Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State marked the anniversary of D-Day last Tuesday [June 6] with the unveiling of a new exhibit at Mitchell Memorial Library honoring the contributions of Bulldogs during World War II. The exhibit was made possible thanks to a donation from the family of Walter L. Wallace Sr., a 1939 MSU graduate who served as an officer during the war. The exhibit captures the D-Day and WWII experiences of Wallace and fellow alums George Hammer and Kenneth "K.O." Wise. Pictured from left to right are Walter L. Wallace, Jr.; Steve Wallace; MSU Libraries Associate Dean for Community Relations and Strategic Initiatives Stephen Cunetto, MSU Libraries Associate Dean for Archives and Special Collections David Nolen, and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Dunne. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs

Men's Tennis: Roberts and Jacoby honored with ITA regional coaching awards
No. 16 Mississippi State concluded its men's tennis season a few weeks ago but the awards continue to roll in for the Bulldogs. Last Tuesday [June 6], Matt Roberts was named the Wilson/ITA Southern Regional Coach of the Year while Jake Jacoby was tabbed the Assistant Coach of the Year for the Southern Regional. It is the fourth time Roberts has earned Wilson/ITA Southern Regional Coach of the Year, having also received that honor in three straight seasons from 2017-19. Roberts and Jacoby guided MSU to a 21-8 record this past season and into the Round of 16 at the NCAA Championships. The Bulldogs posted nine victories against ranked opponents, including four wins versus top 20 foes.

Institute for Clean Energy Technology featured at U.S. House Nuclear Cleanup Caucus event
A Mississippi State University research center is showcasing its nuclear filtration technology with leaders from the U.S. House of Representatives. MSU’s Institute for Clean Energy Technology recently participated in a technology showcase hosted by the U.S. House Nuclear Cleanup Caucus in conjunction with the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management. ICET manages a nuclear containment ventilation testing program that leads the nation in research to ensure that filter and confinement systems at facilities with radioactive materials are effective and pose minimum risk of accidental exposure to workers, the public and the environment. “HEPA filters are the last line of defense against harmful radiation, which makes their reliability a key component of any nuclear cleanup effort,” said ICET Director Jaime Rickert.

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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Biological Sciences’ Li earns NSF CAREER award, department’s fourth in two years
Assistant Professor Ling Li is the latest faculty member in the Mississippi State University Department of Biological Sciences to receive the prestigious National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development award. Li is using a five-year, approximately $800,000 grant to advance her research on increasing protein in key crops such as soybeans, corn and rice. The grant marks the department’s fourth CAREER award in the past two years, with researchers receiving a total of $2 million from the competitive funding program since 2021. Li joins Matt Ballinger, Amy Dapper and Andrew Lawton as biological sciences faculty to receive CAREER funding.

Animal and Dairy Sciences' Devost-Burnett inducted as MANRRS national president
Derris Devost-Burnett is the new national president of the national Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) organization. An associate professor in MSU’s Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences and the university’s MANRRS co-advisor, Devost-Burnett was inducted at the 37th annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia where he was joined by over 20 Mississippi State students. “MANRRS provides access to careers, training and networking opportunities that students may not otherwise be exposed to,” said Devost-Burnett. “It also helps develop global citizens that are ready to hit the ground running.”

Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture's Kouba awarded with Seven Seals Award
The leader of Mississippi State’s Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture is being honored with the national Seven Seals Award by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Department Head Andrew Kouba, a Dale Arner Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology and director for MSU’s Center for Human-Wildlife Conflicts, has been selected for his “meritorious leadership and initiative in support of the men and women who serve America in the National Guard and Reserve.” ESGR is a U.S. Department of Defense program promoting cooperation between civilians and reserve component service members. Through the Seven Seals Award, the program recognizes individuals with significant achievements, acts or support who promote the ESGR mission to develop supportive work environments for service members within the reserve components.