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Safety Record Outstanding for Campus Landscape
Mississippi State University's Office of Regulatory Compliance and Safety recognized the Campus Landscape team for its commitment to safety and training with a barbecue luncheon. Despite having some of the riskier jobs on campus, the crew's accident record is among the lowest, according to MSU safety officer Alicia Musselwhite PHOTO: Russ Houston | University Relations
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Women in Higher Education state conference here
Women in higher education throughout Mississippi will convene Feb. 23-24 at Mississippi State University for an annual conference to promote and support women's leadership in the field.
The Women in Higher Education Mississippi Network's mission is to identify, develop, advance and support women in higher education in Mississippi. Amy Tuck, MSU executive director of campus operations and institutional representative for WHEMN, is also this year's WHEMN statewide coordinator.
"We are looking forward to a great conference featuring excellent guest speakers and networking opportunities. We are planning for about 200 registered participants to join us at Mississippi State," Tuck said.
"We are proud to host women in higher education from throughout the state at our campus this year," said MSU President Mark Keenum. "This opportunity allows us to build stronger relationships with our colleagues from other institutions, as well as recognize the invaluable contributions women are making to our university."
Tuck said the agenda includes several general sessions with subjects ranging from "Choices Create Champions" to "Current Issues in Higher Education Law." (For complete information, visit www.whemn.msstate.edu.)
The Thursday and Friday conference will feature speakers including:
Hank Bounds, Mississippi Commissioner of Higher Education
Eric Clark, Mississippi Community College Board
David Cole, Itawamba Community College
Robin Robinson, IHL Board of Trustees
Amy Whitten, IHL Board of Trustees
Diana Cordova, American Council on Education
Maggie Wade Dixon, WLBT News Co-Anchor
Mary Ann Connell, Mayo Mallette, PLLC
Dale Smith Thomas, Winners by Choice, Inc.
Tuck said a variety of topics covered during the conference are designed to meet the WHEMN goals of facilitating networking for women leaders, developing collaborative partnerships, and assisting with career development of professional women in higher education.
Allison Matthews | University Relations
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NOTICE OF CHANGES TO CAMPUS WIDE RECYCLING
The Mississippi State University single-stream recycling program has now been in place for over a year. This program fundamentally changed the way that we collect recycling and waste on the campus and we are still evaluating and reviewing our procedures in order to see how effective this program is and how we can make it more efficient at reducing our waste stream into our local landfill. In addition to monitoring the current system, a few changes have happened related to the contractor and their ability to collect material.
The single stream program was developed around the capabilities of the contractor who was awarded the contract. Blubox was the selected contractor because of their ability to collect and sort all cardboards, papers, plastics, metals, and glass. During the course of the last year, Blubox was purchased by Mississippi Industrial Waste Management (MIWD) and just a few months ago, MIWD was purchased by Waste Pro. Waste Pro is now the recycling and waste contractor for the campus and the only change resulting from this change is that Waste Pro does not collect glass; therefore we cannot collect that as part of our recycling stream.
The materials that we can now collect as part of our single-stream recycling program are as follows:
All Paper
All Plastic
Cardboard
Metals and Aluminum
Thanks for your effort and support with this program and if you have specific questions, please email Jeremiah Dumas at jpd1@msstate.edu.
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Our People: Effie Hopkins
Passengers on the blue route of Mississippi State University's shuttle system have more than a driver at the wheel — they have an angel in disguise.
For years, that's how students have described "Miss Annie," a woman who remembers the names of nearly all of her regular passengers and cares for them like her own family.
A self-described "granny for those away from home," Effie Hopkins' selfless actions and caring nature have become legendary for the more than seven years she has driven a shuttle at the university.
Students send her flowers and cards thanking her for being so kind to them, often years after they have graduated. Miss Annie keeps a thick folder of them, reminding her of how much her "family" loves her.
"I'm having a great day — what about you?" Hopkins says as she greets students getting on her shuttle.
Students gush about how much better she has made them feel on bad days, how she helps them put problems in perspective and find a better attitude.
Ravi "Raj" Sadasivuni, a graduate student in geosciences, said during the years he has known Hopkins, she has inspired him when he's stressed.
"She helps everyone," said Sadasivuni, who works at the High Performance Computing Collaboratory. "She knows how to inspire everyone."
Ask nearly anyone riding her shuttle route and they respond with glowing praise for her. Some students intentionally park so they can visit with her during the shuttle experience.
"I could drive straight to class," said Tiffany Bridges, a senior marketing major from Yazoo City. "But I chose to ride with her because she makes my day better."
Hopkins remembers the names of regular riders and asks about things they discussed during previous rides. She even helped a group of German graduate students visiting campus find a laundry and particular shops to buy gifts.
"You want to be a welcoming committee to them because you have to remember they've left their family behind in this new environment," she said.
But Hopkins doesn't stop helping students when her shift ends each day. She regularly uses her personal vehicle, an old Chevy Blazer, to take them to the grocery store and other places when they can't find other means of transportation.
"She could be at home, but she gives rides to people who need to go and buy basic necessities," Sadasivuni said.
When Hopkins' church learned about her giving rides to students in need, the congregation began helping pay for gasoline. She even carries business cards with her contact information that say "Being a helper of one another."
"I said I wanted to be out here to make a difference in the students' lives," she said. "So far, I think I've held up my end of the bargain."
"I've always found people interesting," she said. "I'm a people watcher."
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Our People: Bart Prather
When MSU athletes take to the field on game day, whether it is baseball, football, soccer, or softball, it would be nearly impossible without the diligent work of Bart Prather and his staff. He's not a coach, trainer or manager, but his contributions, arguably, are of near-equal importance.
As superintendent of sports turf, Prather is responsible for ensuring that playing surfaces are safe for student-athletes to practice and play on and that they meet NCAA guidelines for all striping, painting and dimensions. He and his staff are diligent in making sure the playing surfaces are free of low spots, high spots, holes, and trip hazards that could easily turn a first-round draft pick into a former student-athlete.
Prather returned to State 10 years ago and says a love of athletics makes what he does seem less like a job and more like an endless sports season.
"I couldn't do this if I didn't love athletics," Prather said. "Being able to do it for the university I grew up coming to as a kid makes it that much more rewarding."
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Our People: J.D. Hardy
When J.D. Hardy came to Mississippi State in 2008 as energy/mechanical engineer in Facilities Management, he says he walked into to a great situation from an energy conservation standpoint.
Hardy serves as the energy monitor for MSU and, in addition to developing reports on consumption for the energy committee, he is part of a team that develops projects to help improve campus systems and make them more efficient.
He says that a large part of conservation is efficient use of resources and developing sustainable practices and, because the university has been so proactive, he and the energy team have been able to continue a downward trend in energy use for several years.
"We are constantly looking to the future for new ways to be more efficient," Hardy says. "Our goal is to continue to conserve energy without sacrificing the academic and research goals of Mississippi State by being more efficient and sustainable in ou r practices. I am very proud of our performance and our reputation as an energy-conscious university."
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Our People: Everett Kennard
Having the best job in the world is a daily reality for Everett Kennard. Often far from home, but never far from friends, he drives the immaculate MSU buses on trips all over the country. Just call him—,he may answer from anywhere, but if he doesn't, his voice greeting will tell you he "could be in Washington state under an apple tree or I could be in Florida on the beach, all for Mississippi State, of course." The tone of his voice will let you know for sure—he's loving every minute of it.
Kennard, manager of transportation services, has been blazing the highways for 28 years, carrying Bulldog athletes, administrators, faculty, staff, and students of all kinds.
"I've got the greatest job in America. It's a dream job that a lot of people would want. I work with the greatest people, and I work for the greatest people. And I've got the easiest product in America that sells itself, and that's Mississippi State," Kennard said.
"I don't feel old until I haul children of those who I hauled in the earlier days," he said. He explained that freshman baseball player C.T. Bradford is the son of Mike Bradford, who was on the baseball team in 1983. Kennard's memory is like a rolodex of MSU alumni.
Of course, Kennard has been to many memorable events on behalf of the university, including trips to the College World Series, Final Four, SEC Championship, and many bowl games. He said about 59 percent of transportation is related to athletics, but many travels are academic field trips.
Spending about 200 days a year on the road, Kennard is a restaurant and hotel expert. He's never tired of the highway, but still delights in it. "I thank God that he put me in this position, and I really feel sorry for anyone who doesn't enjoy their work like I do," Kennard said.
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Our People: Jimmy Rice
For campus landscape supervisor Jimmy Rice, the reward of working with Mississippi State's lush grass and other natural scenery is the satisfaction of seeing a job well done.
"It's just really good when you do your job, and it looks good. People come by and compliment it, and it makes you feel good," Rice said.
The veteran master crew member has more than 28 years of experience carefully managing and maintaining— even manicuring, one might say— the acres of pure green grass that canvas the university from one end to the other like a natural soft carpet.
Rice said he's seen a lot of changes to MSU's landscape during his career. The current landscape calls for a host of bedding plants, giving variety for every season and for every perspective of campus. Irrigation, equipment, and a host of other tools, such as fertilizers, are all part of a methodical effort to get the just-right results that mark the MSU environment. Rice manages a cycle of work to ensure that the north half of campus is mowed and otherwise properly maintained year-round. But he will be the first to point out a larger group effort among a team of dedicated employees.
"You've got to have guys that really take pride in their work to make a campus look as good as this one. We have guys that really take pride in what they do," Rice said.
Rice says he puts some of his professional knowledge to use in his own yard. A family man, Rice has been married to Starkville native Shavell Rice for 29 years, and they are parents of five children. He also happens to be an older brother to retired NFL star Jerry Rice. He says his career has allowed him the right balance of time between work, family, and his other career— which he describes as more of a calling. He pastors Fourth Street M.B. Church in Columbus.
Rice said the nature of landscape work allows him to multi-task in some ways. "I can be doing my job and meditating at the same time, reflecting on what I've already read," Rice said. "That's when I do my best work really."
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Our People: Stella Ellis
Stella Ellis grew up caring for people. As one of seven children in her family, Stella always helped with the other kids, and did whatever it took to keep the household in order. Her sense of caring for others definitely has affected her work for the last 21 years in Mississippi State's custodial department.
While the master custodian works to ensure the functionality and upkeep of 18 different areas around campus, her main objective is to make sure that the people who work in those spaces are happy. The MSU Welcome Center, first floor of Thompson Hall, and the fourth and fifth floors of the library are among her areas of responsibility, which include everything from maintaining office spaces and hallways to classrooms and entranceways.
A nighttime supervisor for the past six years, she said of her attitude about work, "It's just the way I was brought up—to take pride in what I do, especially when it involves looking after people."
Along with her loyalty to her job, Stella is devoted to Mississippi State and the Bulldogs. From the hubcaps on her car to her clothing and household trinkets, it's not hard to identify her as "True Maroon." She even lends her generous heart to caring for students who find themselves in need.
"I've done what I can to help students. I've taken them into my house, fed them, and provided some spending money when I can," she explained.
When asked why she's remained at MSU for more than two decades, she said, "When I put my mind to something, I don't give up."
Now that's the Bulldog spirit.
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ROAD CLOSURE - NORTH FARM
North Farm Road Closure
Description: Beginning Monday May 9, 2011 the portion of the North Farm road between Joe Baddley Drive and the entrance to the western parking lot of the A.B. McKay Food Research & Enology Lab building will close. This portion of the road will remain closed for the foreseeable future due to the construction of a new business incubator building and a new entrance road. See the image below for a map of the closure location and plan commuting routes accordingly.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to complete this project. If you have any questions regarding this closure, please contact Facilities Management at 662-325-5830.
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A Helping Hand
MSU units pulled together Thursday to offer assistance to tornado-stricken Tuscaloosa. Facilities Management, Transportation, and Forest and Wildlife Research Center employees left with supplies that included generators and tractors to assist with recovery efforts in the city adjoining the University of Alabama. Meanwhile, Extension employees around the state also are offering recovery assistance to state and local agencies in clearing roads, removing debris and other cleanup efforts.
(Apr 28, 2011 - Photo by David Garraway)