Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Pink and yellow tulips stand tall at the center of the university's Drill Field, catching warm sunlight on the first day of spring. Thanks to the craftsmanship of Campus Landscape crews, flowers can be seen at every corner, creating a vibrant array of flora for those enjoying a walk outside. PHOTO: Grace Cockrell | Public Affairs

Ensemble Mik Nawooj closes out MSU’s Lyceum Series with ‘Hip Hop Orchestra Experience’
Ensemble Mik Nawooj brings its boundary-pushing “Hip Hop Orchestra Experience” to Mississippi State for the final performance of the university’s 76th Lyceum Series. The classical and hip-hop ensemble performs Wednesday [March 27] at 7 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium. The event is free for MSU students, and the general public can purchase tickets at www.union.msstate.edu/student-activities/lyceum/tickets. Individual tickets are $30 per person and $25 for MSU employees and senior citizens. Featuring MCs, a lyric soprano, woodwinds, French horns, string instruments, piano and drums, the group performs original music, reimagining typical concert and hip-hop music into a new style.

April 1st deadline for Zacharias Distinguished Staff Awards
Mississippi State’s Staff Council is seeking nominations of outstanding employees for the annual Zacharias Distinguished Staff Awards through 11:59 p.m. April 1. Twelve selected honorees will be announced at the annual Junction luncheon, scheduled for 11 a.m. May 17. They will receive a plaque of recognition along with a $1,000 check from MSU President Mark E. Keenum. The honors are a memorial to the university’s 15th president Donald W. Zacharias. To be eligible for the award, nominees must be classified as a professional or support staff employee, be in good standing, work at least half-time, have a minimum of three years of service and have never been a recipient of the award.

Bulldog First Impressions entries due to Campus Services by April 1
Campus Services at Mississippi State has launched the first Bulldog First Impressions contest, which seeks ideas for campus improvement projects. Current MSU students, faculty and staff members may draft written proposals or create short videos outlining campus refresh, redesign or remodeling projects for public spaces and common areas. Entries will be reviewed by Campus Services and judged on their overall impact to the MSU community. The winning submitter will receive up to $25,000 to complete their project. Proposals are due April 1.

2024 Research Award nomination window open through May 10
Nominations for MSU's 2024 Research Awards, sponsored by the Office of Research and Economic Development and the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, are open through May 10. These awards exemplify MSU's impact and commitment to excellence in research and innovation across a diverse array of disciplines. The Research Awards seek to honor outstanding achievement in the following categories: Ralph E. Powe Research Excellence Award, Mid-Career Research Scholar Award, Emerging Research Scholar Award, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award, Research Professional Award and Research Support Award.

Reminder: University policy addresses employee political activity
With campaigning for elected offices underway this year, Mississippi State's Office of General Counsel offers the following reminder of the university’s policy on political activities. There are several basic guidelines that university employees should keep in mind when engaging in any form of political activity. MSU employees are encouraged to review OP 01.14: Political Activities in its entirety and to understand their rights and responsibilities.

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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Hall endows mechanical engineering school
Mississippi State’s Department of Mechanical Engineering is becoming a named academic school with a cornerstone endowment gift from alumnus Michael W. Hall and his wife Valarie. The Michael W. Hall School of Mechanical Engineering’s namesake originally hails from Pontotoc County, Mississippi and now resides in Nashville, Tennessee, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is a 1995 MSU mechanical engineering graduate of the Bagley College of Engineering. “Students, faculty and industry partners will benefit significantly from this generous gift from the Halls to our great university,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. Bagley College of Engineering Dean Jason Keith said endowment gifts supplement appropriated university funds, allowing a department to grow and excel in the major areas of teaching, research and service.

Raspet Flight Research Lab celebrates 75 years of advancing aviation
Seventy five years ago, August “Gus” Raspet came to Mississippi State University to carry out a vision for aerospace research that pushed the boundaries of what is possible in flight. Last Tuesday, more than 100 people gathered to celebrate the continued success of that vision as MSU marked Raspet Flight Research Lab’s 75th anniversary. “This university is a major research hub for developing the technologies of tomorrow,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “The work right here at the Raspet Flight Research Lab is going to impact not only our state, but our nation and our world. And it all goes back to the vision Dr. Gus Raspet had for what Mississippi State could contribute to what was then the new field of aviation. We have built on that legacy for many years, and we are going to continue building on it.”

MSU Research Week returns in April to celebrate ‘Research that Matters’
Mississippi State will celebrate the university’s impactful research during an extended Research Week April 2-12. With a theme of “Research that Matters,” this year’s Research Week includes several events to highlight the innovations that are driving solutions to current issues and shaping the future of scientific fields. The festivities include showcases, panels, a solar eclipse viewing event, research center tours and more, all culminating with the spring 2024 Undergraduate Research Symposium April 11-12. In addition to university-wide events, several academic colleges and departments are hosting events to highlight research in their fields. For a complete schedule of Research Week events, visit www.research.msstate.edu/initiatives/research-week.

Jersey Mike’s Day of Giving benefits T.K. Martin Center on Wednesday
Mississippi State’s T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability is partnering with Starkville’s Jersey Mike’s Subs for the national restaurant chain’s 14th annual Month of Giving fundraising campaign. Throughout March, customers may round up the total of their orders as donations at checkout or through Jersey Mike’s mobile app. The campaign will culminate with the Day of Giving on Wednesday [March 27], when 100% of the day’s sales at Starkville’s Jersey Mikes will benefit the center. The restaurant is located at 831 MS-12 Suite A, next to Zaxby's. “We are thrilled to partner with Starkville’s Jersey Mike’s for the third consecutive year,” said Kasee K. Stratton-Gadke, executive director of the Mississippi Institute on Disabilities, which houses the T.K. Martin Center.