Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Beloved MSU Dining Services employee Annie Doss welcomes students with high-fives at last week's “Peace Out, Perry” -- a send-off party bidding a temporary farewell to The Marketplace at Perry as it begins major renovations. It will be closed during the 2024-25 academic year and will reopen in August 2025 as Perry Hall with exciting new concepts. The historic building, known for its cathedral-style arches, was built in 1921. PHOTO: Cameron Mazingo | Public Affairs

CALS presents Dean’s Awards to Ryan, Turners
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Dean Scott Willard presented two Dean’s Awards at the CALS Super Bulldog Weekend Breakfast sponsored by Mississippi Farm Bureau in April. Executive Vice Provost and MSU Graduate School Dean Peter Ryan, an animal and dairy sciences professor, was recognized for his tremendous support of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Steve and Jenny Turner were recognized for Steve’s dedication as former department head of the Department of Agricultural Economics within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of the Southern Rural Development Center and Jenny’s work and support with CALS degree programs in the registrar’s office.

Perry Cafeteria, area infrastructure closing for construction
Renovations to Perry Cafeteria beginning Monday [May 13] will temporarily close the dining hall and infrastructure adjacent to the designated construction zone. Infrastructure impacted by the closure include portions of the brick-paved walking path between Perry Cafeteria and Colvard Student Union, and sidewalks and parking spaces along Walker Road and Tracy Drive. Outdoor spaces located on the south side and west side of Perry Cafeteria will also be closed during the renovation. Drivers and pedestrians are encouraged to use caution while traveling through the area.

Sanderson Center roof replacement prompts temporary sidewalk closures, reroutes pedestrian traffic
Construction to replace the existing roof at the Sanderson Center is scheduled to begin Monday [May 13]. During the roof replacement, a portion of the sidewalk and bike lane adjacent to the facility and along Bailey Howell Drive will be closed. Access to the main entrance of the Sanderson Center may also be limited during construction. A temporary entrance and new sidewalk are located on the east side of the building. Individuals visiting the facility are urged to use caution entering and exiting the building. The reroofing project is scheduled to be completed in late September.

Residence hall construction temporarily closing portions of Barr Ave., area infrastructure
Barr Avenue, from Old Main Academic Center to Critz Hall, will temporarily close Monday [May 13] due to ongoing construction of Azalea Hall. The closure also includes parking areas along Barr Avenue and sidewalks on the north side of Barr Avenue and the west side of George Perry Street. The closure is scheduled through Aug. 1. Drivers and pedestrians are encouraged to use caution while traveling through the area. Please contact the Facilities Management Service Desk at 662-325-2005 if you have any questions.

Carpenter Hall elevator replacement causes temporary sidewalk, plaza closures
A portion of the sidewalk and the plaza located between Carpenter and Etheredge halls will close Monday [May 13] for the installation of a new elevator at Carpenter Hall. Pedestrians will utilize sidewalk detours through Aug. 1 while workers complete the project. Those traveling through the area are advised to use caution.

Funding opportunity: Fish Innovation Lab request for applications
The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish, managed by the Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security affiliated with the College of Veterinary Medicine, requests concept notes due by 5 p.m. Eastern U.S. time on May 15, 2024, showcasing proposed research to alleviate poverty and improve nutrition, especially for marginalized populations, through the reliable and inclusive provision of nutrient-rich fish and other aquatic foods. Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Fish Innovation Lab supports Feed the Future's mission to break the vicious cycle of poverty and hunger in partner countries.

Free learning opportunities via LinkedIn Learning available to faculty, staff and students
Sharpen skills. Explore new interests. Increase professional value. These and other results are now available via no-cost learning opportunities to Mississippi State faculty, staff and students through MSU’s new agreement with LinkedIn Learning. A popular, online education platform, LinkedIn Learning’s 20,000-plus courses are available to campus via a quick login using their MSU NetID email addresses. “Whether it’s a faculty member looking to add a supplemental resource to their course or professional development plan, a student looking to add a certification badge to their existing LinkedIn profile, or a staff member itching to venture into new areas of technology, there’s a wealth of information available to the entire MSU Bulldog family at no cost to them,” said Brent Fountain, MSU vice provost.

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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Latest Bulldog graduates ready to ‘change lives, make the world a better place’
Four years ago, high school graduates entered an uncertain world turned upside down by a pandemic. Now as Mississippi State alumni, the Class of 2024 is prepared to face the challenges of the coming decades and shape the world for the better, President Mark E. Keenum said during commencement ceremonies last Thursday [May 9] and Friday [May 10]. “For many of you, you arrived on campus as freshmen during a not-so-happy time. I know it was a hard way to begin life as a college student, but you had to persevere and overcome a lot of challenges. Look at how far you’ve come,” Keenum said. “I know all of you are well prepared to transition from college to what comes next. You are prepared for all the incredible changes you are going to face. You are prepared for the 21st century. It belongs to you.”

Potts named Vice President for Finance and Administration
Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum last Monday [May 6] announced Les Potts as the university’s Vice President for Finance and Administration. Potts has served as interim vice president since July 1, 2023. “While serving as interim vice president for the past 10 months, Les has provided the university with the critical continuity of operations and stability necessary during a transition,” said Keenum. His appointment is pending formal approval by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. For the past 15 years, Potts has worked in MSU’s Division of Finance and Administration on appropriations and budgets, contracts, efficiencies, and multiple special projects, many of which involved campus operations and infrastructure.

Warkentin designated Association for Information Systems Fellow
Mississippi State’s Merrill Warkentin, the James J. Rouse Endowed Professor of Information Systems, has been named an Association for Information Systems Fellow. Warkentin, also a William L. Giles Distinguished Professor, is receiving this prestigious international designation for his outstanding contributions to research, teaching and service in the field of information systems. College of Business Dean Scott Grawe said, “We are thrilled to see the AIS community recognize Dr. Warkentin with this prestigious award. We are proud not only of the great work that he has produced, but also his mentorship of doctoral students and junior scholars.” Warkentin’s research primarily focuses on the impacts of organizational, contextual, situational and dispositional influences on individual computer user behaviors in the contexts of information security, privacy, social media and e-government.

Banda new executive director of Mississippi Veterinary Research and Diagnostic Laboratory System
The Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Dr. Alejandro Banda is the new executive director of the Mississippi Veterinary Research and Diagnostic Laboratory System, or MVRDLS. The MVRDLS consists of four laboratories located in three geographic sites operated by MSU CVM. A longtime faculty member, Banda is a clinical professor in veterinary virology in the CVM Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine. “We are excited about Dr. Banda moving into the executive director role because he brings a wealth of experience from his work at the Poultry Research and Diagnostic Laboratory and fully understands the important mission of the MVRDLS,” MSU CVM Dean Dr. Nicholas Frank said.