Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Members of the Campus Services team recently celebrated the completion of the Colvard Campground project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The outdoor space between Colvard Student Union and Lee Hall is the latest MSU Campus Services project to create an inviting environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The project was completed entirely by various MSU units and employees. Specifically, Campus Services’ heavy equipment team completed earthwork and paver and sidewalk installations, while MSU Campus Landscape crews installed all plant materials, including soft caress mahonia, azaleas and liriope. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs

Institute for the Humanities showcases faculty fellows during research panel Tuesday
The Institute for the Humanities at Mississippi State will spotlight short research presentations by three 2023 faculty fellows -- Sol Pelaez, Ted Atkinson and Anne E. Marshall -- who also will take questions about their work during a Tuesday [May 2] panel session, free and open to the public. The noon event takes place in Allen Hall, Room 210. Julia Osman, institute director and associate professor of history, said the fellows program, “allows faculty some of the much-needed time to analyze research and collect data so that they can publish books or articles on their particular topics. I am excited for them to share their works in progress with the university and the public, so that anyone can see what kind of work humanities scholars are tackling."

MSU Athlete Engineering Summit returns May 10-11 to focus on ‘Speaking the Same Language’
The second annual Mississippi State University Athlete Engineering Summit will bring together experts from across the country this May to address human performance issues in sports, industry, military and medical applications. With a theme of “Speaking the Same Language,” the summit will be held May 10 and 11 at the Communiversity at East Mississippi Community College, 7003 South Frontage Road in Columbus. Reuben Burch, associate professor in the MSU Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and head of MSU’s multidisciplinary Athlete Engineering research group, said communication between sectors studying human performance can better address common issues. A wide range of experts will share how their teams and new technologies are impacting performance.

Exciting summer camps offer a variety of learning options at MSU
From honing athletic skills and discovering academic interests to diving into the pool and launching a new business, summer camps at Mississippi State meet a wide variety of interests. The university’s newest catalog of 2023 camps may be viewed online at www.guestservices.msstate.edu/camps/camp-participants. “We always look forward to hosting a lot of campus guests during this great assortment of summer activities and programs. Many of these visitors are youth, but whether you’re looking for something for young children through high schoolers, and even college age and beyond, take a look at the growing opportunities to learn, be enriched and have fun,” said MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt.

Summer semester golf memberships now available
The MSU Golf Course’s 2023 Summer Semester Golf memberships are now available. Current students, faculty and staff can now have unlimited green fees and golf car fees for $600 for the semester. A green fees-only option is available for $325. Memberships run from May 15 to Aug. 11. Stop by the golf shop during normal business hours to fill out the membership form and get signed up. Student charge forms are available for this charge. If you have questions, please call 662-325-3028 or email Tim Basel, PGA head golf professional, at tbasel@business.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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Graduation returns to Davis Wade Stadium
Mississippi State University graduates at the Starkville campus will have a memorable commencement on May 12 when the traditional ceremonies return to Davis Wade Stadium. Ongoing construction at Humphrey Coliseum necessitates a departure from the usual ceremony location. Davis Wade Stadium previously has served as a host venue for commencement, most notably when former U.S. President George H.W. Bush spoke to MSU graduates in 1989. MSU President Mark E. Keenum will serve as the featured speaker for this year’s ceremonies and the university will also present Rodger L. Johnson and Thomas B. “Tommy” Nusz with honorary Doctor of Public Service degrees for their lifetime achievements and longtime support of university programs.

MSU-Meridian announces two key appointments in expansion of Health Sciences
Mississippi State University-Meridian recently announced two key appointments as the university moves forward with its Health Sciences expansion efforts on the Riley Campus downtown. Harold Jones has been appointed interim associate vice provost for Health Sciences. Jones previously served as a consultant for the university for almost two years. He conducted the comprehensive feasibility study resulting in five new healthcare programs approved for the Meridian Campus over the past year. Shauncey Hill has been appointed director of Projects and Strategic Planning. Hill has served the university for more than two decades partnering with faculty to achieve millions in research grant funding.

Avery receives lifetime achievement award
A Mississippi State University Extension professor has received the U.S. Aquaculture Society’s Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the aquaculture industry. Jimmy Avery, an Extension professor in the National Warmwater Aquaculture Center at the Delta Research and Extension Center and director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023. The U.S. Aquaculture Society is a chapter of the World Aquaculture Society. These organizations provide forums for the exchange of timely information among aquaculture researchers, students and industry members. The achievement award recognizes a longtime commitment of service to aquaculture that is deemed highly significant and enduring.

With interdisciplinary culture and wide range of experts, MSU poised to harness the power of data science
From ChatGPT to new insights that drive innovation, data science and artificial intelligence have the potential to change almost every aspect of the human experience. Researchers at Mississippi State University are utilizing an interdisciplinary culture and wide-ranging expertise among faculty to realize the full potential of data-driven research. MSU’s Office of Research and Economic Development and new Data Science Program hosted a symposium last Tuesday [April 25] highlighting some of the opportunities and challenges related to the quickly expanding field of data science. “As with any new technology, there are unknowns, and with the unknown comes uncertainty and sometimes fear around what this technology can do and will do,” MSU Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan said. “But I think academia is a great place to have this type of discourse.