Feature Photo
Story Photo
Coach Polk continues to invest in baseball program
A generous planned gift commitment from legendary coach Ron Polk will create an outstanding level of continuous support for Mississippi State’s baseball program and further cement his legacy at the university. The winningest coach in all sports in SEC history, two-time National Coach of the Year and five-time SEC Coach of the Year spent 29 seasons leading the MSU baseball program (1976-1997, 2002-2008). Last spring, Polk returned to MSU to volunteer as special assistant to the athletic director. “Mississippi State is a special place, and this is home for me,” he said. “I wanted to make this gift because it’s the right thing to do. I’ve always preached that concept to my players. My hope is that this gift will help stir interest for others to do the same because when we give everybody benefits.”
Story Photo
Bagley welcomes new fundraiser
Jordan Smith of Saltillo has joined the Mississippi State University Foundation’s fundraising staff as the new assistant director of development for the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering. He began his duties April 1. Smith graduated from MSU’s College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2019. Smith joins Bennett Evans, Bagley College’s senior development director, and fellow assistant director Paul Zimmerman to work with alumni and development efforts. “Mississippi State is truly a place that is second to none, and I am honored to be back here joining the development team,” Smith said.
Story Photo
Cutler White helps establish state’s first formalized college access network in Greenville
College access and readiness for Mississippi students is becoming more attainable with this month’s launch of the Greenville College Access Network, or GCAN. “For three years I’ve worked with dedicated community members who want to see Greenville residents succeed. Without the community, this project would not exist,” said Carol Cutler White, an assistant professor in Mississippi State’s Department of Educational Leadership. “I join with my AmeriCorps Program Officer Melissa Gouge in congratulating Mayor Errick Simmons and the City of Greenville for being the first community in the state of Mississippi to organize a college access network.”
Story Photo
Registration deadline for virtual Staff Appreciation Day
Registration is open for Mississippi State’s virtual Staff Appreciation Day event on Friday [May 7]. This year’s Staff Appreciation Day will be held from 10 a.m.-noon and will include recognition of the 2021 Zacharias Distinguished Staff Award winners, virtual Bingo and door prize winners. Online registration can be completed at https://w.msstate.edu/staffcouncil/staff-appreciation-day. Participants must register to participate in Bingo and be entered to win a door prize. The deadline to register is Monday [May 3] at 5 p.m. Those without registration access are encouraged to contact their supervisor for assistance.
Story Photo
Reminder: University policy addresses employee political activity
With political campaigning underway for local elections, Mississippi State's Office of General Counsel offers the following reminder of the university’s policy on political activities. 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.
Story Photo
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.
Keenum commends graduates’ abilities to adapt, overcome challenges as nearly 2,900 celebrate commencement
As Mississippi State marks the end of one of the most challenging and unusual academic years in history, nearly 2,900 graduates are celebrating their milestone accomplishments while MSU President Mark E. Keenum is commending their abilities to adapt and overcome challenges. “We’ve made it through this most challenging of years together,” Keenum said at commencement ceremonies in Humphrey Coliseum last week. “You have worked long and hard to get here, and all of us at this great university are very proud of you.” Keenum said a college degree is more important than ever and will help graduates succeed in a world undergoing unprecedented change.
University celebrates research success with annual awards ceremony
Mississippi State recognized outstanding research accomplishments from across the university during its annual research awards ceremony last month. The ceremony marked the culmination of an academic year that saw continued growth in research funding and impact despite the many challenges presented by the pandemic. Chemistry Professor Todd Mlsna was presented with the program’s top honor, the 2021 Ralph E. Powe Research Excellence Award. The Powe Award is a memorial to the MSU alumnus and longtime research vice president who died in 1996. It is selected at the university level from nominations received from the MSU community.
Newest Grisham Master Teachers, Giles Distinguished Professors honored
Mississippi State is recognizing five distinguished faculty members with the university’s most prestigious teaching awards. During a campus program last week, Richard Harkess, Lyndsey Miller and Lesley Strawderman were honored as John Grisham Master Teacher Award recipients for 2021, and Mark Lawrence and Raja Reddy were named MSU’s newest William L. Giles Distinguished Professors. “This is one of the most exciting times of the year, when we can reflect on so many accomplishments and recognize an exceptional group of faculty members who have dedicated themselves to the highest levels of teaching, research and service,” said MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw.
Faculty and staff recognized for excellence in teaching and advising
As Mississippi State soon marks the end of one of the most challenging and unusual academic years in history, the university is recognizing faculty and staff with annual awards for outstanding service and professionalism at the 143-year-old institution. An April ceremony honored those who have helped students through exceptional teaching, mentoring and advising. “Exceptional teaching by world-class faculty is at the core of Mississippi State’s mission. Our outstanding award winners this year exemplify excellence across a variety of disciplines, and they excel at everything from making our newest students feel welcome to helping our most advanced graduate students attain the highest levels of success,” said MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw.
Mississippi State University  •  Mississippi State, MS 39762  •  Main Telephone: (662) 325-2323  •   Contact: The Editor  |  The Webmaster  •   Updated: May 3, 2021Facebook Twitter