| Thursday, August 14, 2014 |
| MSU, MGCCC strike partnership to bring engineering courses to Coast | |
 | Mississippi State University and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College haze signed a partnership agreement to bring engineering courses to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. MSU President Mark E. Keenum and MGCCC President Mary S. Graham said they believe engineering programs offered at MGCCC's Jackson County Campus in Gautier will enhance the economic and industrial development of the region. "The quality of the degree programs offered at MGCCC will be identical to those we offer in Starkville," Keenum said. |
| MGCCC, Mississippi State partner in 'historic moment' to offer engineering degrees at Gautier campus | |
 | Mississippi State University and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College on Wednesday entered into a partnership agreement to bring engineering courses to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. MSU President Mark E. Keenum and MGCCC President Mary S. Graham said they believe engineering programs offered at MGCCC's Jackson County Campus in Gautier will enhance the economic and industrial development of the region. "This is a historic moment for our college, counties and Gulf Coast," Graham said, as she noted an impressive turnout of about 75 leaders, elected city, county and state officials, industrial captains and other dignitaries present in the rotunda of the Gautier campus' administrative building. |
| MGCCC, Mississippi State joining forces to offer engineering degrees | |
 | With the ring of a cowbell, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College President Mary Graham cemented a partnership with Mississippi State University to offer engineering degrees at Gulf Coast's Jackson County campus. She said 42 percent of students who transfer from Gulf Coast major in engineering, so it is a natural partnership. "This collaboration between our university and MGCCC is a win-win for both institutions and for the state of Mississippi as we prepare well qualified professionals to work in a field that is of tremendous importance to our economy," MSU President Mark Keenum said. |
| Mississippi State bringing engineering classes to the Gulf Coast | |
 | Mississippi State University is coming to the Coast. On Thursday, MSU's president signed an agreement to offer engineering programs at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. This unique partnership will mean a lot to students, industries and the local economy. "Isn't it great to be a Bulldog?" asked MSU President Mark E. Keenum. The question drew laughter and cheers from a crowd of about 100 people. They gathered to celebrate as two Bulldog families forged an unprecedented partnership. "I'm elated to be partnering with MSU. We've been long time partners. A lot of our students transfer to MSU, but now the people on the Mississippi Gulf Coast will be able to get their engineering degree right here in conjunction with MGCCC. It's a great day. It's a historic day," said MGCCC President Dr. Mary Graham. |
| MGCCC, Mississippi State to offer engineering degrees | |
 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College President Mary Graham has cemented a partnership with Mississippi State University to offer engineering degrees at Gulf Coast's Jackson County campus. The agreement will allow students to choose between two degrees in Gautier, and the schools are still deciding between industrial, electrical, mechanical and civil engineering programs. Students will complete the first two years from MGCCC, earning an associate's degree, and the last two years from MSU, earning a bachelor's degree. |
| New MSU Riley Center Season Opens Aug. 28 | |
 | MSU Riley Center officials say response to the new season announcement has been the best the theatre in downtown Meridian has ever had. Tickets are on sale now for the new season, which begins Aug. 28 with Martina McBride. "We've had the best year ever with our full season packages," said box office manager Derron Radcliff. "We're up this year. In our eight years of being open, this is our best year of season packages. And we've been extremely busy with the 'build your own' packages." |
| New program launched to boost honeybee population | |
| In light of the decline of honeybee populations around the world, the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, in cooperation with several other agricultural organizations, has launched the Mississippi Honeybee Stewardship Program. This program outlines the basic standards that should exist between farmers and beekeepers when bees are located in or near agricultural production areas. Farm Bureau developed the Mississippi Honeybee Stewardship Program with the support and cooperation of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Mississippi State University Extension Service, the Mississippi Agricultural Aviation Association, the Mississippi Beekeepers Association, the Mississippi Agricultural Consultants Association and the Mississippi Ag Industry Council. |
| Mississippi asks federal appeals court to uphold state's abortion law | |
| Mississippi is asking a federal appeals court to uphold a 2012 state law requiring abortion clinic doctors to obtain hospital admitting privileges. In late July, a panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that the law is unconstitutional because it would close Mississippi's only abortion clinic. Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood filed papers Wednesday asking the full court to reverse the three-judge panel's ruling and allow Mississippi to enforce the law. It was not immediately clear when the full court would consider the request. |
| Christie, Bryant stop by Mary Mahoney's | |
| Locals lined the walls of Mary Mahoney's restaurant Wednesday to shake the hand of New Jersey governor and GOP leader Chris Christie. He stopped by to thank South Mississippi first responders who'd helped after Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The stop is one of many in a cross-country tour in support of GOP governors in Christie's role as chairman of the Republican Governors' Association. "I heard some extraordinary stories about how wonderful the first responders from Mississippi were to our folks," he said. "Particularly in Monmouth County, N.J., which was one of our hardest-hit counties where they went and spoke to folks directly." |
| New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie makes tour stop in Biloxi, thanks Sandy responders | |
| Although surrounded by local and state dignitaries, it was obvious that the men of most interest to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie were the Mississippi Highway Patrol troopers on hand to greet him at Mary Mahoney's in Biloxi Wednesday afternoon. And with good reason. The troopers on hand were among those who traveled to Christie's state to provided assistance in the wake of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 -- and storm which caused $30 billion in damage in New Jersey, destroyed or damaged 346,000 homes and killed 37 people. "Thank you so much," Christie said, more than once, to the troopers, stopping to shake each one's hand and speak with them directly, accompanied by Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant. |
| Wicker updates constituents on recent legislation during Brookhaven visit | |
 | U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., is making his way around the state, speaking with community newspapers to give updates about his work in Washington. As part of his tour, he visited The Daily Leader in Brookhaven on Monday to explain what's happening at the Capitol. Wicker's main concern is with Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who, Wicker said, has been stopping all legislation initiated by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. |
| Gov. Perry, actor Ratzenberger speak at Mississippi energy summit | |
 | Texas Gov. Rick Perry will provide the keynote address at Gov. Phil Bryant's energy summit on Oct. 8 at the Jackson Convention Complex. This will be Bryant's third energy summit, presented by the Mississippi Energy Institute, with past speakers including former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Bryant said the summit helps inform business and government leaders, students and others about the latest developments in the "energy economy." |
| McDaniel challenge expected to be filed Thursday | |
| A campaign spokesman said tea party-backed Chris McDaniel will file a lawsuit Thursday to challenge his primary loss to six-term Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran. Spokesman Noel Fritsch said Wednesday the circuit court lawsuit will be filed in Jones County. Thursday is the deadline for such a challenge to be filed. Certified results of the June 24 runoff show Cochran defeated McDaniel by 7,667 votes. McDaniel sent a letter Wednesday asking people to help him pay for the court case. |
| McDaniel will likely file court challenge today | |
 | Chris McDaniel sent out an email Wednesday afternoon, saying a court challenge is still coming to the June 24 U.S. Senate Republican primary runoff he lost to incumbent Thad Cochran. McDaniel was expected to file the challenge Wednesday, but late in the day it was reported by the campaign that it would not be filed before today. In the email, he asked for contributions to help with the challenge. The Cochran campaign has said its focus is not on any primary election challenge, but on the November general election against Democrat Travis Childers of Booneville. |
| McDaniel filing challenge in Jones County today | |
| A spokesman says Chris McDaniel will file his legal challenge of the June 24 GOP primary he lost to incumbent Sen. Thad Cochran today in Jones County Circuit Court. Today is the deadline to file. McDaniel on Tuesday said his legal team has told him he has a "rock-solid" case to overturn the primary. Once he files a circuit court challenge, state Supreme Court Chief Justice William L. Waller Jr. will appoint a special judge, someone on "senior status" from outside the county where it was filed. That judge is allowed to choose the most convenient place to hear the case -- many assume it will be in Hinds County or Jackson. |
| Evan Alvarez: Dumping the GOP | |
 | Evan Alvarez may be young, but he already fits the bill of a Southern politico. On a recent visit to the Jackson Free Press offices, Alvarez, 21, wore a tweed blazer, polished loafers, gentlemanly round glasses, his hair swooping to the side. Alvarez's fastidiousness drew several compliments, but it was his resignation from his position as chairman of the Mississippi Federation of College Republicans and switch to the Democratic Party that has Mississippi and the nation buzzing. A 21-year-old senior studying political science at Mississippi State University, Alvarez is a graduate of Ridgeland High School who early on decided to dedicate his life to helping spread the Republican message. |
| Some same-sex Mississippi couples record licenses | |
| In a move that's more symbolic than substantial, same-sex couples in seven Mississippi counties were allowed to file out-of-state marriage licenses into chancery court land records Wednesday, while couples were barred from filing documents in one coastal county. Couples said filing the papers does not overturn Mississippi's ban on same-sex marriage, but it does provide a public record that they are living as families in the state. "It doesn't give us any rights that we didn't already have. It is a way to create a vital record for historical purposes that we were here," said Joce Pritchett of Jackson. A North Carolina-based gay rights group, Campaign for Southern Equality, organized the effort. |
| Obama briefed on Ferguson protests | |
 | President Obama was briefed by top administration officials Wednesday night as protests over the shooting of an unarmed black teenager turned violent in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson. Obama was briefed on the situation by Attorney General Eric Holder and senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, according to White House spokesman Eric Schultz. Obama is scheduled to receive another briefing Thursday morning. Protesters angered over the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown allegedly tossed Moltov cocktails at police, who responded with smoke bombs and tear gas, according to multiple media reports. Two national reporters covering the developments -- Wesley Lowery of The Washington Post and Ryan Reilly of The Huffington Post -- were reportedly detained by police, before being released without charges filed. |
| Texas Gov. Rick Perry says National Guard 'tip of spear' guarding border | |
 | Gov. Rick Perry told National and State Guard troops headed to the border region that they would play a key role in protecting the U.S. against narco-terrorists who are "spreading their tentacles" into Texas and deep into the American heartland. "You now are the tip of the spear, protecting Americans from these cartels and gangs," Perry told a uniformed group of about 90 troops gathered Wednesday in a warehouse at Camp Swift, about 300 miles north of the border. Critics in Texas and beyond have accused Perry of exploiting the border crisis, saying he is using the deployment to spar with President Obama and burnish his conservative credentials ahead of another possible campaign for president. |
| MUW legend, Girl Scouts pioneer dies at 105 | |
 | Elizabeth Gwin, a spark of a woman whose passion for helping others burned for more than a century and led her to become a trailblazing Girl Scout and one of the most cherished, enthusiastic Mississippi University for Women alumna, has died. She was 105. Welch Funeral Home in Starkville is handling arrangements, which are incomplete at this time. Gwin died Tuesday. She was the oldest living MUW alum. MUW President Jim Borsig, who said Gwin's presence alone commanded respect, said the university community feels her loss. "(She) was an elegant and eloquent representative of her alma mater, a role model to countless young people and cherished not only by The W, but by all who knew her," Borsig said in a statement Tuesday. "She enriched our lives and I will miss her wise counsel and boundless optimism." |
| USM community prepares for freshmen move-in day | |
 | Freshmen move-in day is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the University of Southern Mississippi. Approximately 1500 freshmen are expected to move into their dorms over the course of those two days. The USM Police Department is prepared to direct traffic but motorists are strongly urged to avoid 4th Street on these days. Those who must travel through campus by this route should expect delays, especially on Friday, and use caution because of the anticipated high volume of pedestrian traffic. Portions of Hardy Street, Service Road, and Highway 49 near campus will be backed up on Saturday. "It's going to be a little more congested this year because we're going to add two more dorms off of 4th Street," said Bob Hopkins, USM Police Chief. |
| Auburn University freshmen experience move-in mania | |
 | Thousands of incoming freshmen at Auburn University invaded campus Saturday and Wednesday to move into the dorms for the first time. Known as "Move-in Mania," the two move-in days allow students of all ages to move into the dormitories on the Hill, in the Quad and Village and in South Donahue Residence Hall. Move-in day can be particularly hectic for freshmen and their families, according to Jacob Smith, an incoming freshman at Auburn living in the Village. "My parents came out to help me move," Smith said. "It's gone fairly smoothly so far. I'm just excited and ready to be here." |
| Co-host of MSNBC show 'Morning Joe' to speak at U. of Alabama | |
 | Joe Scarborough, a University of Alabama alumnus and co- host of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," will speak Aug. 22 at UA as part of the Blackburn Institute's 20th anniversary symposium. The former Florida congressman and conservative author will speak at 6 p.m. Aug. 22 in the Moody Music Building Concert Hall during a free event open to the public. The two-day symposium also includes a segment on Alabama literature led by Rick Bragg, professor of writing at UA, at 11:45 a.m. Aug. 23 at the Hotel Capstone and other panels about Alabama culture and the media. The Blackburn Institute was founded in 1994 with the aim of developing a network of leaders who understand the challenges that face the state of Alabama. |
| LSU alumni head resigns | |
 | The longtime leader of LSU's Alumni Association is retiring amid allegations that he had entered into a monetary arrangement with a former employee to keep secret a sexual relationship between the two. In his letter of "voluntary resignation/retirement" on Wednesday, former Alumni Association President and Chief Executive Officer Charlie Roberts again denied the allegations laid out in Kay Heath's lawsuit, which claims Roberts gave Heath a marketing job with the alumni group so she would continue a sexual relationship with him and then paid her monthly hush money after she resigned. |
| Women's Quad renovation at U. of South Carolina changes 'everything but the foundation' | |
 | Sweating through his shirt and heaving a giant tub Wednesday, Kevin Lang helped move his daughter into her new dorm room on the University of South Carolina campus. McKenzie Lang was one of the freshmen moving into the Women's Quad, three dorms built between 55 and 75 years ago that have been transformed by a 15-month-long, $29.2 million renovation. What's changed? "Everything but the foundation," said Gene Luna, USC's associate vice president for student affairs and academic support. "We have literally gone in and gutted these buildings." The renovation was part of USC's 10-year master plan for renovating its dorms and buildings as the university tries to attract students and grow its enrollment. |
| Universities chase big defense dollars | |
 | Some of the nation's most elite universities are deep into defense lobbying, often hiring Washington-based firms to press Congress and the Pentagon to fund their science projects. It's all about Big Research and Big Money. "When it comes to lobbying on the Hill, most universities have a large footprint," said high-powered defense lobbyist Michael Herson, who runs American Defense International and now has seven university clients. "In the defense space, it's been our experience that it's a lot of the engineering schools that lobby," he said, noting that technology, cybersecurity and munitions were also big fields for colleges. He said his work for university clients is "almost exclusively" related to research-and-development issues. |
| OUR OPINION: Private funds' importance grows in public universities | |
| The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal editorializes: "No other hard facts better measure changes within higher education in Mississippi than the private-sector financial gifts in recent years to the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University. Since 2010, extending through the 2014 fiscal year at both of the two largest state universities, private donors have given or pledged by contract almost $1 billion combined to UM and MSU. ...The success of private fundraising for both UM and MSU reflects both the loyalty and success of graduates and past students, and also reflects the value of university educational attainment in the usual measures of success. MSU President Mark Keenum and UM Chancellor Dan Jones both have said in recent forums that the importance and necessity of private support will not diminish." |
SPORTS
| Dak Prescott, Dan Mullen to appear on SEC Network's inaugural broadcast | |
| Let the party begin. The SEC Network launches tomorrow and Mississippi State is ready to celebrate. The university is hosting a 'launch party' beginning at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in The Junction. Television screens will be set up throughout the area so fans can watch the network's first two hours of programming. At approximately 6:15 p.m., the SEC Network goes live from MSU football's practice. Tony Barnhart will interview head coach Dan Mullen. The Bulldogs' practice will be the only one shown during the network's three-hour launch show. Following practice, Barnhart will interview quarterback Dak Prescott. The Famous Maroon Band, the MSU Spirit Squads, Bully and the Egg Bowl trophy will be in attendance. MSU Director of Athletics Scott Stricklin will address the crowd at approximately 4:45 p.m. Free refreshments will be available. |
| MSU seeks improvement in field goal kicking | |
| Mississippi State was the second worst field goal kicking team in the country last season. The Bulldogs saw just 10 of their 21 attempts split the uprights in 2013 finishing just ahead of UTEP for 123rd in that category. MSU's primary kicker last fall, Devon Bell, was 6 of 14 and has since been regulated to punting and kickoff duties. Now the placekicking responsibilities fall at the feet of three walk-ons. Sophomore Evan Sobiesk kicked in seven games last season and while newcomers Westin Graves and J.J. McGrath are also battling for the job. "All of them are extremely inexperienced at the placekicking position," said MSU coach Dan Mullen. |
| Mississippi State cornerbacks have sky-high expectations | |
| When Johnthan Banks and Darius Slay entered the NFL in 2013, they left a lot of pressure on their replacements. Both Mississippi State cornerbacks were selected in the second round of the NFL Draft. Taveze Calhoun and Jamerson Love attempted to fill those holes last year. Both now have a year of experience as starters in the Southeastern Conference. They're ready to live up to those standards. "I honestly feel like we can be one of the best corner duos in the country," Love said. |
| Former Bulldog quarterback Wyatt excited about talking football on the radio | |
| For former Mississippi State University quarterback Matt Wyatt, this is his busy time of the year. Wyatt and partner Richard Cross are now in their third football season of hosting "Head to Head," a syndicated three-hour afternoon sports talk show heard on the TeleSouth/SuperTalk stations throughout Mississippi. Also this fall, Wyatt will be entering his fourth season as a color analyst alongside Jim Ellis on the Mississippi State football radio broadcasts each Saturday. With football in the air, the fourth-year letter winner at MSU (1996-1999) is excited about the upcoming season. |
| Bulldogs beat Memphis in soccer exhibition play | |
 | In his team's first exhibition match of the season, Mississippi State coach Aaron Gordon wanted to see toughness and effort. Wednesday morning, he got both as the Bulldogs defeated Memphis 1-0 in front of several hundred fans at the Lady Tigers' on-campus practice facility. MSU, which concludes preseason action at 7 p.m. Saturday at Alabama, got its lone goal at the 21-minute mark of the opening frame when Morgan Ferrara crossed a pass to Shannen Jainudeen, who sent the ball to the left corner just out of the reach of the goalie. The regular season officially begins Aug. 22 at home against Iowa State. |
| With SEC Network set to kick off, Auburn still has ways to go | |
| Inside a small 115-square foot room, there's a lone chair sitting in front of a blue backdrop with the SEC Network and Auburn logos splashed across it. About 5 feet away, a bureau cam with a mini television below it stands ready at a moment's notice should ESPN come calling. A live site-to-studio interview with Tigers head football coach Gus Malzahn is about the length of Auburn's broadcasting capabilities currently inside its new War Eagle Productions studio building -- the unfinished heart for all future SEC Network productions on the Plains. "Right now we're going to be making it work," said Cassie Arner, Auburn's assistant athletic director for public relations who has spearheaded much of the SEC Network installation and development. |
| Vols, Vandy spend for SEC Network exposure | |
 | Changes that will impact the way Tennessee and Vanderbilt athletics are consumed for years to come are about to take place on campus. The much anticipated launch of the SEC Network, which will air Southeastern Conference content 24 hours per day, is scheduled to take place at 5 p.m. Thursday. Tennessee is constructing a $10 million studio in the first floor of its Brenda Lawson Athletic Center. Vanderbilt has invested more than $3 million, including the construction of a state-of-the-art control room in Memorial Gym that will transmit from all sports on campus back to the network's home base in Charlotte, N.C. |
| NCAA: Athletics departments shouldn't oversee investigations of sex assault allegations | |
 | The National College Athletic Association made clear to its members last week that college athletics departments should not have an oversight role in investigating sexual assault allegations against athletes. The NCAA's Executive Committee unanimously passed a resolution Friday that spelled out expectations for how athletics departments should handle cases of sexual assault. "Athletic departments must cooperate with but not manage, direct, control or interfere with college or university investigations into allegations of sexual violence ensuring that investigations involving student-athletes and athletics department staff are managed in the same manner as all other students and staff on campus," the resolution stated. |
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