Friday, April 10, 2015   
 
Joint aviation program takes flight
A new partnership between two Mississippi schools will change the role of aviation in local farming practices. Precision Agriculture, 2 Plus 2, is a joint effort between Hinds Community College and Mississippi State University to bring "real data in real time for real results" to Mississippi farmers, officials announced Thursday in a hangar at Joe Bell Williams Airport in Raymond. Mark Keenum, president of MSU, said the new program is meeting a need on a global scale. Citing the world's projected 9.5 billion population by 2050, Keenum said the "global dinner table" is expanding. Noting the "diminishing quantities of water" and the worldwide problem of human malnutrition, Keenum said today's food production would have to double in order to provide for the world's 2050 projected population. Programs like 2 Plus 2 can help ease that burden, he said. Gov. Phil Bryant told the crowd "precision aviation is the future, and we do aviation very well in Mississippi."
 
Mississippi State Student Earns Goldwater Honor
A Mississippi State physics and mathematics double-major from Starkville is among those receiving a prestigious recognition by a premier national scholarship organization. Senior John Kristian "Kris" Madsen is the land-grant university's fifth student in the past four years to receive honorable mention selection by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. He is a 2012 Starkville High School graduate and the son of John and Carolyn Madsen. Madsen is a member of the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College. Previously awarded multiple National Science Foundation research grants, he is a frequent presenter at the college's Undergraduate Research Symposium, as well as at regional and national venues.
 
Lucky Dog Barrel Race this weekend at Mississippi Horse Park
The Mississippi Horse Park will host the fourth annual Lucky Dog Barrel Race on Saturday through Monday. This is the second sold-out horse event at the Horse Park in 2015 and it will draw contestants from multiple states to compete. All horses will be barrel racing regardless of the breed. "This is a great example of how the CVB program was used to entice an event to move to Starkville and generate new tourism dollars in our community," said Bricklee Miller, facility director. "The Lucky Dog Barrel Race has sold-out all the horse stalls for three years and is now an established event at the Horse Park." The park is a division of the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
 
Farmers holding onto grain, hoping for a break in the market
Mississippi farmers are holding large amounts of grain, primarily corn and soybeans, on their property, waiting for the best time to sell it. But they are holding out for hope in a market oversupplied and underpriced. Plus, if too many dump it at the same time, that would drive prices down further, said John Michael Riley, agricultural economist at Mississippi State University.
 
Bakery opening in downtown Starkville in May
A locally-owned bakery offering hand-made, hearth-baked breads will open in the Golden Triangle next month. DeRego's Bread is owned by Troy DeRego, a New Hampshire native who has lived in Starkville for nearly a decade. His bakery will be located at 109 W. Main St., near the new Starkville City Hall. While bread is the focus, the bakery will eventually offer sandwiches and a selection of imported cheeses and olive oils, DeRego said. The bakery is slated to open May 5. The hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Breads will come out of the oven throughout each day, DeRego said.
 
Organizers preparing for Starkville market's May launch
Starkville Community Market organizers say they're hopeful to see the event, which is now under the Greater Starkville Development Partnership's third year of control, continue growing at its new Fire Station No. 1 park location this year. Market season begins May 2, and vendor applications and SCM rules are available at the Partnership's Main Street location and online at visit.starkville.org/market. SCM attendance, sales and vendor statistics have grown since the Partnership took over the event's 2013 run. This year's market will run through August and could continue based upon supply and demand.
 
Airbus Helicopters names new president/CEO
Airbus Group has named a new President and CEO for Airbus Helicopters. Chris Emerson, currently the head of Marketing with Airbus in France, will assume the duties June 1. Emerson will serve as the head of Airbus Helicopters North America Region with operations in the U. S. and Canada. The company has a manufacturing and assembly facility in Columbus.
 
Mississippi riddle: Why do tax collections belie drop in employment?
Mississippi is one of 28 states whose employment numbers in the 25-54 age group -- the prime earning years -- were lower in 2014 in terms of percentages, five years after the end of the national recession, according to a Pew Charitable Trusts report. In fiscal 2007, $1.53 billion --- the largest personal income tax amount ever in Mississippi --- was put in the state's General Fund. In the next three years, income-tax revenue dropped, reflecting the national recession, which officially lasted from December 2007 till June 2009. But transfers of personal income tax to the general fund in 2012 and 2013 increased by 5.5 percent and 9.2 percent, respectively, as employment in the 25-54 category continued its downward trend. What's going on? A definitive explanation for the seemingly contradictory employment and revenue trends has proven elusive for Mississippi's University Research Center.
 
MDA head is 'job creator in chief'
The Mississippi Development Authority executive director's charge is straight-forward: Create as many jobs as possible as quickly as possible. Those are the marching orders for the successor to Brent Christensen. The search for his replacement has started, Gov. Phil Bryant said soon after the news dropped. Business leaders say it's the most important hire Bryant will make. "Every state agency has a big job, but that particular agency is the one that makes a difference 20 to 30 years from now," said John Hairston, president and CEO of Hancock Holding Co., parent of Hancock Bank. Some in-state names are already surfacing among government and economic development sources as possible replacements.
 
McGrevey named to Mississippi Veterans Affairs Board
Meridian Chief Administrative Officer Mike McGrevey has been selected to the Mississippi Veterans Affairs Board by Gov. Phil Byrant and approved by the Mississippi Senate. McGrevey's five-year term will begin June 1. He will represent the Third Congressional District. McGrevey said he was pleased to be a part of the seven-member board that represents more than 225,000 Mississippi veterans. He has been the city of Meridian's CAO under Mayor Percy Bland since 2014. One of the key goals for the Veterans Affairs Board in the next legislative session in 2016 will be to stabilize funding by creating policies and methods that will provide a steady and consistent funding stream.
 
In many states, lieutenant governors take on larger role
A state's second-in-command is often first to joke about being No. 2. As lieutenant governor of Arkansas, Win Rockefeller liked to say the job was state government's spare tire: kept in the dark, pumped up and hoped it's never used. Now, some lieutenant governors are rising above the punch line. "We're seeing an evolution when it comes to the office of lieutenant governor," said John Mountjoy, director of policy, research and strategic initiatives at the Council of State Governments. "Lieutenant governors used to be just the special chair of the Blue Ribbon Commission on X," Mountjoy said, "but they're now seen more and more as a huge asset." The role of lieutenant governors is expanding because the role of governors has grown.
 
Borsig to remain at Mississippi University for Women
Jim Borsig is staying in Columbus. Borsig announced at Mississippi University for Women today that he will remain the university's president. He was slated to become Mississippi's new higher education commissioner next Wednesday. Borsig made the announcement at 11:30 a.m. in Poindexter Hall. "Yesterday I asked the Board of Trustees to allow me to remain as president here and decline the position of IHL commissioner," Borsig told a crowd of roughly 80 university employees, staff and faculty this morning. "I felt that it was important that I tell you this in person." The crowd gave Borsig a 45-second standing ovation. The move still needs formal approval by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.
 
Borsig: 'Called to be' at MUW
Jim Borsig decided he could not leave a job he loved. Citing a calling he felt as president of Mississippi University for Women, Borsig announced Thursday he has decided to remain in that role, declining an opportunity to be the state's commissioner of higher education. "As old-fashioned as it may sound, I came to the conclusion I was called to be here to do this job. Both jobs are important. I support the board, and I support the system. At this point in my life and in my career, I see lives transformed every day on this campus, and it is a passion."
 
Borsig to leave IHL post, return to the W
Incoming commissioner of higher education Jim Borsig announced Thursday his intention to remain as president of Mississippi University for Women. Borsig was scheduled to officially succeed former commissioner Hank Bounds, who left to become the president of the University of Nebraska. "This is something I had been praying about and reflecting on for some time," Borsig said in a phone interview Thursday. "And yesterday is when I sent the letter to the board asking to remain as president with my commitment to serve through the transition. It's as simple as, at this point in my life and career, I feel a strong calling to serve this university as president. Both jobs are important. I have complete confidence in the Board and I support this university system. It's as simple as where I believe I am called to serve."
 
More spice overdoses treated at U. of Mississippi Medical Center
More patients exhibiting symptoms related to an overdose of the designer drug spice have been treated at the University of Mississippi Medical Center's Emergency Department. The new cases -- a reported five on Wednesday and seven on Tuesday -- puts the number of patients treated at the Medical Center for symptoms of spice overdose to around 45, said Dr. Alan Jones, chair of the UMMC Department of Emergency Medicine. The majority of the cases occurred within the Jackson area. All but one of the patients treated at UMMC over the last week have since been discharged, he added. Jones said UMMC officials know of an estimated 40 additional cases outside of the metro area, with reports coming in of spice overdoses in Meridian, Philadelphia, Monticello and Hazlehurst.
 
New master's degree offered at U. of Southern Mississippi
Why would Donald Paisant, chief of Public Safety for SMG New Orleans, which includes the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Smoothie King Center and Champions Square, say Thursday was a great day for the University of Southern Mississippi and for his profession? Because he was appearing at the announcement of a new Southern Miss degree -- Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Sports Security Management. "It is critical that we identify and develop new security professionals," Paisant said, at a news conference at M.M. Roberts Stadium's Touchdown Terrace. "This MBA with its emphasis in Sports Security Management will allow our profession to grow and provide us with sustainable leadership going forward." The new degree is the first program of its kind in the United States designed to provide an educational opportunity for professionals who work or aspire to work in middle- to upper-management of the sport safety and security industry.
 
USM dedicates Century Park South residential complex
Southern Miss administrators, faculty and supporters gathered Thursday morning to officially dedicate the new Century Park South residential complex. It includes the Luckyday Citizenship Hall, along with Scott and Vann halls. It's a gated community with 954 beds and is the largest construction project in the university's history. "It's just been an exciting process from start to finish and so we're thrilled to get to this day, to be able to cut the ribbon and do the official dedication," said Dr. Rodney Bennett, USM president.
 
U. of Alabama tuition hikes get initial approval
The University of Alabama board of trustees is set to consider tuition increases for students of the systems' medicine, dentistry and optometry schools and the Huntsville campus when it meets today. The increases received preliminary approval Thursday by the board's finance committee, which met along the physical properties committee on the University of Alabama in Huntsville campus. Tuition would increase 3.5 percent for Alabama residents at the University of Alabama at Birmingham's School of Medicine and the College of Community Health Sciences at UA. The rate per school year would increase by $892 to $26,382. For non-residents, tuition would increase 1.5 percent, or about $914 to $61,848.
 
College of Engineering hosts international teams for competition at Auburn
One hundred international SAE teams have converged at the National Center for Asphalt Technology's (NCAT) Pavement Test Track facility in Opelika for Baja SAE Auburn 2015, a student design motorsports competition hosted by Auburn University's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. Baja SAE is an intercollegiate competition run by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The competition began Thursday with two days of static events, including a business presentation, technical inspection and design assessment. The main racing events are set for this weekend. The dynamic racing events will kick off Saturday.
 
Louisiana higher ed leaders: Nixing programs, laying off workers, closing all budget-cut possibilities
Louisiana colleges are at risk of cutting back programs and services for students, losing accreditation, laying off workers and, eventually, closing altogether under the grim budget picture they face in the coming year, higher education leaders told a key House panel Wednesday. Louisiana is facing a $1.6 billion funding shortfall in the budget year that begins July 1. That has left higher education among the key areas that face the threat of deep cuts. Without an infusion of millions by the state Legislature, Louisiana's public universities and colleges would get about $123 million in state funding to split among their campuses next year -- about an 82 percent cut from their current funding level. "We just can't do it," Higher Education Commissioner Joe Rallo said.
 
Detained U. of Florida professor returns from Abu Dhabi ordeal
A longtime University of Florida engineering professor is back from a months-long ordeal in Abu Dhabi, preparing for the end of the spring semester after being held captive on charges he took illegal photos of embassies in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. "I had planned to be in Abu Dhabi for three days starting March 8 as one of 200 scientists from 70 countries for a United Nations-sponsored meeting on agriculture and food security," John K. Schueller said in a written statement issued late Wednesday night. "Unfortunately, it turned into a month-long stay." While taking photos the first night he was there, Schueller said, he inadvertently took photos of two embassies. "That is strictly forbidden; I was taken into custody and my passport was confiscated," he said.
 
U. of Kentucky to pay D.C. lobbying firm $500,000 over three years
The University of Kentucky will pay a Washington D.C. lobbying firm with connections to U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Somerset, more than $500,000 over the next three years to represent UK on the federal stage. Cornerstone Government Affairs will make about $15,000 a month to help UK secure more federal grants and research funding, as well as affect federal policy on higher education, according to university officials. Cornerstone Vice President Michael Higdon, former chief of staff to Rogers, will lead the UK team and work directly with UK's director of federal relations, Eric King.
 
Judge dismisses claims of impropriety in UGA professor's case
A judge dismissed a case Thursday alleging the state was dishonest in how it handled a University of Georgia professor's tenure hearing five years ago. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jerry Baxter threw out the case after a half-hour trial in which he ruled the only witness inadmissible. "This case is over," he said with a wave of his hand. "...I don't have time for this." Thursday's hearing had attracted the attention of people around Georgia with various complaints against the state who had hoped a full-blown trial would expose what they claim is a pattern of dishonest behavior. These complainants say that recent financial settlements the state has made with fired workers from various agencies over wrongful-dismissal are evidence of a conspiracy to hide the dishonesty.
 
Frank Broyles to Receive Honorary Degree from U. of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas says it will give honorary degrees to its biological sciences dean and a former athletic director at commencement exercises next month. James Hildreth will receive an honorary doctor of science degree. Frank Broyles will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. Hildreth is a pioneer in HIV and AIDs research. The Camden native was the first African-American from Arkansas selected as a Rhodes scholar.
 
Rapper Common recalls journey to 'greatness' at U. of Missouri
Academy Award-winning hip-hop artist Common started out his hourlong talk with an audience of almost entirely University of Missouri students with free-verse rapping, incorporating lingo from MU and Columbia. "College Ave.," "Rollins" and "Club Ellis," for Ellis Library, all made it into his free-verse rhyme at the Missouri Theatre on Wednesday evening. Lonnie Rashid Lynn, known by his stage name, "Common," most recently made headlines when he received an Oscar and Golden Globe for his collaboration with artist John Legend on the original song "Glory" from the "Selma" soundtrack. He has produced 10 albums and has acted in more than a dozen movies, including "Selma." But at MU this week, Common spoke more about his personal journey and the importance of recognizing where it started and what inspired him.
 
U. of Missouri System to spend $2.2 million on Title IX efforts
The University of Missouri System will spend $2.2 million on Title IX education and prevention efforts during fiscal year 2016, the Board of Curators was told Thursday. Betsy Rodriguez, system vice president for human resources, updated the curators, meeting this week at Missouri S&T, about plans at all four campuses to comply with Title IX policies and federal mandates. "Title IX touches every corner of our institution," Rodriguez said. In the fall, all incoming undergraduate and graduate students on the four campuses will be required to take online violence prevention training called "Not Anymore."
 
Some gain, others fall in Florida's performance-based funding system
The best-laid plans often go awry. And in the case of Florida's performance-based funding model, even the most formula-based system can turn, at times, into something less than an objective process. In the two years since the 10-metric system took effect, there have been scoring ties that affect which universities finish in the top and bottom groups. More importantly, those top and bottom classifications influence how much -- if any -- of millions of performance-based dollars universities can claim. So far, the institutions that have lost out on award money are small regional universities, the state's only liberal arts college and the state's only public historically black institution.
 
Medical Schools Reboot For 21st Century
Medicine has changed a lot in the past 100 years. But medical training hasn't -- until now. Spurred by the need to train a different type of doctor, some top medical schools around the U.S. are tearing up the textbooks and starting from scratch. Michigan is one of many med schools in the midst of a major overhaul of their curricula. For example, in a windowless classroom, a small group of second-year students is hard at work. The students are not studying anatomy or biochemistry or any of the traditional sciences. They're polishing their communication skills. It may seem an odd way for medical students to be spending their class time. But Dr. Erin McKean, the surgeon teaching the class, says it's a serious topic for students who will have to communicate life and death matters during their careers.
 
BOBBY HARRISON (OPINION): 'One judge in Hinds County' has always heard state cases
The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal's Bobby Harrison writes: "There has been much gnashing of teeth over the fact that 'one judge in Hinds County' can decide whether the Legislature is not meeting its commitment to fund public education if the citizen-sponsored Initiative 42 is approved by voters this November. Some even pointed to the fact that one Hinds County judge -- Circuit Judge Winston Kidd -- recently changed the language of the legislative alternative to Initiative 42 because he ruled that the original language might confuse voters when they go to the polls in November to decide between the two proposals or for neither. A little clarity might be in order here to a confusing set of circumstances."


SPORTS
 
Going with what works: Cohen not changing the rotation
Mississippi State tweaked the rotation but left the lineup alone last weekend against South Carolina. Both decisions worked for John Cohen. The Bulldogs won their first Southeastern Conference series of the season and scored 27 runs in the three games. The same cast of characters hopes to do the same this weekend against No. 1 Texas A&M on the road. "I think we'll pitch it exactly like we did last week," Cohen said. Mississippi State inserted Lucas Laster into the rotation last week as the game-one starter. Preston Brown and Vance Tatum followed the lefty.
 
Mississippi State baseball will try to improve resume this weekend
The margin of error is gone for the Mississippi State baseball team. After losing 14 of its last 22 games, MSU is on the outside looking in for an at-large bid in the NCAA tournament after losing three of its first four Southeastern Conference series. It only gets tougher from here. Starting at 6:35 p.m. Friday, MSU (21-14, 5-7 SEC) will face No. 2 Texas A&M (31-2, 9-2) in Game 1 of a three-game series in College Station, Texas. The series will be the Bulldogs' first of three in the next four weekends against ranked teams. The Aggies are ranked No. 1 in the Collegiate Baseball and USA Today polls. They are No. 2 in the Baseball America rankings. But MSU coach John Cohen isn't pressing the panic button with such a tough opponent on deck.
 
Bulldogs look to reverse fortunes
Expectations have certainly changed concerning Mississippi State's postseason chances. The Diamond Dogs began the year 13-0 and climbed as high as No. 15 in the D1Baseball.com poll by Week 3. MSU has since lost 14 of its last 22 outings and plummeted to No. 121 in the initial NCAA RPI rankings released this week. But the Bulldogs have a chance to improve their postseason outlook this weekend when it travels to No. 2 Texas A&M for a three-game series. "There's a lot of conference play left and the conference championship is still on the line," said MSU right fielder Jake Vickerson. "Obviously we're still shooting for that. We dug ourselves a little hole but we get to play all of the top teams so there a chance to gain some ground there. We just have to take it one game at a time."
 
Flat-seamed baseball effects seen in Starkville, nationwide
Mississippi State pitcher Lucas Laster noticed a difference the moment he picked up the new flat-seam baseball. With seams stitched closer to the surface to resist drag in an effort to increase scoring and rescue home run totals from near-record lows in 2014, Laster and his mound mates used the new baseballs for the first time in the fall. For Laster, the adjustment wasn't immediate. "I wasn't able to command the ball as well," said Laster, who is 4-1 and has emerged as MSU's Friday night starter. "It feels smaller in your hand. Even though it's not smaller, it feels that way. At first, I lost a little command. But once I made the adjustment to the new ball, I've been able to get the sink and movement I need." MSU coach John Cohen said the difference brought about by the new baseballs has been minimal.
 
Mississippi State softball sets sights on trip to Missouri
When the season started, the Mississippi State softball team knew the importance of the middle two weeks of April. The Bulldogs have an eight-game stretch of games against teams in the Ratings Percentage Index Top 28, with seven of those being against the Top 13. With an RPI of 22, MSU is looking for a late push to secure a high seed in an NCAA regional with the outside hope of hosting a regional. MSU kicked off the eight-game stretch on a positive note with a 9-4 win over No. 1 LSU (RPI No. 2) in a non-conference game played before a packed house Wednesday night at the MSU Softball Field. Now, the Bulldogs are back on the road. MSU (30-10 overall, 8-7 SEC) faces No. 21 Missouri (RPI No. 8, 25-8, 6-6) in a three-game Southeastern Conference series this weekend in Columbia, Missouri. The series opener is at 6:30 p.m. today on SEC Network+.
 
Bulldog DE Brown moving into leadership role
Days passed without Ryan Brown sleeping through the night. The January workouts inside Mississippi State's football practice facility added to the tossing and turning. "I'm used to hearing (Kaleb) Eulls' voice and Preston (Smith) and P.J. (Jones) rapping in the corner somewhere," Brown said. "I didn't hear that. I was kind of shocked. I was like 'wait, I'm a senior now.' It clicked." Each checkpoint along the journey to the 2015 season would be his last at Mississippi State. The leaders who helped him navigate that path in the past were gone. It's now his turn as a senior to guide the direction of the team.
 
MSU Notebook: New safeties get a closer look
Mississippi State is building depth at its safety position this spring. The Bulldogs really did not have a choice in the matter. Jay Hughes and Justin Cox are gone and rising senior Kendrick Market is still recovering from a ruptured Achilles suffered in the Egg Bowl. Their absence has created plenty of reps for some of MSU's unproven talent in the secondary. Juniors Deontay Evans and Kivon Coman have been the beneficiaries of the first team reps this spring. Evans started two games last fall while Coman appeared in all 13 games as a reserve. "I'm just coming out here to get better as a player and as a leader," Coman said.
 
Jones drama hasn't affected Rebels' fundraising
The college board's non-renewal of Dan Jones as Ole Miss chancellor and the prolonged discussion of his future have not hurt athletics fundraising or on-going projects on campus. Instead, relationships between the school and its private contributors remain strong, athletics director Ross Bjork said this week. "We've been engaged with our donors and telling theme, one, that we love chancellor Jones," Bjork said. "We respect his leadership. He's been terrific for athletics, and we're going to miss him. Now that the decision is final it's time to move ahead. We really believe there has not been a more critical time to continue supporting Ole Miss athletics but also to give more if you can do that."
 
Texas A&M promotes Stansbury to associate head men's basketball coach
Texas A&M head men's basketball coach Billy Kennedy promoted assistant Rick Stansbury to associate head coach Thursday, A&M announced. Stansbury joined A&M's staff last season after spending 22 seasons at Mississippi State.
 
Community voices opposition over proposed Texas A&M football park-and-ride plan
Clad in their jerseys and shorts, dozens of soccer players, parents and coaches came to Thursday's College Station City Council meeting to ask council members to reject an agreement designating Veterans Park as the park-and-ride location for A&M home football games. Under the current proposed schedule, which has yet to be voted on by the council, at least four Saturdays would be lost to A&M football games. To compensate, the city has expanded the season. While Veterans Park was available for seven Saturdays last year, it will be available for as few as five or as many as eight Saturdays this fall. Despite the loss of at most two Saturdays, for many parents and coaches the issue is between the needs of A&M football versus the needs of the 1,300 children who play soccer.
 
At Least 15 Athletics Programs to Offer More Than $4,000 in Extra Aid to Athletes
The University of Tennessee and four other major-college athletics departments are set to offer players an additional $5,000 or more in scholarship assistance starting this fall, according to a Chronicle analysis of financial-aid allowances at the 65 wealthiest NCAA institutions. Ten other athletics programs have plans to distribute at least $4,000 more in aid. The money, part of a new spending allowance approved in January by the five biggest conferences, allows Division I colleges to cover the full cost of players' scholarships. Previously, colleges could cover only the cost of a basic scholarship --- tuition, fees, room and board, and books. Spending power among the five biggest conferences --- the Atlantic Coast, Big Ten, Big 12, Pacific-12, and Southeastern --- varies greatly. Three of the top four programs are from the Southeastern Conference: Tennessee ($5,666), Auburn University ($5,586), and Mississippi State ($5,126).



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