Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw, left, and President Mark E. Keenum, right, present Col. Robert L. Barnes Jr. with an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree during last Friday morning's [May 13] commencement ceremony. A 1972 MSU graduate, Barnes was the first African American ROTC cadet to be commissioned into the U.S. Army from MSU. He actively promotes MSU through involvement with the Central Mississippi Alumni Chapter and as chair of the Black Alumni Advisory Council, which he helped organize in 2016. In 2021, he was named as the College of Arts and Sciences’ Alumnus of the Year. PHOTO: Beth Wynn | Public Affairs
MSU releases new Bermuda grass turf for truer putting greens
Mississippi State scientists are developing new turfgrass varieties for putting greens that hold golf shots with truer putting potential. Scientists in the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station have developed two new turfgrass cultivars as the first hybrid Bermuda grass cultivars unrelated to the commonly used “Tifgreen.” “The superior performance of these two grasses provides stakeholders with new options in the putting green market,” said Assistant Professor Hongxu Dong, who specializes in turfgrass breeding and genetics. Recently retired MSU turfgrass breeder Wayne Philley led the MAFES development. Both grasses are available for licensing.
Students advance with hands-on UAV studies
Mississippi State students are taking advantage of a new experiential learning opportunity to gain skills on the cutting edge of technology and study unmanned aircraft vehicles, or UAVs, from the inside out. MSU’s Unmanned Aerial Systems Precision Ag Flight program has, since 2019, offered UAV flight instruction to students, but a custom-made tabletop drone now provides further hands-on classroom learning. Amelia Fox, an assistant clinical professor who joined the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences in 2015 when it was beginning to use UAVs in classes, said her job is to “break down issues in emerging technology.” When she began instruction on UAV operation there was no curriculum, so she developed one.
Emeritus recommendations due to the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President by June 20
It is time for submission of Emeritus recommendations. If deans and department heads wish to recommend anyone for Emeritus status, that person should be identified as soon as possible. These recommendations should proceed from the Department Head through the Dean to the Provost. Please see OP 13.01: Emeritus Appointment. Each letter of recommendation should state the justification for the request, including the number of years of service to Mississippi State University. These recommendations will be forwarded to the President for approval. The deadline to submit a recommendation to the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President is June 20.
HRM now accepting Leadership Development Program applications
Mississippi State's Human Resources Management is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 Leadership Development Program. The application deadline is June 17. To meet eligibility requirements, applicants must be preparing for a mid- to senior-level leadership role; direct major tasks, projects and initiatives; have at least an overall 3.0 on their most recent performance appraisal; have the support of their immediate supervisor; be able to attend all sessions, including graduation; and have at least one year of service in their current position. Visit www.hrm.msstate.edu/learn-grow/leadership-development to download the application packet.
Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program underway
Mississippi State has a long association with the Fulbright Scholar Program with over 50 MSU faculty from a variety of disciplines having received Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards since 1954. MSU has also welcomed many international scholars to our campus through the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program. The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program recently opened its 2023-24 competition with over 400 awards in 130 countries featured in the Catalog of Awards, which includes teaching, researching and professional project opportunities. The MSU International Institute welcomes questions from faculty who are interested in applying. If you have questions, please email Fulbright scholar liaison Cathy Curtis at ccurtis@international.msstate.edu.
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.
