Mississippi State expanded its classroom capacity with seating at Humphrey Coliseum for some of the university’s larger Fall 2020 courses, including American Government taught by Assistant Clinical Professor Whit Waide. President Mark E. Keenum welcomed undergraduates in Waide's class to the Hump last week, encouraging them in their academics and asking them to continue to “be brave” in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs
Collaborative success: MSU, Starkville honored with Mississippi Main Street Association awards
Great things can happen when great minds work together, and Mississippi State and the City of Starkville are proving this concept rings true with their acceptance of two awards from the Mississippi Main Street Association. During the association’s annual recognition program, which was held virtually, MMSA presented its Outstanding Economic Impact Award to “Orientation Dine Around Downtown.” The project is a collaboration between MSU’s Office of Admissions and Scholarships and its Office of Orientation and Events, along with the Starkville Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Starkville Main Street Association. Additionally, MMSA’s Outstanding Entrepreneurial Endeavor Award went to the MSU Idea Shop, a 2,000-square-foot downtown makerspace and retail storefront that opened in March 2019.
University celebrates first online Bachelor of Applied Science graduate
Mississippi State’s first graduate of the university’s new Bachelor of Applied Science program is praising the degree path as “a great opportunity for students who want to go into management without having to start over with a four-year degree.” MSU and the university’s Center for Distance Education are announcing that Kyle Pierce is the first to graduate from the program that launched a year ago, significantly expanding the university’s acceptance of technical credit from community colleges and military training. “It is remarkable to think that we have our very first Bachelor of Applied Science graduate less than a year after announcing this innovative program last August,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. “I appreciate the hard work and commitment of our faculty and staff to develop an exceptional BAS curriculum, and I congratulate Kyle on his wonderful achievement. A college degree opens so many doors that lead to outstanding opportunities. The BAS at Mississippi State is preparing Mississippians for the jobs of the future, and we look forward to seeing many more BAS graduates in the years to come.”
Communicating Science Summit: 'Creating Connections' virtual workshop coming up Sept. 2
The inaugural Mississippi Science Communication Summit will bring together faculty, researchers, staff and graduate students from across the state who are interested in strengthening their skills in science communication. This online summit will include an interactive virtual workshop on Sept. 2 from 2-4:30 p.m. titled "Creating Connections." The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science will facilitate this session. The workshop will include techniques for making messages memorable, reducing use of jargon, strategizing messages, and developing an engaging online presence.
Everbridge app now offers additional features to keep MSU community safe, healthy
Mississippi State University's emergency notification app, Everbridge, now offers additional features to help keep students, faculty and staff safe and healthy this semester. For download instructions, visit www.emergency.msstate.edu/app. The app will remind you each morning to complete a short Wellness Check before you start your day. The app also has a symptom checker. This questionnaire asks about possible symptoms and notifies the Health Center if you are not feeling well. You can complete the symptom checker at any time.
Instructional guide supports faculty with resources for innovative teaching methods
Educators across the country have adjusted to new teaching formats during the coronavirus pandemic, and as they look ahead to soon returning to in-person classrooms, the need for flexible teaching methods continues to be at the forefront of discussion among universities nationwide. Mississippi State’s Online Education Task Force is helping faculty implement a variety of teaching approaches. A new website, www.instructionalguide.msstate.edu, brings together an abundance of information to help prepare for in-person and remote instruction this fall. Resources have been compiled from the university’s Center for Distance Education, Center for Teaching and Learning, Information Technology Services and University Libraries.
Census Bureau shortens deadline from Oct. 31 to Sept. 30, sounding alarm for Mississippi
Mississippi is responding to a surprise decision announced Aug. 3 by the U.S. Census Bureau to shorten the census deadline by one month, from Oct. 31 to Sept. 30. “I challenge everyone in the Mississippi State University family to register and ‘be counted’ for the census,” said Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum. “An accurate census count puts Mississippi in line for the maximum return of federal investment back into our state for things like highways, education, and healthcare.”
Looking for a way to help? Give to the MSU Student Relief Fund
The Mississippi State University community continually exhibits a great sense of responsibility and caring for enrolled students that make the land-grant institution such a special place. The MSU Student Relief Fund, built with private gifts, helps those members of the student body affected with day-to-day crises or like now, the impact to their daily lives posed by COVID-19. The Dean of Students' Office assesses needs and administers the fund for acute crises that may impact students’ ability to succeed academically. The MSU Foundation accepts gifts year-round for the MSU Student Relief Fund. Contributions for this effort can be made online or by contacting the Annual Giving office at (662) 325-2466.
S.M.A.R.T. passengers must wear face coverings
The Starkville-Mississippi State University Area Rapid Transit -- known as S.M.A.R.T. -- requires all passengers in the local community and on campus wear face coverings. Ridership capacity is 19 passengers plus the driver, and all buses are disinfected on a daily basis. For information on SMART service times and routes, please visit www.smart.msstate.edu.
Mississippi State, ParkMobile partner to provide contactless parking options for campus visitors
ParkMobile, the leading provider of smart parking and mobility solutions in the U.S., has launched service on Mississippi State University’s campus in Starkville. Visitors on campus will be able to use the ParkMobile app to pay for parking at over 12,000 spaces around campus. With the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, campus leaders are encouraging visitors to use the app instead of the pay stations or traditional visitor passes. The ParkMobile app is available for both iPhone and Android devices.
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.
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