Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

President Mark E. Keenum touts Mississippi State University’s estimated $3.9 billion annual economic impact during a news conference last week. A recent study finds that for every $1 invested by taxpayers into MSU, $25 in income is generated in Mississippi. PHOTO: Beth Wynn | Public Affairs

Stratton-Gadke receives national Trainers of School Psychologists Presidential Appreciation Award
Mississippi State’s Kasee Stratton-Gadke, executive director of the Mississippi Institute on Disabilities, is the recipient of the national Presidential Appreciation Award given by the Trainers of School Psychologists for service to the organization. TSP fosters the professional development of school psychology trainers and faculty around the world. Stratton-Gadke has served on the executive board since 2017, including a term as president, and is in her final year on the advisory board. She has planned numerous national conferences and served on various committees during her time with TSP. “Receiving the President’s Award from TSP is an honor and was certainly a surprise,” said Stratton-Gadke. “I am so thankful to have had the privilege to work with so many outstanding colleagues across the country to advance training in school psychology.”

MSU Extension names Eubank rice specialist
Will Eubank’s new role as an assistant professor and Extension rice specialist at Mississippi State University’s Delta Research and Extension Center, or DREC, is a full-circle moment. Eubank remembers visiting Stoneville as a young child, peering at glass vials of different types of weed seeds that his father, Tom Eubank, was studying. “If I remembered half of the names of those seeds, I’d be an excellent weed scientist,” he said. “That’s something I look back on fondly -- just spending time here.” Jason Bond, MSU Extension weed scientist and Eubank’s major advisor, said Eubank is a tenacious problem-solver who will be an asset to Delta growers.

MSU-Meridian Simulation Center training future healthcare professionals
More than 200 future physicians assistants, nurses, nutritionists and social workers will receive experiential education this year at Mississippi State University-Meridian’s Interprofessional Simulation Center, a state-of-the-art facility preparing students for real-life medical situations. Opened in 2024, the 7,715-square-foot facility is the only provisionally accredited simulation center housed at a Mississippi university. “So far, we have mainly served nursing and physician assistant students, and we’re thrilled to expand our reach even further,” said Alaina Herrington, director of simulation and clinical affairs. “Since August, we have logged nearly 5,000 learner hours -- a testament to the quality and impact of our training programs.”

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 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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Innovation and Impact: MSU generates $3.9 billion annually for Mississippi’s economy
A new study shows Mississippi State continues to generate a high return on investment for stakeholders with an estimated $3.9 billion annual economic impact. University leaders announced the results of the latest economic impact study during a press conference at MSU last Wednesday [March 19]. Completed by MSU’s National Strategic Planning & Analysis Research Center, or NSPARC, the study found that MSU’s activity sustains more than 80,000 jobs statewide, or one out of every 15 jobs in the state. NSPARC analyzed the impact of MSU’s employment and operations spending, student and visitor spending, research operations, alumni employment, as well as engagement activities in key sectors such as agriculture and forestry.

University unveils new collaboratory at conference on food, ag and national security
Mississippi State University hosted a groundbreaking conference exploring the critical intersection of food and agriculture as national security last Friday [March 21] and announced the establishment of the Food and Agriculture as Competitive Statecraft (FACS) Collaboratory. “By launching the Food and Agriculture as Competitive Statecraft Collaboratory, Mississippi State is taking a bold step to connect expertise across disciplines and tackle the challenges that link agriculture with national and global stability,” MSU Vice President for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine Keith Coble said. “In addition, we’re engaging students in the conversation by launching a new class this fall.”

Thompson garners national acclaim with LA Times book prize selection
Mississippi State’s Joseph M. Thompson, an assistant professor in the Department of History, has been named a finalist for the 45th annual Los Angeles Times book prize in the history category. Thompson’s book “Cold War Country: How Nashville’s Music Row and the Pentagon Created the Sound of American Patriotism,” is one of only five selected nationwide for this prestigious recognition. Published in 2024 by the University of North Carolina Press, “Cold War Country” explores the deep ties between country music and the U.S. military, revealing how the Pentagon and Nashville’s music industry collaborated to shape popular perceptions of patriotism.