Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi Department of Archives and History representatives visited with MSU President Mark E. Keenum, center, last Monday [June 16] to discuss the field school partnership the state agency and university have at Historic Jefferson College in Adams County. The program gives students in MSU’s historic preservation graduate program hands-on learning millwork experiences with doors, windows, moldings and mantles as MDAH rehabilitates the site’s eight buildings for use as an interpretive center and permanent preservation field school. Pictured are, from left, Angi Bourgeois, MSU College of Architecture, Art and Design dean; and MDAH’s Tommy Goodwin and Robert Benson, deputy directors; Meredith Massey, historic preservation deputy director; Molly West, agency consultant; and Barry White, historic preservation director. PHOTO: Grace Cockrell | Public Affairs

Hybrid physical therapy doctoral program on horizon at MSU-Meridian
Mississippi State University is continuing to take crucial steps in improving health outcomes in rural Mississippi and beyond after the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning voted last Thursday [June 19] to approve MSU’s new Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program. This hybrid program will be the first of its kind in Mississippi to admit applicants from any background who have completed the appropriate prerequisites. The program will utilize online and onsite components to enhance student accessibility to the degree, while addressing projected PT shortages and healthcare needs.

New bachelor’s degree in learning, user experience design launching in August
Mississippi State is launching a new bachelor’s degree this August to prepare students for cutting-edge careers in learning and user experience design, one of the fastest growing career fields. Housed in the College of Education’s Department of Industrial Technology, Instructional Design, and Community College Leadership, MSU’s new Bachelor of Science in Learning and User Experience Design is the result of a major makeover of MSU’s current information technology services degree program being phased out this fall. The new degree was created in consultation with an industry expert to equip students for today’s dynamic design landscape.

MSU Lyceum Series season ticket renewals available, ticket sales begin July 1
Mississippi State’s 78th annual Lyceum Series promises to delight throughout its upcoming season, bringing the Magnolia State’s own Grammy-winning blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Christone “Kingfish” Ingram to the stage this December. Season ticket renewals opened June 9, ushering in a dynamic 2025-26 lineup featuring an eclectic mix of world-class music, theater and dance performances. New season and mini-series ticket sales for the season’s six-part series go on sale July 1, while individual tickets are available starting Aug. 20. The season opens Sept. 26 with Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book.” This Theatre MSU play adaptation takes place at 7 p.m. in McComas Theatre.

MSU Riley Center announces 2025-26 Fall and Winter Performing Arts Series
An adventurous array of musical artists is set to excite audiences during Mississippi State’s Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts 2025-26 Fall and Winter Performing Arts Series. The six-concert season begins in August and runs through January 2026. It welcomes a stellar lineup of artists whose influence spans genres and generations. “Each artist brings a unique energy to the stage, promising unforgettable experiences for our audiences,” said Morgan Dudley, Riley Center director. “This season celebrates not only the power of performance but also the continued growth of the MSU Riley Center as a premier destination for the performing arts in Mississippi and beyond.” Dudley said the MSU Riley Center thanks The Riley Foundation, The Phil Hardin Foundation, MSU and Friends of the Lady members, whose continued support helps make these shows possible.

Airport shuttle departure schedule adjusted to meet airline baggage check changes
A 45-minute cutoff for checking baggage with Delta and American airlines has changed the express shuttle times offered by Mississippi State Transportation to Golden Triangle Regional Airport. The GTRA express shuttle now departs The Mill at MSU two hours before flight time and arrives at the airport one and a half hours before flight time. This is 30 minutes earlier than the previous schedule. Shuttle pickups from the Starkville campus and hotels along Highway 12 also can be scheduled with MSU if reservations are made at least 24 hours prior to the requested departure time from these locations. This service is available by emailing GTRShuttle@transportation.msstate.edu or calling 662-325-5204.

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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Rendon named Mississippi Veteran of the Year, cast vote to support his national recognition
Mississippi State’s own Andrew Rendon, the university’s executive director for veteran and military affairs, is the Magnolia State’s 2025 Veteran of the Year, designated by MilitaryFriendly.com. In addition to his civilian role as a longtime professional member of MSU’s Division of Student Affairs, Rendon is a brigadier general in the Mississippi National Guard. The university is congratulating Rendon, while also encouraging Bulldogs to vote to elevate his recognition nationally. Online voting at www.militaryfriendly.com/oy/veteran/state is open through July 4.

Carruth named to national Automotive Research Center Executive Committee
A Mississippi State University researcher recognized for his expertise in modeling, simulation and off-road autonomy has been selected for a leadership role with the University of Michigan’s Automotive Research Center. Daniel Carruth, associate director at MSU’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, or CAVS, has been named to the ARC’s Executive Committee. As a committee member, Carruth will serve as the school liaison and strengthen institutional collaborations across ARC, a longstanding research partner for MSU on projects related to off-road autonomous vehicles.

Olivier honored with national new professional award
Nelson Olivier, Mississippi State director of integrated security management, has earned the New Professional Award by the National Association of Campus Card Users. Olivier has served as director for eight years and has been with the university for more than a decade. He leads a team of nine that oversees the university’s extensive campus electronic safety infrastructure, including thousands of campus security cameras, electronic access for more than 40,000 cardholders, drone detection system and more. “We handle anything and everything related to electronic safety,” he said.

Bondurant receives Mathematical Association of America, Tensor Foundation outreach grant
Mississippi State’s Liza Bondurant is among 46 nationwide recipients of Mathematical Association of America Outreach grants helping fund math outreach efforts across the U.S. and its territories this year. An associate professor of secondary mathematics education, Bondurant is receiving a $6,000 grant funded by the MAA and Tensor Foundation for her project “CREATE Math - Cultivating Rehumanized Embodied Approaches To Education.” The initiative will facilitate mentoring relationships between female MSU pre-service math teachers and local female math teachers while providing professional learning opportunities focused on embodied approaches to math education.