The area located between the Colvard Student Union and George Hall is now a construction zone as crews work to create a more inviting and pedestrian-friendly space near the center of campus. The project includes construction of a new plaza that will provide additional furnishings, canopy trees and food truck parking. Portions of the sidewalks surrounding this area will be temporarily closed until mid-July. PHOTO: Megan Bean | Public Affairs
Gordon joins MSU Foundation fundraising team
Lacey Gordon is the new assistant director of development for Mississippi State University Extension and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She is a third-generation Bulldog who earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in communication. In addition to MSU Extension and CALS, Gordon’s role also will encompass fundraising and development duties for the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. She joins veteran fundraiser and fellow alumnus Will Staggers in securing gifts for the three areas. “Lacey’s experience will be an asset to her involvement with alumni and philanthropy on behalf of the university. I believe her diverse skill set will transfer well into development, and we are proud to welcome her to our team,” said Jack McCarty, executive director of development for the MSU Foundation.
Rudzin earns postdoctoral award for atmospheric-oceanic hurricane research
New Mississippi State University faculty member Johna Rudzin earned a postdoctoral research publication award from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine for her research examining how the Amazon-Orinoco River plume changes the ocean response and atmospheric boundary layer thermodynamics during hurricane passage. An assistant professor in the Department of Geosciences with a joint appointment to the Northern Gulf Institute, Rudzin received a certificate of achievement and a cash prize for her paper, “The Air‐Sea Response During Hurricane Irma’s (2017) Rapid Intensification Over the Amazon‐Orinoco River Plume as Measured by Atmospheric and Oceanic Observations.”
‘It’s a blessing’: MSU, Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity dedicate 13th annual Maroon Edition home
There’s no place like a new home for the holidays, and a Starkville family was able to experience that feeling thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers from Mississippi State University and Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity. On Dec. 15, MSU and Habitat celebrated completion of the 13th annual Maroon Edition home -- Habitat’s 71st home in Oktibbeha County -- on Azalea Lane with an afternoon ceremony. The new home was built for Starkville resident Keva Robertson and her two children, Kaeli and Laquante Gaston Jr. It also honors MSU alumnus Paul B. Murphy Jr., a Vicksburg native and executive vice chairman of Cadence Bank, who earned a bachelor’s degree in banking and finance from MSU and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. MSU President Mark E. Keenum congratulated Robertson and presented her with a family Bible.
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Emily Reid Carter
Emily Reid Carter grew up in 4-H and knew the Extension Service would be a perfect fit as a career. “I love the variety of programs and services I am able to offer to the community,” she said. “After being in 4-H, I knew I would enjoy working with youth and other program areas of MSU Extension.” Carter offers educational programming in both family and consumer science and 4-H. As an FCS agent, she focuses on delivering nutrition and healthy lifestyle information to adults and students. She’s recently been involved with the Adult Mental Health First Aid training, which helps individuals in communities understand how to recognize and better respond to signs that someone may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Tristan Peavey
As a teenager, Tristan Peavey learned he loved working with cattle. But a career in agriculture didn’t really cross his mind back then. “I didn’t grow up in agriculture. I had a friend whose family had cattle, and I’d help work them,” he said. “I loved it.” When he started his college career at MSU, Peavey changed his major a couple of times until he finally found a home in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences. It wasn’t until he enrolled in the undergraduate Extension Apprenticeship Program his senior year that he knew he had found a career he would love. The program pairs college students with interests in Extension’s educational program areas with Extension specialists, introducing them to the organization’s professional opportunities.
MSU again receives ‘green light’ rating for free speech policies
Mississippi State University is once again being recognized for upholding policies that maintain free speech and First Amendment protections. For the tenth consecutive year, MSU has earned a “green light” rating from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), an organization that promotes the individual rights of students and faculty members at U.S. colleges and universities. MSU is among 58 institutions receiving the green light rating, which is awarded to universities with strong free speech protections in campus policies and procedures. “Allowing the free exchange of ideas is vital to any institution of higher learning, and I’m proud that members of the MSU community can freely express themselves with all of the protections provided by the First Amendment,” said Dean of Students and Interim Associate Vice President for Student Success Thomas Bourgeois. “We have an ideologically diverse community, which allows students to engage in conversations that broaden their perspectives.”
MSU accepting honorary degree nominations from students, faculty, staff, alumni until Jan. 14
Mississippi State faculty, staff, students and alumni may submit nominations until Friday [Jan. 14] for honorary doctoral degrees that will be awarded at the university's spring 2022 commencement ceremonies. Nominations, including supporting materials, should be sent to the Honorary Degree Committee in care of the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President. Names of nominees will be kept confidential until they are approved. Under IHL guidelines, persons eligible for the Doctor of Laws, Doctor of Science, Doctor of Humane Letters, Doctor of Creative and Performing Arts, or Doctor of Public Service must have demonstrated nationally recognized sustained achievement in scholarship, public service, creative and performing arts, or professional activity. Faculty, staff and administrators of the university and elected or appointed public officials are ineligible for an honorary degree until one year after leaving their position. Candidates for public office also are ineligible.
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.
