Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Alumnus Stanley Blackmon rings a cowbell presented by President Mark E. Keenum during the university’s fall 2023 convocation ceremony at Dudy Noble Field. Convocation is among many events that mark a new academic year at Mississippi State. Students soon will celebrate the beginning of football season with Cowbell Yell on Thursday [Aug. 31] at Scott Field at Davis Wade Stadium. Grace Cockrell | Public Affairs

MSU, Tennessee’s Moore Tech align with MOU giving technical college grads improved access to BAS degree program
Mississippi State University and William R. Moore College of Technology in Memphis, Tennessee, signed a memorandum of understanding last week streamlining a pathway for Moore Tech graduates of technical education programs to join MSU’s Bachelor of Applied Science degree program. Moore Tech President Skip Redmond joined MSU President Mark E. Keenum for the official signing that facilitates a smooth transfer for students advancing toward baccalaureate degree completion. MSU will apply 60 credit hours of a Moore Tech Associate of Applied Technology degree directly toward a minimum 120 credit hours required to earn the university’s Bachelor of Applied Science. Of those 60 transfer hours, 45 may be technical credit.

Landscape Architecture's Artunç earns national teaching medal
Sadik C. Artunç, professor and head of Mississippi State’s Department of Landscape Architecture, has been awarded the Jot D. Carpenter Teaching Medal from the American Society of Landscape Architects. The Jot D. Carpenter Teaching Medal goes to an individual who has made a sustained and significant contribution to landscape architecture education. Founded in 1899, the ASLA is the professional association for landscape architects in the U.S., representing more than 15,000 members. Artunç, who has been an MSU professor and leader of the landscape architecture department for the past 16 years, has mentored and taught generations of landscape architects over his 40-plus year career, teaching a range of courses including design studios, and professional practice and construction classes.

MSU researchers lead national collaboration with $1.6 million NSF grant to study plant access to nitrogen in shifting environments
Mississippi State researchers are using a $1.6 million National Science Foundation grant to study nitrogen conversions in nature and how agriculture can continue to access the important element in the face of increasing environmental stressors and upheaval. The multi-institution team is led by Ryan A. Folk, an assistant professor in the MSU Department of Biological Sciences and herbarium curator. Joined by fellow MSU researchers Heather Jordan, associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, and Delaney Foster, associate director of planning and assessment initiatives in the Division of Access, Diversity and Inclusion, the MSU team will manage $920,000 of the grant.

Fall general faculty meeting Wednesday afternoon
The Office of the President and the Robert Holland Faculty Senate invite all Mississippi State University faculty to the fall general faculty meeting on Wednesday [Aug. 30] at 2 p.m. 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/3501242.

Emergency response training available this fall
Several emergency preparedness sessions are scheduled for the upcoming semester. All sessions will be held at 3 p.m. in the Colvard Student Union’s Fowlkes Auditorium on their corresponding date. Visit hrm.msstate.edu/learn-grow/training/upcoming-workshops for a list of upcoming training events and to register for sessions. Mississippi State's emergency webpage, emergency.msstate.edu, provides emergency response guidance and videos. The site also outlines how and when the university's emergency notification system, Maroon Alert, will be used. For more information about emergency response or to schedule training, email Brent Crocker, MSU’s emergency manager, at brent.crocker@msstate.edu or call 662-325-4521.

Starkville-MSU Community Band seeks new members ahead of fall rehearsals
Amateur Bulldog instrumentalists and musically inclined Golden Triangle residents are invited to join the Starkville-MSU Community Band ahead of fall rehearsals. Spots are available to local residents and MSU faculty, staff and students who are at least 15 years old and have previous school band experience. All skill levels are welcome, including musicians who haven’t played in a while. “We had a great spring with our community musicians and are looking forward to having them back together again,” said Band Director Johnny Folsom. “It’s great to see folks get out their instruments and enjoy playing them again.” Beginning Sept. 11, the band will meet 6:30-8:30 p.m. each Monday at the Kent Sills Band Hall.

MSU Lyceum Series: New season tickets now on sale
Five acts spanning a variety of genres will entertain fans with live performances during the Mississippi State Lyceum Series’ upcoming 76th season. The 2023-24 event year begins with a performance by Kings Return, a Grammy-nominated acapella vocal group, at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 in Lee Hall’s historic Bettersworth Auditorium. Drawing from R&B, jazz, gospel and pop influences, the group defies the constraints of a single musical genre and explores a myriad of sonic shades and textures. The renewal period for season ticket holders concluded July 30, with new season tickets going on sale July 31. Mini-series tickets will be available Aug. 22, with individual event tickets on sale Sept. 12.

Fall MSU Golf Course memberships now available
Fall 2023 memberships to the MSU Golf Course are now available. Current students, faculty and staff can now have unlimited green and golf car fees for $600 for the semester. A green fee-only option is available for $325. Memberships begin Aug. 14 and end Dec. 10. Sign-up forms are available at the golf shop during regular business hours, and student-charge forms are also available. For more information, call 662-325-3028 or email Tim Basel, PGA head golf professional, at tlb30@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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Convocation at Dudy Noble: New students encouraged to seize opportunities
Mississippi State University welcomed its largest-ever freshman class, as well as new transfer students, to campus with fall convocation last week, marking the beginning of their academic journey at MSU. During the ceremony, MSU alumnus and partner with Bradley law firm Stanley Blackmon addressed the new students and encouraged them to take advantages of the many opportunities that come with enrolling at MSU. “All of the opportunities that you are looking for, and some opportunities you don’t even know about, are available to you right here at Mississippi State,” Blackmon said. “You just have to be willing to take advantage of them. If you do your part, Mississippi State will prepare you for the world ahead.”

Vivier named Grisham Master Teacher, Young receives Zacharias Early Career Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award
Two Mississippi State faculty members were celebrated last week with two of the university’s most prestigious teaching honors. Eric Vivier is MSU’s newest Grisham Master Teacher, while Danielle Young is this year’s Zacharias Early Career Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award winner. President Mark E. Keenum said that while he often touts MSU’s standing as a leading land-grant and research university, he said providing excellence in classroom teaching is among the institution’s most important functions. “These are two extremely high honors -- two of the highest honors we can bestow to our faculty for their achievements in the classroom,” Keenum said.

Burch moves to ORED as associate vice president
Mississippi State University’s Reuben Burch, a distinguished faculty member in the Bagley College of Engineering, is taking on a new role as associate vice president for research. The promotion moves Burch into a leadership position within MSU’s Office of Research and Economic Development. A two-time MSU alumnus, Burch has been an MSU faculty member since 2016 and led interdisciplinary research teams focused on human performance. Burch will assist with developing and implementing strategic direction for MSU’s research mission, as well as day-to-day oversight of administrative units and research centers reporting to ORED. He will also engage with current and potential university federal, state and local partners, and work to facilitate cross-discipline research teams to compete for funding opportunities.

Pricope joining university as associate vice president for research in September
Narcisa Pricope, a decorated professor of geography and geospatial science, is joining Mississippi State as an associate vice president for research. Pricope will join the leadership team in MSU’s Office of Research and Economic Development this September. She currently is a faculty member at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she leads research programs focused on using geospatial modeling, remote sensing and uncrewed aerial systems to better understand changes in the environment and how they impact people. “I am delighted to be appointed to this position at such a crucial time for both Mississippi State University and higher education in general,” Pricope said.