Maroon daylilies take in bright morning sunshine near Colvard Student Union, adding a natural pop of school color to campus this summer. According to the MSU Extension Service, originally, the only daylily colors were yellow, orange, and red. Today, we have colors ranging from near-whites, pastels, yellows, oranges, pinks, vivid reds, crimson, purple, nearly true-blue, and fabulous blends. PHOTO: Cameron Mazingo | Public Affairs
MSU Institute for the Humanities fellowship proposals now open
Mississippi State University’s Institute for the Humanities -- housed in the College of Arts and Sciences -- is excited to announce applications are open for the 2025-2026 Institute for the Humanities Fellowship, designed to empower faculty to make meaningful strides on their humanities-related research and creative projects. Funded by the Institute and the College of Arts and Sciences, the prestigious fellowship offers faculty a one-course release during the Spring 2026 semester, along with $1,000 in discretionary funds to support their scholarly work. Whether it’s advancing a book manuscript, diving into archival research, conducting fieldwork or developing innovative courses and public humanities initiatives, this fellowship provides dedicated time and resources to help faculty focus and flourish.
MSU Extension, MML expand partnership
The Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Mississippi Municipal League are known for their commitment to serving the state’s communities. Now, the two are combining their strengths to equip municipal leaders with the practical tools and knowledge they need to do the same. The Mississippi Municipal League, or MML, and the MSU Extension Center for Government and Community Development have partnered to create the Mississippi Municipal Solutions Network -- a comprehensive, joint technical assistance program designed to address the questions and challenges faced by Mississippi’s municipalities.
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Sean Martin
Sean Martin’s journey to veterinary medicine began with a childhood dream that has guided his entire career path. After earning his degree in Animal and Dairy Sciences from Mississippi State University, Martin spent three years as an assistant herdsman at the MSU Bearden Dairy Research Center. “At the dairy, I was able to tend and care for animals, but I wanted to do more,” Martin said. That desire to expand his impact led him to his current role as a laboratory technologist with the Mississippi Veterinary Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, an extension of the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine. In his position, Martin combines his agricultural background with scientific expertise to perform critical veterinary research and diagnostic testing.
DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Darby Tassell
When you step into the Mississippi Entomological Museum at Mississippi State University, hundreds of pinned insects will greet you, each as unique as the next. While most people might shy away from bugs, Darby Tassell finds each one fascinating. “My fulfillment in seeing the insects on display has driven me to attend graduate school in entomology, with the hope that I can become an insect taxonomist,” Tassell shared. As a laboratory technician at the museum’s screening center, Tassell spends her days identifying, sorting, and observing countless insect species. Beyond the lab, Tassell collects insect trap samples, labels museum specimens, assists with educational programs, and enters data crucial for ongoing studies.
MSU Lyceum Series season ticket renewals available, ticket sales begin July 1
Mississippi State’s 78th annual Lyceum Series promises to delight throughout its upcoming season, bringing the Magnolia State’s own Grammy-winning blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Christone “Kingfish” Ingram to the stage this December. Season ticket renewals opened last Monday [June 9], ushering in a dynamic 2025-26 lineup featuring an eclectic mix of world-class music, theater and dance performances. New season and mini-series ticket sales for the season’s six-part series go on sale July 1, while individual tickets are available starting Aug. 20. The season opens Sept. 26 with Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book.” This Theatre MSU play adaptation takes place at 7 p.m. in McComas Theatre.
MSU Riley Center announces 2025-26 Fall and Winter Performing Arts Series
An adventurous array of musical artists is set to excite audiences during Mississippi State’s Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts 2025-26 Fall and Winter Performing Arts Series. The six-concert season begins in August and runs through January 2026. It welcomes a stellar lineup of artists whose influence spans genres and generations. “Each artist brings a unique energy to the stage, promising unforgettable experiences for our audiences,” said Morgan Dudley, Riley Center director. “This season celebrates not only the power of performance but also the continued growth of the MSU Riley Center as a premier destination for the performing arts in Mississippi and beyond.” Dudley said the MSU Riley Center thanks The Riley Foundation, The Phil Hardin Foundation, MSU and Friends of the Lady members, whose continued support helps make these shows possible.
Airport shuttle departure schedule adjusted to meet airline baggage check changes
A 45-minute cutoff for checking baggage with Delta and American airlines has changed the express shuttle times offered by Mississippi State Transportation to Golden Triangle Regional Airport. The GTRA express shuttle now departs The Mill at MSU two hours before flight time and arrives at the airport one and a half hours before flight time. This is 30 minutes earlier than the previous schedule. Shuttle pickups from the Starkville campus and hotels along Highway 12 also can be scheduled with MSU if reservations are made at least 24 hours prior to the requested departure time from these locations. This service is available by emailing GTRShuttle@transportation.msstate.edu or calling 662-325-5204.
Free learning opportunities via LinkedIn Learning available to faculty, staff and students
Sharpen skills. Explore new interests. Increase professional value. These and other results are now available via no-cost learning opportunities to Mississippi State faculty, staff and students through MSU’s agreement with LinkedIn Learning. A popular, online education platform, LinkedIn Learning’s 20,000-plus courses are available to campus via a quick login using their MSU NetID email addresses. With self-paced learning, courses are presented in various formats, including bite-sized video, audio only and in-depth content. The platform is directly integrated with Canvas, the university’s learning management system. MSU faculty can use it to supplement course material or even develop and load their own content onto the platform.
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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