Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

President Mark E. Keenum and Provost David Shaw, center right, along with Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jorden, left of car, are pictured with MSU student EcoCAR Electric Vehicle Challenge team members, along with faculty advisors and Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems leaders who will help guide the team during the prominent four-year competition to implement an all-electric powertrain and other cutting-edge features in a new Cadillac LYRIQ. The program develops students to become leaders in the automotive and related engineering fields. PHOTO: Grace Cockrell | Public Affairs

Tuesday symposium to explore autonomous innovations across air, land and sea
Mississippi State University is hosting a symposium this Tuesday [Nov. 14] to inspire innovation in autonomous systems across air, land and sea. Taking place from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. in the Colvard Student Union Ballroom U, the come-and-go event is open to the entire university community and guests. The symposium begins with a panel featuring guests from organizations such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Geological Survey, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, Mississippi Department of Transportation and WISPR Systems. The second half of the program will feature a panel with guests representing MSU research centers and institutes, as well as lightning talks from MSU faculty members.

MSU Libraries to host inaugural Montgomery Research and Lecture Program this Friday
Mississippi State University Libraries and its Mississippi Political Collections announce the inaugural G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Research Fellowship and Lecture Program, on Friday [Nov. 17] at 2 p.m. in Mitchell Memorial Library’s John Grisham Room. Montgomery Fellow Tim Galsworthy, a history and military history lecturer at Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln, England, is the featured speaker. Organized by Kate Gregory, assistant professor and director of the Mississippi Political Collections, the event is inspired by other congressional centers around the country as a way to highlight the MSU Libraries’ collections, especially those of the late Congressman Montgomery and Sen. John C. Stennis.

Theatre MSU brings wizard boarding school parody ‘Puffs’ to the stage this week
Mississippi State’s Theatre MSU presents a hilarious romp through a magical school for its second production of its 60th season. “Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic,” opens Wednesday [Nov. 15] and continues Thursday [Nov. 16] and Friday [Nov. 17] at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday [Nov. 19] at 2 p.m. on McComas Hall’s main stage. Admission is $10, and tickets may be purchased at https://msstate.universitytickets.com or at the door. The production is told from the perspective of the Puffs, the “least appreciated house in a wizard boarding school."

Longest Student Health Center providing flu shot clinics this fall
Mississippi State’s Longest Student Health Center will provide flu shot clinics across campus and in-house this year. Walk-ins are welcome, but recipients may also make appointments. To schedule a visit, call 662-325-2431 and select Option 1. Shots are $30 -- cash, card and checks are accepted -- and can be filed to insurance at the time of service. LSHC flu clinics are scheduled every Thursday in October and November, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other campus flu clinics will be held 1-4 p.m. on Wednesdays at various locations.

Nomination period open for 2024 MSU Online Teaching Award
The nomination window for the 2024 Mississippi State Online Teaching Award is open now until 5 p.m. Jan. 7. In its sixth year, the award acknowledges and rewards an MSU online instructor who employs best practices to engage, inspire and support students in an online environment. Potential nominees include faculty members, instructors or lecturers of a Campus 5 course taught in the current academic year. The winner will receive a $500 award along with registration to attend an online education-related conference similar to OLC, UPCEA or USDLA. The winner will be notified in April.

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.

The Office of Public Affairs provides Maroon MEMO as a general information
resource for Mississippi State University employees.

Web links are subject to change. Submit news, questions or comments to Jim Laird.

Rosenbaum Health Sciences Building renovation to bring advanced simulation center to MSU-Meridian
Mississippi State President Mark E. Keenum visited MSU-Meridian’s Riley Campus last week to observe the current renovation to the I.A. Rosenbaum Health Sciences Building and to celebrate its transformation. The Rosenbaum facility -- in the historic Kress and Company store in downtown Meridian -- will house one of the most advanced interprofessional simulation centers in the state. It will provide an integrated learning environment for students with diverse academic backgrounds to team train and work together for improved patient health outcomes. Keenum said, “We want to be a model for the state of Mississippi in preparing students to address critical, rural health care needs throughout our state. I am so pleased with the efforts of this campus’s team to achieve these goals and others as our health sciences portfolio continues to grow.”

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences celebrates 120 years
Mississippi State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is celebrating 120 years of teaching, research and service with events for alumni, faculty, students and staff. The School of Agriculture was formally established in 1903. “From advancing agriculture by developing the tools and technologies to support the farmers that feed, clothe and fuel the world through initiatives like our new Agricultural Autonomy Institute, to training tomorrow’s health care professionals with a medical school admissions rate more than 20% above the national average, CALS is constantly evolving and pursuing innovation to address the needs of our state, nation and world,” said CALS Dean Scott Willard. “Much of what we do is supported by our generous alumni and friends of the college. Without their support, our important work wouldn’t be possible.”

Carter receives leadership award for work with rural tourism industry
A Mississippi State University Extension Service specialist was recently recognized for her work with the rural tourism industry. Rachael Carter, tourism specialist with the MSU Extension Center for Government and Community Development, or CGCD, received the Agnes Zaiontz Rural Tourism Leadership Award from the Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee Rural Tourism Conference committee. Each year, the award recognizes a person in the tri-state area who has made significant contributions to the tourism industry through inspiration, spirit and excellent leadership. Carter and her colleagues in the CGCD spend countless hours working with and providing support services to tourism professionals throughout the state.