Points of Pride
Service
A senior policy analyst at Mississippi State's John C. Stennis Institute of Government received the 2012 Joan Fill Bishop Award presented by the American Society for Public Administration. Lydia Quarles, also an assistant professor of political science and public administration, received the honor which recognizes those who have helped increase women's participation in public administration.
Mississippi State's Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems received the 2012 Community Economic Development Award presented by the Mississippi Economic Development Council. The award recognized CAVS' work with Nissan at its auto assembly plant in central Mississippi.
Mississippi State is one of seven Souteastern Conference universities recognized nationally for community service activities. The university is among only 100 institutions selected for the 2012 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction.
An administrator who is part of the university's International Institute was selected in 2012 for the prestigious Fulbright Scholars Alumni Ambassador program. Stephen Cottrell will serve in the leadership program administered by the Institute of International Education in Washington, D.C.
The university's police department holds accreditation from the national Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. It is one of only two university police departments in Mississippi with the accreditation, and one of six statewide.
Architecture professor David J. Perkes, director of the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio, was recognized as a 'Champion of Change' by President Barack Obama. An arm of the School of Architecture, the center he heads in Biloxi has worked since 2005 to design affordable and sustainable housing in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
In 2010, more than 109,000 youth participated in one or more 4-H Youth Development Programs offered through the MSU Extension Service.
John Marszalek, Giles Distinguished Professor Emeritus, is one of 22 experts participating in a public history project organized through the Washington Post as part of the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's winning the U.S. presidential election. Through a Washington Post blog called "A House Divided," Marszalek will write about events and people associated with the Civil War.
Mississippi State was recognized in 2010 as one of the top 20 colleges and universities nationwide for military personnel and veterans. Military Times EDGE, a career and education supplement published with the Military Times newsweeklies, evaluated 4,000 colleges and universities for the ranking.
Mississippi State President Mark Keenum is serving as a three-year trustee for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on Colleges. He will help determine policy and review and make decisions regarding accreditation for regional institutions of higher learning.
Mississippi State received the 2010 Community Engagement Classification, awarded by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The honor recognized the university's alignment among mission, culture, leadership, resources, and practices in support of "dynamic and noteworthy" community engagement.
Janet S. "Jan" Odom received an outstanding recognition award from the National Academic Advising Association. She was selected for an Outstanding Advising Certificate of Merit/Primary Role category award. Odom is a member of the University Academic Advising Center professional staff.
Stephen Cunetto, systems administrator for Mitchell Memorial Library, was chosen by the Mississippi Library Association as the organization's 2011 vice president and moves to the top position in early 2012.
Mississippi State President Mark E. Keenum received the 2010 Leadership Award from the Congressional Award Program. The honor recognizes his support of the partnership between MSU and the Congressional Awards Program, which has promoted initiative, achievement and service by young people through 4-H programs since 1979.
MSU's Soil Testing Laboratory processes 25,000 soil samples each year for Mississippi's citizens.
The College of Veterinary Medicine annually sponsors a "Human-Animal Bond" week to highlight topics such as pet overpopulation, pet loss and bereavement, and animal abuse. One of only 28 veterinary colleges in the nation, MSU's veterinary program also has an endowed professorship that focuses on issues related to the humane and ethical treatment of animals.
The MSU Riley Center in Meridian has earned, among many honors, ConventionSouth magazine's annual Readers' Choice Award. It is a performing arts, convention and education center that has become a major Southern venue.
Computer science faculty members at Mississippi State developed digital forensics training for "wounded warriors," taught in cooperation with Walter Reed Army Hospital. The goal is to help veterans improve job opportunities after leaving the military. The department also developed a digital forensics training program for law enforcement officials. It has been completed by more than 2,400 law enforcement officers from more than 20 states.
Dr. Lucy Senter, head of laboratory animal resources at MSU, is a director of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. The organization is recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association as the certifying body for laboratory animal medicine.
The Animal Health Center, part of the College of Veterinary Medicine, is open to the public and functions as a primary care and referral center for the treatment of companion animals, horses and livestock in Mississippi, as well as the surrounding states. The center's latest figures show that it treats approximately 9,000 animals annually.
The College of Veterinary Medicine has prevented tens of millions of dollars in losses to catfish, poultry, beef, and swine producers through nutrition and disease prevention research.
The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision based at Mississippi State is the only one in the nation.
The university's College of Architecture, Art and Design hosts an annual summer Design Discovery program to introduce high school students to architecture.
The university's T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability, established in 1995, is a research facility that helps remove barriers for persons with disabilities. It serves clients with mobility, hearing, visual, communication, and cognitive impairments.
