Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Dylan Karges, lead horticulture crew member for MSU Campus Landscape, sits by his latest installation of rocks, palms and monkey grass on the eastern side of Hilbun Hall. Part of an ongoing project, the existing and upcoming enhancements across campus add new life to building exteriors while simultaneously creating a tasteful nod to each corresponding department. PHOTO: Grace Cockrell | Public Affairs

Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving raises almost $9,000 for T.K. Martin Center
Starkville’s Jersey Mike’s Subs presented Mississippi State University’s T.K. Martin Center a donation of almost $9,000 raised during the national restaurant chain’s 14th annual Month of Giving campaign in March. Pictured from left are local store manager Carl Jones; owners Bret, Jennifer and Charlie Dunnaway; Tri Delta representative Rebecca Lynn Dickerson; and Mississippi Institute on Disabilities Executive Director Kasee Stratton-Gadke.

Cadence makes $2,500 donation to Bully’s Pantry
Cadence Bank Community Bank President Loren “Bo” Bell (left) and Starkville Crossing Branch Manager Shawnecce Ford (second from right) presented a $2,500 donation to Bully’s Pantry to Mississippi State University Associate Dean of Students Tabor Mullen and Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt (right) last week. A collaborative effort between the Division of Student Affairs and the Student Association, Bully’s Pantry provides nutritious food, toiletries, school supplies and other necessary items to students in need.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Anne Marie Gregory
Happy and Healthy -- the two go hand-in-hand for Anne Marie Gregory, and she’s on a mission to help others adopt the concept. As a registered dietitian and a community wellness planner, Gregory’s work is part of the Mississippi State University Extension “HappyHealthy” initiative. “Research indicates that children raised on a healthy diet are more likely to adopt healthy eating habits as they mature,” said Gregory. “We only get one body and one life. I teach people that they can make healthy choices and also have fun in the process.” Gregory provides services in Leflore County, delivering healthy meal planning guidance, hosting cooking classes, and educating students on nutrition through school visits. While her services are open to all, she focuses on individuals receiving SNAP benefits.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Jessica Myers
Alligators, snakes and owls -- Jessica Myers sees all kinds of wildlife working at Mississippi State University. She’s not a wildlife biologist but the senior accountant for the College of Forest Resources, CFR, and the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, FWRC. “I love working in CFR and FWRC and learning new things,” said Myers. “Sometimes we get to interact with wildlife and help with events such as the Wood Magic Science Fair where 3rd and 4th graders from all over Mississippi come to campus to learn about wood and wood products.” In her role, Myers pays invoices, reconciles accounts and leave, keys payroll and processes hiring paperwork for the dean’s office. She also assists with the college’s and department’s budget and other financial reports.

Bost Drive extension closes soccer parking lot
Phase two of the Bost Drive extension project begins Monday [May 20] and will necessitate the closing of the parking lot located adjacent to the soccer press box. The Bost Drive extension project is expected to conclude Aug. 7. Drivers and pedestrians are advised to use caution while traveling through the area. Please contact the Facilities Management Service Desk at 662-325-2005 with questions.

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.

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.

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.

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IHL Board approves two new MSU-Meridian healthcare schools
In a bold move toward addressing Mississippi’s critical healthcare personnel shortages by expanding healthcare education, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning last Thursday [May 16] approved Mississippi State University’s proposal to establish two new schools in downtown Meridian. Located on the MSU-Meridian Riley Campus where the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree program is already housed, the College Board approved the School of Health Professions and the School of Nursing. “I am grateful to the Board of Trustees for recognizing the vital partnership between MSU, the regional medical community and the civic and governmental leadership in Meridian and Lauderdale County that will transform healthcare opportunities and the quality of life throughout our state,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum.

College of Education receives national Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement
Mississippi State’s College of Education is a recipient of the Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement, a reflection of the university’s commitment to strengthening P-12 learning. Given by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, or CAEP, the national recognition is based upon evidence and data trends provided by the university’s undergraduate teacher education programs that have achieved accreditation with no areas for improvement or stipulations. “This award validates the high-quality undergraduate teacher education programs we offer through our college and the outstanding work done by our faculty, staff, students and P-12 partners,” said Teresa Jayroe, dean of the MSU College of Education. “We are honored to achieve this national recognition.”

CALS, MAFES employees honored for excellence in teaching, research, service
The Mississippi State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station recently honored faculty and staff for outstanding teaching, research and service endeavors. Scott Willard, CALS dean and MAFES director, spoke about both MSU divisions and their growth and success over the past year. “CALS enrollment has remained steady with more than 2,400 students, and, each year, we continue to graduate a record number of students, and 2023 was no exception with over 600 students graduating from our college,” he said. “During the fiscal year of 2023, MAFES scientists secured more than 420 extramural awards totaling over $47 million, making up just under 20% of all MSU awards."

Updated Edwards Building supports MSU’s innovative steel manufacturing research
A newly renovated facility on the Mississippi State campus is forging new capabilities and partnerships in steel manufacturing and materials research. The Edwards Building, located behind the Industrial Education Building at the eastern edge of the parking lot, has been optimized to meet the research needs of MSU’s Michael W. Hall School of Mechanical Engineering and the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems. The updated facility is helping MSU researchers improve steel production methods as the industry works toward the next generation of steel alloys. “From melting and casting to rolling and forging downstream processes, these facilities enable MSU researchers to advance steel development in areas relevant to both industrial and government sectors,” said CAVS Research Engineer Dawn Van Iderstine.