I want to begin by thanking everyone who attended the Reimagining MSU special event or watched the livestream on April 11. It was an exciting and impactful program as we officially launched the university’s new Transforming MSU strategic plan and Taking Care of What Matters branding initiative. You can learn more about Transforming MSU at www.msstate.edu/transformation and Taking Care of What Matters at brand.msstate.edu. I’d also invite you to watch our new “Transformational Change” video at www.msstate.edu/videos/2023/04/transformational-change.

While it certainly is a busy time of year on campus, please let me take a few minutes of your time for a brief update from the Division of Academic Affairs.

Preparing for Commencement in Davis Wade Stadium

As most of you probably know, we have moved spring commencement exercises to Davis Wade Stadium from Humphrey Coliseum, which is undergoing a major renovation and expansion. The planning this change has required has been extraordinary, and I want to thank Assistant Vice President John Dickerson and all the members of the Commencement Committee for everything they’ve done for our graduates and their families and friends. This Friday [May 12] is going to be very much like a football game day with thousands of visitors and busier traffic, and I appreciate your patience and cooperation as we welcome these special guests to our campus. Additional information is available at https://www.registrar.msstate.edu/students/graduation and https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2023/04/msu-graduation-returns-davis-wade-stadium-may-12-ceremonies.

Grawe Named Dean of College of Business

We were very pleased to announce Scott Grawe as our new dean of the College of Business last week. Dr. Grawe is an accomplished scholar and leader with a strong focus on student success, as well as supporting faculty, industry partners, and employers. I have great confidence he will continue to build on the college’s long and successful history. He’ll be joining us officially on July 1 from Iowa State University, and I appreciate College of Education Dean Terry Jayroe for chairing the search committee, as well as the contributions of the search committee members. I also commend and thank Dean Sharon Oswald for her service to our university. Sharon — congratulations on your well-earned retirement! Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=7085.

Stewart Named Inaugural Dean of Nursing

We were also very pleased to announce Mary Stewart as the university’s first dean of nursing in April. Dr. Stewart will join MSU-Meridian on July 1 to oversee the professional Accelerated Master’s Graduate Entry Nursing Program at the university’s Riley Campus, which is being developed as a health sciences campus. She most recently served as a tenured professor and director of the Ph.D. program in nursing science at the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s School of Nursing in Jackson. I appreciate the leadership of Associate Vice President and Head of Campus Terry Dale Cruse as we move forward with developing the new nursing program and all who have contributed to the success of our efforts to further develop our health sciences initiative. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=7067.

In addition to Dr. Stewart, we’ve also appointed Harold Jones as interim associate vice provost for health sciences at MSU-Meridian, along with appointing Shauncey Hill as director of projects and strategic planning for health sciences. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=7075.

Kudos and Congratulations

Every month, I look forward to sharing faculty and staff success stories with you, and here are a few that have crossed my desk recently:

* Kudos to Jimmy Avery, an Extension professor with the National Warmwater Aquaculture Center at the Delta Research and Extension Center and director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, who was recently recognized with the U.S. Aquaculture Society’s Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the aquaculture industry. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=7079.

* Congratulations to Jesse Goliath, an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures, who is the university’s first fellow in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the premier organization for professional forensic scientists in the country. He is one of only three active AAFS fellows in the state. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=7058.

* Kudos to Andy Kouba, Dale H. Arner Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology and head of the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, who was recently honored with the Seven Seals Award for his support of employees serving in the National Guard or Reserve. The Seven Seals Award is the broadest and most inclusive award given by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The Seven Seals Award is presented in recognition of significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission.

* Congratulations to John Bickle, a professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion, who has earned the distinction of lifetime member in the Southern Society for Philosophy and Psychology, a select group of less than 20 social scientists nationwide. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=7088.

* Kudos to Terry Likes, professor and head of the Department of Communication, who has recently won top honors from the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters. Dr. Likes was awarded two first place awards, as well as a third-place award, for two reports that aired on WMSV-FM. Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=7089.

* And congratulations to Vice President for Finance and Administration Don Zant on the occasion of his retirement in June. He has been an outstanding leader, colleague, and friend, and it has been an honor to know and work with him. Don — I wish you and Andrea the very best as you begin this exciting new chapter! Read more at https://memo.msstate.edu/story.php?id=7087.

Final Words

As we conclude another academic year together, I want to say thank you for your many contributions to our success. It’s been an outstanding year, and I remain deeply honored to be your colleague. Thank you for taking time to read this month’s letter. As always, I welcome your thoughts, questions, concerns, and ideas about these topics or anything else on your mind.

Hail State!

David

Dr. David R. Shaw is Provost and Executive Vice President at Mississippi State University. His email address is david.shaw@msstate.edu.