Marketplace at Perry, historically known as Perry Cafeteria, hosts MSU President Mark E. Keenum, Student Association President Ellie Herndon and SA Vice President Jodee Crane for an early afternoon lunch and conversation earlier this month. Built in 1921, Perry Cafeteria is an iconic university tradition, with its Gothic arches and wood beams that complement the cathedral-style structure. PHOTO: Grace Cockrell | Public Affairs
Nadorff, Stafford recognized by Mississippi Psychological Association for contributions to the field of mental health
Two Mississippi State psychology faculty members received top awards this fall from the Mississippi Psychological Association for their contributions to mental health improvements in the magnolia state. Nominated by their peers in the field, the MPA recognized Michael R. Nadorff, a professor and director of the clinical Ph.D. program in MSU’s Department of Psychology, and Ty Stafford, an assistant clinical professor in the department, at the 2023 MPA annual convention last month. Nadorff received the Kinlock Gill Award for contributions and service in the area of public interest and public service activities. Stafford received the Distinguished Teaching of Psychology award, presented annual to an MPA member who has demonstrated outstanding performance as a university, college or internship teacher.
Electrical and Computer Engineering's Marojevic among team awarded National Science Foundation grant to address 5G security
Vuk Marojevic was among the group of five NSF-funded teams awarded a total of $25 million to advance technologies and communications to operate securely through 5G networks. Marojevic, a Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering associate professor and a co-pi for the project entitled Zero Trust X (ZTX), said the team’s project will address 5G security at different layers and components of the network, specifically at the 5G UE, 5G RAN, and 5G Core. "This project is exciting yet very complex. Our team proposed to prototype and demonstrate about 10 different security solutions which, if successful, can have a huge value to society, military operations, and business,” he said.
‘End-effector,’ robotic system developed by MSU engineering team puts autonomous cotton harvesting within reach
A two-fingered robotic arm reaches toward a fluffy white cotton boll in a field. The device pulls in the lint from the boll and then moves on... grabbing another, and then another. This new “end-effector,” developed by Mississippi State scientists, is a potential game-changer for agriculture not just in the Cotton Belt -- but worldwide -- and could bring the more than $38 billion global industry away from the farm labor shortage to AI-based autonomous systems. “The systems technology we’re designing today will give tomorrow’s cotton farmers more ecologically and economically sustainable options for harvesting,” said Alex Thomasson, MSU agricultural and biological engineering department head who has been a part of the ground-breaking project sponsored by Cotton, Inc. The research team recently published about the project in the journal Smart Agricultural Technology.
MSU joins National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s Gulf Scholars Program
Mississippi State has been selected to join the latest cohort of the Gulf Scholars Program, an initiative led by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The university will receive funding to provide scholarship support to approximately 50 students over the course of five years, along with additional support for involvement with high-impact projects along the Gulf Coast. Jamie Dyer, interim dean for Interdisciplinary Studies at MSU and principal investigator for the grant, said the Gulf Scholars Program at the university will revolve around a new minor in Gulf Coast studies, which will be developed through collaboration among faculty across campus. The university also will support student involvement in outreach projects, internships and other opportunities to engage with Coast communities.
NSF I-Corps Hub: Southwest welcomes MSU as new member
Mississippi State was recently awarded a grant to join the NSF I-Corps Hub: Southwest -- one of only 10 Hubs in the nation dedicated to recruiting, training, and supporting researchers as they translate their work into commercial goods and services. Universities within the Hub foster entrepreneurial thinking, train scientific researchers to maximize commercial potential for their deep tech intellectual property, enhance academia-industry interaction, and increase venture capital funding in the region. “Our involvement in the Southwest Hub will empower our researchers to learn valuable lessons in entrepreneurship that will shape their path toward the successful commercialization of their research. This opportunity will support economic development, along with the development of our workforce, technologies, and research,” Associate Vice President for Research Reuben Burch said.
Reminder: University policy addresses employee political activity
With political campaigning underway this fall for local and statewide offices, Mississippi State's Office of General Counsel offers the following reminder of the university’s policy on political activities as the Nov. 7 general election nears. 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.
Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures hosting Day of the Dead exhibition
The Mississippi State Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures and its Spanish section is celebrating the Day of the Dead with a photography exhibition running Oct. 26 to Nov. 7 in the halls of Mitchell Memorial Library. This is a rich and diverse tradition celebrated by different Latin American countries. This year, CMLL is focusing on the Mexican tradition particularly in the cities of Oaxaca and San Miguel de Allende. Beginning in Hispanic Heritage month, the exhibition is co-sponsored by Sigma Delta Pi Hispanic Honor Society, the Spanish Club, Mitchell Memorial Library and the Museums’ Committee. The Day of the Dead is a joyful celebration honoring the loved ones who have died. It combines beliefs, practices and symbols from the indigenous Aztec with the Catholic European traditions on the dead. The celebration lasts from Oct. 28 to Nov. 3.
Longest Student Health Center providing flu shot clinics this fall
Mississippi State’s Longest Student Health Center will provide flu shot clinics across campus and in-house this year. Walk-ins are welcome, but recipients may also make appointments. To schedule a visit, call 662-325-2431 and select Option 1. Shots are $30 -- cash, card and checks are accepted -- and can be filed to insurance at the time of service. LSHC flu clinics are scheduled every Thursday in October and November, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other campus flu clinics will be held 1-4 p.m. on Wednesdays at various locations.
2023 Walk to End Alzheimer's set for Wednesday
Mississippi State University’s Center for Student Activities will host the local Walk to End Alzheimer’s event 2 p.m. Wednesday [Nov. 1] at the MSU Drill Field. The Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer's is the world's largest fundraiser for Alzheimer's care, support and research. There is no fee to register, but participants are encouraged to help raise funds to support and advance research toward methods of prevention, treatment and, ultimately, a cure for Alzheimer’s. The event is open to the public.
Nomination period open for 2024 MSU Online Teaching Award
The nomination window for the 2024 Mississippi State Online Teaching Award is open now until 5 p.m. Jan. 7. In its sixth year, the award acknowledges and rewards an MSU online instructor who employs best practices to engage, inspire and support students in an online environment. Potential nominees include faculty members, instructors or lecturers of a Campus 5 course taught in the current academic year. The winner will receive a $500 award along with registration to attend an online education-related conference similar to OLC, UPCEA or USDLA. The winner will be notified in April.
ITS releases new website builder for faculty
Mississippi State Information Technology Services is announcing the release of a new website builder that will allow faculty members to create personal, professional websites without having to learn how to code. sample of what can be created can be seen at https://www.faculty.msstate.edu/awl22. For more information on what the content editing process looks like, visit https://www.drupal.msstate.edu/guides/faculty-website. All sites will be hosted on an ITS-supported server using Drupal as the content management system. Everything from the server and the operating system to Drupal and the website theme will be maintained by ITS. Faculty can use their time on their content.
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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