Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

More than 40 chapters and clubs of the Mississippi State University Alumni Association are hosting summer send-off parties for new MSU students through Aug. 8. Now in its 19th year, this MSU tradition allows incoming first-year students, transfers and their families to meet with future classmates, alums, friends and current students to learn more about life at the university. The events also serve as a networking tool, enabling participants to establish meaningful connections with fellow Bulldogs near their hometown. For a schedule of this year’s send-off parties and locations, visit www.alumni.msstate.edu/sendoff.

Jha honored at international conference
Prakash Jha, an assistant professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, recently shared his Mississippi-based agricultural climatology research with colleagues halfway around the world. He was invited to serve as an international advisor at Bihar Agricultural University’s (BAU) inaugural International Seminar on Empowering Agriculture and Rural Economy (EAR-2024), held last month in Sabour, India. Jha, whose research focuses on remote sensing, crop modeling and using climate modeling to assess the impacts of climate change, was invited to organize a session related to climate and livelihood and to serve as a keynote speaker for that session.

Donohoe named electrical and computer engineering interim department head
A longtime faculty member and Mississippi State retiree has been named the interim head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Two-time MSU alum and retired professor Pat Donohoe will return to campus as the interim head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “I have known Dr. Donohoe for many years and can attest to his love for Mississippi State, the Bagley College, and the electrical and computer engineering department,” Robert Green, Interim Dean of the Bagley College of Engineering, said. “Dr. Donohoe’s interests in research and teaching will serve him well as interim department head as he leads the department forward. I appreciate his willingness to come out of retirement to fill this important role.”

Alumnus supports university’s K-9 officers
A Mississippi State alumnus and leader of a renowned animal nutraceuticals company is giving back to his alma mater by supporting its K-9 officers’ health. Thanks to Nutramax Laboratories CEO Dr. Todd Henderson, a 1992 graduate of Mississippi State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the MSU Police Department received four Yeti coolers filled with digestive, skin, coat and joint supplements -- along with additional swag for the MSU PD K-9s’ handlers -- this month. MSU’s relationship with Nutramax is just one of many collaborations with industry vital to fulfilling the university’s mission of learning, service and research, said Jimmy Kight, CVM senior director of development.

MSU-led Mississippi Cyber Initiative encourages collaboration, preparation in summit
A crisis is not the time to be exchanging business cards. That was the message to cybersecurity leaders from Supervisory Intelligence Analyst Jamie Hankins of the FBI’s Jackson Field Office during the Mississippi Cyber Initiative’s Quarterly Cyber Summit held at Mississippi College in Clinton earlier this month. The Mississippi State University-led Mississippi Cyber Initiative is forging new connections to help the Magnolia State defend against and protect itself from cyberattacks, with the recent summit at MC bringing together key stakeholders in defense, government, academia and industry.

MSU tackles climate change threats to soybean production through collaborative $6M NSF grant
Mississippi State University scientists are collaborating on a $6 million National Science Foundation research project to ensure sustainable soybean yields despite rising temperatures and increasing drought. The interdisciplinary Program of Advancing Climate Extreme Resilience in Soybeans, or iPACERS, also includes Clemson University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and aims to build soybean resilience against these challenges. Nuwan Wijewardane, assistant professor in MSU’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, leads the MSU team, focusing on the above-ground aspects of the plant by recording environmental conditions and capturing plant phenotypes via unmanned aerial and ground vehicles.

From the Deep South to Down Under: MSU flying fox research, new technology combine to prevent viral transmission
From some 8,000 miles away, Mississippi State scientist Manuel Ruiz-Aravena in the university’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center is studying flying foxes, or fruit bats, in Australia to determine the likely causes of viral spillover from animal to human. The assistant professor in wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture watches thousands of signatures streak across his computer screen as a cauldron of flying foxes leave their roost near Australia’s east coast to forage. It’s a novel experience made possible for the first time using emerging technology -- live radar -- alongside Ruiz-Aravena’s international research.

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. With self-paced learning, courses are presented in various formats, including bite-sized video, audio only and in-depth content. The platform is directly integrated with Canvas, the university’s learning management system. MSU faculty can use it to supplement course material or even develop and load their own content onto the platform.

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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Rendon promoted to brigadier general in Mississippi National Guard
Mississippi State alumnus Andrew Rendon, the university’s executive director for Veterans and Military Affairs, was promoted from colonel to brigadier general in the Mississippi National Guard last week. MSU President Mark E. Keenum commended Rendon with his leadership supporting the armed forces, military students and his country. Rendon’s service and commitment to others -- along with Bulldogs, cowbells and Edam cheese -- is what the university is known for, Keenum added. “We’re also known for our values. Our core values that define who we are at MSU: integrity, strong work ethic and respect for others,” Keenum said. “Gen. Rendon embodies all of these values, and he lives them every single day. So, it’s an honor to recognize him and his achievements this afternoon as he begins this new chapter of service to our state and our nation.”

Interprofessional Simulation Program granted provisional accreditation, set for student use this fall at MSU-Meridian
The international Society for Simulation in Healthcare Accreditation Council has granted provisional accreditation to MSU-Meridian’s Interprofessional Simulation Program. Providing hands-on instruction using the latest testing and control rooms, the program features six clinical exam rooms, six medical surgical rooms, computer learning stations, a proctor area for facilitator observation and five prebriefing and debriefing rooms with recording and reviewing capabilities. “By adhering to the highest standards of simulation, we are not only enhancing the learning experience but also ultimately improving patient care,” said Alaina Herrington, associate professor of nursing and director of Simulation and Clinical Affairs.

Supplemental Instruction gains reaccreditation, helps students succeed in challenging courses
A Mississippi State program that helps students achieve classroom success is receiving reaccreditation for a three-year period. One of less than 65 accredited Supplemental Instruction programs in the U.S., one of four in the Southeastern Conference and the only one in Mississippi, MSU’s SI program is free for students and designed to increase academic success in course students may find challenging. It is directed by MSU’s Center for Academic Excellence. “This is a great accomplishment for the Supplemental Instruction program here at MSU,” said Clay Armstrong, executive director of the university’s Center for Academic Excellence. “As proud as I am of the reaccreditation, I am most proud of the real-world impact the program has had and continues to have."

One Good Idea wins conservation award
The Mississippi State University Extension Service was part of a team that received a national award in July for innovation in conservation efforts. The Soil and Water Conservation Society gave the Conservation Innovation Award to the One Good Idea online platform, which is a component of a larger project led by Beth Baker, associate Extension professor in the MSU Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, and involves five multi-state partners. “One Good Idea is a collaborative effort between farmers and university Extension specialists to help all farmers share ideas and innovations to advance conservation delivery and adoption in the Mississippi River Basin,” Baker said.