native and Foreman’s childhood friend -- “Hidden History of the Mississippi Delta,” a 2023 publication of The History Press, an imprint of Arcadia Publishing, takes a broad approach to investigating one of the South’s most famous regions. “We explored Delta history from many perspectives -- European-Native American contact, environmental, religious, ecological, civil rights and so forth,” Foreman said.

MSU scientists develop climate resilient rice as part of $10 million grant
Scientists at Mississippi State are part of a multi-institutional, $10-million effort to improve the sustainability and profitability of rice farming in the face of climate change. “Because of our interdisciplinary expertise and MSU’s facilities, we are developing genetic mapping tools to identify the genes associated with stress tolerance, including projected changes in climate,” said Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Agronomist Raja Reddy. “Being able to identify these genes will help rice breeders develop climate-resilient cultivars, or plant varieties.” Reddy, a research professor in MSU’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, is working alongside assistant research professors Raju Bheemanahalli Rangappa and Hunter Bowman, also MAFES agronomists.

MSU Legal Issues Conference set for May 2-4
The annual Mississippi State University Legal Issues Conference is scheduled for May 2-4. The Legal Issues Conference will be valuable for all levels of university practitioners, from senior student affairs professionals to conduct officers and counselors, housing professionals, general counsel, academic administrators and faculty. This year we will hear from experts on the following topics: behavioral intervention team standards and threat assessment; university compliance in the age of regulation; de-escalating student crisis situations; Clery Act reporting process/timely warnings and amendments/audits; disability accommodations; and employment law.

Register 2023 Summer Camps with MSU Guest and Conference Services
When planning for summer camps and other events, please visit www.guestservices.msstate.edu to begin the reservation and planning process. We are asking all day camps to register here, as well. As we are a one-stop-shop for all camps and conferences, there is no need for you to reach out to campus partners (dining, parking, event services, university recreation, etc.). Guest and Conference Services will manage your planning needs at MSU. Due to high demands of MSU facilities, there is no guarantee we can accommodate your first choice. Please list alternative preferences for housing, meeting spaces, recreational spaces and parking. For questions or more information, please contact Guest and Conference Services Coordinator Doris Barksdale at dbarksdale@saffairs.msstate.edu or 662-325-4140.

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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West named head of Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures
Mississippi State Professor Robert M. West has been named head of the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures after serving as the interim head since July 2021. West will become the CMLL department head effective, July 1. He has been a faculty member in the English department since 2002 and was a key part of the 2019 installation of MSU’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter, the oldest academic honors society in the U.S. He has served as PBK chapter president and currently is on the executive committee. He also served as interim director of the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Pickerings champion bipartisanship, civility during dedication of papers
Two exalted figures in Mississippi politics called for Americans to sit down with each other, have difficult-but-civil conversations and work to better the nation as Mississippi State officials formally celebrated the dedication and opening of their political papers now housed at the university. The father-and-son duo -- Judge Charles W. Pickering Sr. and Congressman Charles W. “Chip” Pickering Jr. -- were part of a Friday [March 31] panel discussion held at Mitchell Memorial Library, where the Mississippi Political Collections unit now hosts documents from the public service of the former federal judge and the former representative of Mississippi’s 3rd Congressional District. When asked about the current state of Washington, D.C., both Pickerings, who were noted throughout their careers for being able to reach across the aisle and work with people of various political leanings, urged current leaders to find common ground so they can deliver the best results for the country.

MSU designated ‘Voter Friendly Campus’ by Campus Vote Project, NASPA
Mississippi State University was named a national Voter Friendly Campus last week for planning and implementing practices encouraging students to register and vote in recent and future elections. “Helping students learn more about the democratic process is important. Being recognized as a Voter Friendly Campus helps us to elevate our efforts around voter education and registration,” said Regina Hyatt, MSU’s vice president for student affairs. “We want all students to be educated about the electoral process and to take advantage of their right to vote in all local, state and federal elections. We are grateful for the work of our students, student organizations, campus departments, and local and state agencies who participate in this effort.”

Ribbon-cutting scheduled for congressman's new office at The Hub
Join Congressman Michael Guest on Tuesday [April 4] for a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony and open-house event for his new Starkville office, located on the first floor of The Hub. Guest and his staff will be available to discuss constituent casework, Washington, current events and other issues of interest. The Hub is located at 301 East Main St.