Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Golden light cascades over McCarthy Quad last week before dusk, a time also known as the magic hour. The quadrangle, one of MSU's newest additions to campus, connects students, faculty, staff and visitors to the Jim and Thomas Duff Center, the J. Charles Lee Agricultural and Biological Engineering Building and Allen Hall. McCarthy Quad carries the name of former MSU men’s basketball coach James H. “Babe” McCarthy, and the green space covers the area where McCarthy Gymnasium once stood. PHOTO: Grace Cockrell | Public Affairs

MSU AI Community: Join the conversation!
Mississippi State University is taking steps to advance artificial intelligence adoption across campus. Whether you’re a researcher, educator, or staff member, these resources are designed to help you learn, collaborate, and stay informed about AI initiatives at MSU. The AI Innovation Hub SharePoint Site is your one-stop hub for AI-related learning opportunities, workshops, user guidance, industry news, tips, and updates. It's available at https://mstate.sharepoint.com/sites/AIInnovationHub. You can also connect through the MSU AI Community Teams Site. If you have any questions about AI at MSU, please contact Senior Advisor for AI and Data Governance Julie Jordan at julie.jordan@msstate.edu.

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 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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Mississippi State breaks ground for Nancy Fair Link Laminitis Research Center to combat disease in pleasure and work horses
Construction of Mississippi State’s premier research facility to pioneer advancements in the prevention and treatment of equine laminitis is underway after a groundbreaking for the Nancy Fair Link Laminitis Research Center last week. Located at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the state-of-the-art project is one component of a strategic collaboration between Nancy Link and the MSU CVM, which also brings additional top faculty to the university to combat the painful and debilitating hoof disease that can lead to euthanasia for affected horses. Link’s exceptionally generous gift funds both the construction and operation of the center that will elevate MSU CVM as a national and international leader in this critical area of research. The center will be led by Dr. François-René Bertin, inaugural director.

MSU launches Energy Resilience, Innovation Hub to drive collaboration, advancements in energy sector
Building on a growing energy-related research portfolio, Mississippi State University is launching the Energy Resilience and Innovation Hub to foster collaboration and innovation that will support the Magnolia State’s future energy needs. Led by MSU Associate Vice President for Research and Economic Development Narcisa Pricope, the unit will serve as a thinktank and collaborative hub working to catalyze economic growth, strengthen community and institutional energy resilience, foster policy alignment, and promote access to energy resources. The hub will provide a dedicated space for sharing information, building partnerships and aligning research and development efforts across multiple sectors.

MSU to observe International Education Week with celebration events
Mississippi State is spotlighting its global diversity with International Education Week Nov. 17-21, hosting various events celebrating international cultures, research and student experiences. Sponsored by MSU’s International Institute, the weeklong observation invites students, faculty and staff to explore the world through food, research, music, art and community programs. The International Institute, working with the Holmes Center for Student Success, College of Education, College of Professional and Continuing Studies, Center for Teaching and Learning, Dining Services, Sanderson Center and Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District’s Partnership Middle School, will coordinate several campus events.