Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

The New Maroon Camp Class of 2024 gathers at Dudy Noble Field to form a massive cowbell, marking a new tradition for incoming freshmen at Mississippi State University. This week-long, student-led retreat helps first-year students transition to MSU by exploring the university's history and traditions, while connecting with fellow students, discovering involvement opportunities, and getting to know the campus. Fall classes begin Wednesday [Aug. 21]. PHOTO: Grace Cockrell | Public Affairs

Lemus honored with distinguished service award
A Mississippi State University Extension Service forage specialist recently received a national award for his high-quality work and effective program development. Rocky Lemus was given the distinguished service award from the National Association of County Agriculture Agents, or NACAA, during their 2024 annual conference in Dallas last month. NACAA is a nationwide professional organization established for Extension educators, agents and other professionals who work in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and natural resources, 4-H youth development, community development and related disciplines. Lemus is the MSU Extension forage specialist, as well as an Extension and research professor and leader of the MSU Center for Forage Management and Environmental Stewardship.

Wijewardane, Martins, Zhang developing autonomous soil health-sensing system with USDA NIFA grant
Mississippi State University researchers are advancing agricultural applications for a sustainable future with a new $750,000 grant to develop cutting-edge, soil health-sensing technology and ultimately improve farm efficiency. With the ultimate objective of developing an unmanned ground vehicle capable of independently assessing soil health, a team of scientists is using spectroscopic technology that measures the interaction of different wavelengths, or colors, with chemical compounds found in soil. Leading the team is Nuwan Wijewardane, along with colleagues Vitor Martins and Xin Zhang, all assistant professors in the MSU Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and scientists in the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, or MAFES. The trio will delve into the intricacies of soil by examining its carbon compounds, textures and other properties.

Rangappa secures major funding to address rice crisis using Heat MAGIC
With more than 3.5 billion people relying on rice as a staple nutrient, climate change threatens to impact the quality and nutritional value of this vital grain. Raju Bheemanahalli Rangappa, an MSU assistant research professor in plant and soil sciences, is empowered to find sustainable solutions to the rice crisis with a $720,500 grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The university’s Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, or MAFES, team is using heat multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross, or Heat MAGIC, populations of rice to test tolerance to various temperature combinations, increasing the chances of finding viable solutions.

MSU building interdisciplinary expertise in antimicrobial resistance to improve food safety worldwide
Mississippi State researchers confronting the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance in agriculture and aquaculture discussed their work during a recent workshop involving United Nations representatives. Hosted by the Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security -- which manages the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Reference Center on Antimicrobial Resistance and Aquaculture Biosecurity -- and the university’s Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, this month’s MSU Aquatic Antimicrobial Resistance Workshop brought together faculty, staff and students from six university departments and served as a forum for enhancing collaboration and coordination.

Zuckerman's book, research provide new insight on infectious, chronic degenerative diseases
A Mississippi State University faculty member provides critical updates regarding the spread of infectious diseases and rise of chronic and degenerative diseases in a second edition of her co-authored book “Emerging Infections: Three Epidemiological Transitions from Prehistory to the Present” released this summer. Her work on ancient DNA also has been published this summer in several highly lauded scientific journals. Professor Molly K. Zuckerman, a biological anthropologist in MSU’s Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures said, “In this new edition, we explore how both ancient and modern changes in human behavior -- from the start of farming to the rise of fast, low-cost international travel -- has driven recent epidemics, including COVID-19 and obesity."

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Dylan Williams
“Showroom ready” may not be how most would describe acres of row crops, but for Research Associate Dylan Williams, it’s his goal. Williams oversees 40 acres of research trials at the Mississippi State University R.R. Foil Plant Science Research Center, better known as “North Farm,” that contribute to groundbreaking agricultural advancements. Under the guidance of Dr. Jagman Dhillon, Williams ensures that every detail is accounted for, from meeting strict deadlines to maintaining an impeccable, weed-free environment. "I chose this career because of the gratification of having research trials that appeal to the eye for presentations, going out to your fields and retrieving data from crops that you’re growing and the fact you never stop learning while building working relationships with many great people,” said Williams.

DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Laura Anglin
Extension Agents wear many hats from day to day -- and sometimes even hour to hour -- but for Mississippi State University Extension Agent Laura Anglin, one of her favorite hats to wear is that of youth development. “I get so much joy from working with our youth and seeing them learn and grow,” said Anglin. Extension has played a lifelong role in Anglin’s life. She grew up participating in the 4-H livestock program but emphasized how many areas 4-H offers for youth to get involved, including sewing, robotics, cooking, STEM, and many outdoor activities.

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.

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.

New faculty welcomed to campus
A total of 141 new faculty were welcomed by Mississippi State’s President Mark E. Keenum for the beginning of the university’s 2024-25 fall semester during a New Faculty Orientation earlier this month. All eight academic colleges, and many of the university’s centers and institutes across the state, are represented among the group of incoming employees. New Faculty Orientation introduces recently hired Bulldogs to MSU's culture and resources through interactive workshops, while also connecting them with key administrators and colleagues who provide insight on such services as academic support and professional development.

Food trucks wheel onto campus this week, serving variety of mobile meal options
Mississippi State is joining the food truck craze this fall as several local vendors wheel onto campus to tickle the taste buds of university students and employees. With everything from barbecue to burgers, MSU Dining Services is positioning rotating trucks at convenient locations across campus. Two on the YMCA Plaza -- including the Perry Food Truck -- will kick off the new food fare options on the first day of class, Wednesday [Aug. 21]. Starkville’s Spotlight Café, West Point’s BBQ Drippins and Pressed for Time will join them with staggered start dates and all will open Monday through Friday. The new Dawg Dollars -- previously Flex Dollars -- in the fall’s dining plan can be used by students through the Grubhub app for food truck ordering. The app is the access point for students and employees to order from most of the trucks and is downloadable at msstatedining.campusdish.com/MobileOrdering.

91.1 The Junction: MSU radio boasts new name, sound and voice
Mississippi State’s radio station is celebrating its 30th year in operation with a new name, new sound and new pulse for the Golden Triangle community. 91.1 The Junction, formerly known as World Class Radio, combines the diversity of MSU’s campus with the liveliness of The Junction on gamedays. The new image and branding now represents the true nature of the station -- Adult Album Alternative format where the genres of alternative, blues, indie rock, pop and Americana converge. Neil Price, the station’s general manager since October, has made great strides to improve the station’s coverage, facilities, student engagement, experiential learning and branding.

University announces 2024-25 Faculty Leadership Program cohort
Twenty Mississippi State employees are part of a university cohort developed to enhance skills in preparation for future leadership roles. The Faculty Leadership Program’s Class of 2024 features faculty from a variety of departments. “While faculty members may be leaders in their specialty areas, many may not have had the opportunity to develop their skills and deepen their knowledge about managing institutions,” Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan said. The Faculty Leadership Program exposes faculty standouts to the skills, processes and mindset needed to lead the university forward in its learning, service and research mission, Jordan said. The Office of Research and Economic Development and the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President spearhead the program each year.