Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Alice Bennett, a registered nurse at Mississippi State University’s John C. Longest Student Health Center, administers a first COVID-19 vaccine dose to an MSU employee last Thursday [March 18] at the university's drive-through vaccination site. MSU is currently administering a limited supply of vaccine to employees, with plans to begin providing the vaccine to students when the university receives additional doses. MSU employees can make an appointment to receive the vaccine at www.covidvaccine.msstate.edu. PHOTO: Beth Wynn | Public Affairs

Starkville-MSU Symphony Association presenting free, outdoor ‘Classical Jazz’ concert
The Starkville-MSU Symphony Association presents the Community Chorus in concert for “Classical Jazz,” an afternoon of classical music, jazz favorites and Shakespeare on Sunday [March 28] at 2 p.m. on the lawn of Starkville’s Greensboro Center. The event is free and open to all, and those attending may bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets to celebrate the arrival of spring. From MSU’s Department of Music, the musical program includes Peter Infanger, Roza Tulyaganova, Garrett Torbert, Christopher Withrow and Jeanette Fontaine. The association has provided Starkville and the surrounding area with a community classical music experience throughout its 51-year history. Talents of musicians from MSU, Starkville and the surrounding communities are showcased each year, along with guest musicians from across the state.

MSU increases number of university teaching awards
The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President at Mississippi State recently an increase in the number of university-wide teaching awards. Sufficient funds are now available to make up to three John Grisham Master Teacher Awards, which was the original intent of the program. The Mississippi State University Alumni Association has agreed to fund up to two awards for Outstanding Graduate Teaching. The Donald W. Zacharias Endowment will fund three to four awards for Early Career Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching. “Mississippi State University is blessed with an abundance of genuinely outstanding teachers among our faculty,” said MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw.

#SBW21: Super Bulldog Weekend set for April 16-18
A Mississippi State spring homecoming tradition returns April 16-18 with the annual Super Bulldog Weekend on the MSU campus. Coach Chris Lemonis' No. 2 nationally ranked Diamond Dawgs will take on in-state rival Ole Miss at Dudy Noble Field for a three-game SEC series with game times at 6 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Head football coach Mike Leach's 2021 Bulldogs will host the Maroon and White Game on Saturday, April 17, in Davis Wade Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. and admission is free. Television information will be announced in the near future.

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.

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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Nominations sought for Zacharias Distinguished Staff Awards
Staff Council needs your help nominating outstanding Mississippi State University employees for the Zacharias Distinguished Staff Award. Twelve winners will be presented with a plaque of recognition and a check for $1,000. Awards will be presented in a private ceremony with President Mark E. Keenum on a date to be determined, and publicly announced during the Virtual Staff Appreciation Day event scheduled for May 7 from 10 a.m. to noon. To be eligible for the award the nominee must be classified as a professional or support staff employee, be in good standing, work at least half-time, have a minimum of three years of service, have never been a recipient of the award, and meet the nomination criteria. The nomination deadline is April 2.

Holmes helping local teachers counter stress with new wellness program
A Mississippi State faculty member is helping local school district faculty and staff reduce stress, thanks to a $900,000 grant from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation. Megan Holmes, an associate professor in MSU’s Department of Kinesiology, is working with the Starkville Oktibbeha School District as part of the Wellness Initiative for Starkville Partnerships, or WISP, project at the Partnership Middle School. “The overall purpose of the program is wellness, but also with special emphasis on stress reduction for the faculty and staff,” Holmes said. In addition to Holmes’ baseline health, fitness and stress assessments, she and her students also will do concluding assessments. The health initiative continues until May.

15th annual Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival goes virtual
Mississippi State’s long-running Charles H. Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival will be presented in a virtual format this week. Free to all, the 15th annual event will be divided into two shows, one on each day Friday [March 26] and Saturday [March 27]. Both shows will be streamed live at 7 p.m. CDT on Facebook, YouTube and Vimeo, as well on MSTV for CSpire Fiber and MaxxSouth Broadband customers. Streaming links will be added to festival.library.msstate.edu/schedule prior to each show. “Our goal for this year is to provide an enjoyable experience for viewers and supporters of the Templeton festival by highlighting the best performances from the last 10 years and giving a sneak peek at the entertainers we originally invited to the 2021 festival,” MSU Libraries Associate Dean Stephen Cunetto said.

ORED hosting retail innovation seminar Wednesday
Retail is the fourth largest industry in Mississippi in terms of revenue and third for employment. The Office of Research and Economic Development at MSU is hosting a Market Research and Retail Academy in-person seminar on Wednesday [March 24] from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Hunter Henry Center on the Starkville campus. This seminar will highlight teaching, research and service work in retail that is impacting Mississippi. Faculty and directors will discuss opportunities for incorporating retail into the classroom, expanding workforce development and economic impact, and connecting one's research directly to the consumer.

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