Friday, October 27, 2017   
 
Moyen new leader of College of Education graduate department at MSU
Eric Moyen, a higher education administrator originally from Lexington, Ky., is the new leader of the Department of Educational Leadership, the graduate academic department at Mississippi State University's College of Education. Moyen has served for the past 13 years at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., as professor of education and director of First Year Programs. He also was chair of the health, exercise science, and secondary education department, and most recently, was assistant vice president for academic affairs. Moyen earned his doctoral degree from the University of Kentucky and received a master's degree from the University of Alabama. He completed his undergraduate work at Taylor University. He and his wife, Missy, have two daughters, Anna Grace and Emmy.
 
MSU student financial aid department receives Regions Bank marketing honor
Photo: Mississippi State University's Department of Student Financial Aid recently was honored with the Regions Bank Marketing Partner Rock Star Award for its role in promoting financial education. Pictured are, from left, Jay Willis, branch manager for Regions Bank in Starkville; Sammy Slaughter, senior vice president and city president for Regions Bank in Starkville; John Daniels, MSU financial literary coordinator; and Paul McKinney, MSU student financial aid director. In fall 2016, MSU implemented Transit-Financial Wellness as part of the Regions Financial Scholars Program. It is an interactive, web-based, tablet-friendly financial education program created by EverFi Inc., a leading education technology company. Regions Bank sponsors Transit at college campuses in several states as part of the company's commitment to sharing financial education with students of all ages.
 
MSU-Meridian, Meridian Community College host College and Job Fair
Photo: Rachel Owens of Meridian, who is studying interdisciplinary studies at Mississippi State University in Meridian, registers at the College and Job Fair hosted by Meridian Community College and MSU-Meridian Wednesday. More than 31 area businesses and educational institutions were at MSU-Meridian's Kahlmus Auditorium for the fair.
 
Baptist to Starkville: We help hospitals grow
Baptist Memorial Health Care leadership laid out the story of how its system grows health care in small, medium and large towns at a Thursday night forum in Starkville. "Our goal is simply to partner with you for your health care needs in whatever way you desire," said Jason Little, chief executive officer for the Memphis-based health care system. Baptist Memorial is one of two health systems that have submitted proposals to the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors to buy OCH Regional Medical Center in Starkville. Tupelo-based North Mississippi Health Services made its presentation on Wednesday. Baptist Memorial is the largest hospital system in Mississippi. In Northeast Mississippi, Baptist Memorial has hospitals in Booneville, Calhoun City, Columbus, New Albany and Oxford.
 
Minor injuries reported in massive Avalon Apartments fire
No serious injuries or fatalities were reported in a late night apartment fire in Starkville that saw an entire unit engulfed in flames. The fire began shortly before midnight in one building at Avalon Apartments on Eudora Welty Drive and crews from the Starkville Fire Department, along with the Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Office and the Starkville Police Department responded to the blaze. No other buildings were damaged in the fire. SFD Chief Charles Yarbrough told the Starkville Daily News at least two residents suffered minor burns trying to help other residents out of the building. "It's pretty much a total loss," Yarbrough said. "Everything is pretty much destroyed." Yarbrough said all residents were safe and accounted for shortly after the fire broke out.
 
Mid-South native John Grisham returns for book signing
John Grisham walked into Burke's Books in the Cooper-Young neighborhood of Memphis and immediately began hugging people. "They're old friends," the bestselling author said of Corey and Cheryl Mesler, the husband and wife team who own the esteemed bookstore that has persevered the era of Amazon.com and the tidal waves of change engulfing the book business. "I started signing at Burke's in 1991 with The Firm," Grisham said, referring to one of his early hits that was made into a Memphis-based movie starring Tom Cruise. "It's home, OK? It's Memphis, Southaven, Desoto County and we'd draw a lot of people from those areas and we'd sign books until midnight." Grisham said he loves going to independent bookstores all over the country. Grisham graduated with a degree in accounting from Mississippi State University in 1977.
 
Economy grew brisk 3% in Q3 despite hurricanes
Even two devastating hurricanes can't hold down the resurgent U.S. economy. While Hurricanes Harvey and Irma dampened housing construction, the economy grew briskly in the third quarter as business stockpiling consumer spending picked up the slack. The nation's gross domestic product -- the value of all goods and services produced in the U.S. -- increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3%, following a 3.1% increase in the second quarter, the Commerce Department said Friday. Economists expected 2.6% growth. It marks the first time growth topped 3% for two straight quarters since mid-2014.
 
Governor advocating for two statewide votes: state flag, transportation tax
If second-term Gov. Phil Bryant has his way, 2018 could be a busy year for Mississippi voters. If second-term Gov. Phil Bryant has his way, 2018 could be a busy year for Mississippi voters. The Republican governor voiced support earlier this week for placing on the ballot for voters to decide: Whether to pay additional taxes (presumably on gasoline and other items) to raise revenue for transportation needs on the state and local level. And whether to change the Mississippi flag, which has the controversial Confederate battle emblem as part of its design. Bryant has for more than a year advocated for a second statewide vote on whether the flag should be changed. In 2001, Mississippians voted overwhelmingly to keep the current flag, first adopted in the 1890s, instead of adopt a new design that did not contain the Confederate emblem.
 
Medicaid eligibility would move under Human Services with Bryant plan
Gov. Phil Bryant has instructed officials to develop plans to transfer all Medicaid eligibility verification responsibilities to the Department of Human Services. If the change is made, Human Services will be responsible for determining the eligibility of Medicaid applicants, alongside applicants for the services they already provide like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. At the same time, talk of implementing a work requirement for Medicaid recipients, something the federal government has not previously approved, is gaining traction. "I anticipate the Department of Human Services assuming full responsibility and authority over Medicaid enrollment and eligibility by amending the code," Bryant wrote in a letter to both agencies Oct. 12.
 
Smith elected chair of state Republican Party
Attorney Lucien Smith was elected chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party on Thursday, replacing Joe Nosef, who recently resigned after chairing the party for nearly six years. Smith was unopposed for election by the MSGOP's Executive Committee after being nominated by Gov. Phil Bryant. Bryant in a statement said Smith, "has a wealth of experience to draw from during his time on staff for multiple Republican governors and also in the private sector practicing law." "He has the trust of his peers around the state and I look forward to working with him soon to further the values of the Republican Party," Bryant said. Smith previously served as counsel and budget adviser to former Gov. Haley Barbour and as chief of staff for Bryant. He ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer in 2011.
 
Credit rating agency gives schools negative report
Mississippi's local school districts have been given a "negative credit outlook" by Moody's credit rating agency as a result of last week's unanimous Mississippi Supreme Court ruling that the state does not have to fully fund local school districts despite a law saying they "shall" be fully funded. Former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove filed a lawsuit on behalf of 21 school districts to try to recoup past funding shortfalls for those districts and to garner future full funding for all school districts. The lawsuit was based on a 2006 law saying the Legislature "shall" fully fund the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, which is the formula used to provide the state's share of funding for local school districts.
 
Coast hospitals claim state Medicaid mismanaged $533 million in federal funds
For years the state Division of Medicaid has failed to properly administer a federal hospital reimbursement program, and this lapse is robbing a group of Mississippi hospitals of more than $33 million a year, according to a lawsuit filed with the Mississippi Supreme Court. Gulfport Memorial Hospital and Ocean Springs' Singing River Health Systems sued the state's Division of Medicaid on Oct. 2 for consistently failing to update the agency's $533 million hospital reimbursement program, which repays hospitals for providing uncompensated care. But criticism of Medicaid's formula, known as the Mississippi Hospital Access Program, has dogged the agency since the plan's implementation in late 2015 and has come from not only Memorial and Singing River but also the University of Mississippi Medical Center, a chancery court judge and the federal government. Every one of these has demanded Medicaid fix the formula for its Hospital Access Program.
 
Documentary highlights both sides of state flag argument
On Wednesday, Oct. 25, the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics featured the premiere and discussion of a new documentary film titled "Flag Flap Over Mississippi." This film is an independent venture by award-winning filmmaker Rex Jones and was produced by The Southern Documentary Project, an institute of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi. Rex Jones said he is a "one-man band" behind the film, shouldering the entire filmmaking process from research to camerawork. His film studies the pressures and conflicts surrounding the divisive Mississippi state flag and includes interviews with Mississippians who represent a range of opinions on the meaning of the state's official banner, which displays the Confederate battle emblem. He said he tried to format this film as a conversation between people who wouldn't normally talk to one another.
 
Alcorn rises into top 20 best HBCUs in 2018 U. S. News & World Report ranking
Alcorn State University has moved up to the 19th best historically black college and university in the nation according to the 2018 U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges rankings. Alcorn jumped five spots from its position as 24th in the 2016 rankings. The University also ranks 37th in the Top Public Schools category, making it the only Mississippi HBCU to be ranked in the category. Alcorn remained among the Top 100 Best in the Regional Universities (South) category at number 95. U. S. News recognizes highly ranked schools in different categories. Criteria evaluated in the U.S. News rankings include academic reputation, retention and graduation rates, among others. The organization ranked 74 HBCUs.
 
Three students robbed at gunpoint at Alcorn State University
Three male students were robbed at gunpoint at Alcorn State University Wednesday night. According to University spokesperson Marcus Ward, the students were robbed around 11:30 that night near the Oakland Memorial Chapel. Ward said he didn't know how many robbers there were, but nobody was injured during the robbery. After this incident, the campus is adding more procedures to try to prevent this from happening again. "One robbery is too many and we're doing what we can to keep our students safe". Ward says the campus is adding lighting to dark areas of the campus and mobile guard stations will be added to place that don't have one.
 
U. of Alabama sets fundraising record with $120.7 million
The University of Alabama set a new yearly record for gifts and pledges, raising more than $120 million during the fiscal year that ended in September. "We are truly grateful for the faithful generosity of our alumni and friends, and this fundraising record is evidence of how special the Capstone family is," said UA President Stuart R. Bell. "Without the loyal support of our donors, we would not be able to dream of accomplishing all that we do." During the record-setting year, more than 58,000 donors gave or pledged more than $120.7 million university wide. The donors provided nearly $25 million for endowed scholarships, $20 million for programs, $18 million for campus construction projects and facility maintenance, and $4 million to support faculty. Fourteen gifts exceeded $1 million. UA received first-time gifts from 7,667 donors. Bob Pierce, vice president for advancement, attributes much of the success to the president's leadership and vision for the Capstone.
 
Gov. Kay Ivey returns to Auburn for women's leadership event
One thing Gov. Kay Ivey won during her career as an Auburn University student was a goat milking contest. "In the summer of my senior year, Alpha Psi fraternity started their rodeo," Ivey told a crowd at Telfair B. Peet Theatre. She recounted how she and her roommate teamed up for the event, which was a race to see who could be the first to run across a field, bring back a goat and milk it. "She brought her over, and I got down and milked and entered the first drop of milk. So we won the goat milking contest." Ivey spoke of this accomplishment and others Thursday on campus for an "Auburn Women Leaders, Past and Present" lecture, along with SGA president Jacqueline Keck and former SGA presidents Cindy Holland Torbert and Lauren Hayes Smith. The event was part of the university's 125 Years of Auburn Women campaign. Alabama's second female governor graduated from Auburn in 1967, as the only student in school history to win five campus-wide elections in four years.
 
Auburn University student charged with felony rape of female acquaintance
An 18-year-old Auburn University student is charged in the reported sexual assault of another student. Auburn police on Wednesday announced a first-degree rape charge against Jubal David Camp. Authorities said they obtained the felony warrant against Camp on Tuesday. The arrest, police said, stems from an investigation into a reported sexual assault that happened on Sunday, Oct. 8, at a residence on Longleaf Drive. The female victim, also 18, told police she was forcibly sexually assaulted at the residence, by Camp, who was an acquaintance. Police confirmed to AL.com that both the suspect and the victim are Auburn University students.
 
Board: LSU's Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity shut down because chapter was 'unsafe'
Another LSU fraternity has been shut down, this time in a move prompted by national fraternity leaders who deemed the chapter "unsafe." The LSU chapter of Lambda Chi was closed officially this past Sunday after a vote of the fraternity's board of directors. "Based on the recent chapter history, the fraternity Board concluded that the chapter was unsafe and didn't promote a healthy environment or one conducive to learning or personal development" the fraternity wrote in a statement. "Under the terms of the closure, no individual may represent Lambda Chi Alpha or the Upsilon chapter in any manner on the Louisiana State University campus, including social events, intramurals, and the Inter-Fraternity Council." Lambda Chi's departure from campus comes as LSU administrators have vowed to scrutinize and root out bad behavior from fraternities and sororities.
 
U. of Arkansas System Considers Changes to Ease Tenured-Faculty Firings
The University of Arkansas system is considering proposed changes in its tenure policy that could make it easier to fire professors and, faculty members say, chip away at academic freedom. A key concern, they say, is language in the proposal that outlines when professors may be fired for cause. It includes a "pattern of disruptive conduct or unwillingness to work productively with colleagues." That language, some faculty members say, effectively means collegiality -- or the lack thereof -- can be used as a reason to dismiss a professor. Using collegiality as a criterion to evaluate faculty members has long been condemned by the American Association of University Professors.
 
Former astronaut details space, chasing curiosity at Texas A&M scholarship presentation
Turns out, even space can get boring after a couple of runs. At least this was the case for Fred Gregory, a former astronaut who went on to hold the position of NASA deputy administrator at the request of President George W. Bush. "I know it's difficult to understand," he told an audience at Rudder Theater on Texas A&M's campus, "but I was bored to death." The former three-time astronaut detailed his life path leading up to his first space shuttle flight and his explanation for why he didn't pursue a fourth trip to an auditorium full of middle schoolers on field trips and Texas A&M students cycling through between classes. The speech was tacked onto a scholarship presentation, where Texas A&M students Kendal Ezell and Brooke Versaw were awarded $10,000 from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. Gregory's message to both scholarship recipients and students in attendance was to chase curiosity and seize opportunities as they arise.
 
Texas A&M to use $13M grant to train teachers who work with ESL students
Learning English as a second language adds a layer of difficulty for students -- and for teachers, too. But around 2,000 teachers in Texas who do just that will have some help from Texas A&M University over the next three years, thanks to new grant funding. The Center for Research and Development in Dual Language and Literacy Acquisition and Education Leadership Research Center secured $13 million in grant money from the U.S. Department of Education to help teachers and administrators at schools with higher populations of students who are learning English or who are economically disadvantaged. Texas A&M was one of 12 universities and nonprofits across the nation to earn a slice of funding from the DOE Supporting Effective Educator Development Grant Program. Depending on the outcome of the next three years, Texas A&M may also get an extension of grant funding for another two years.
 
U. of Missouri Greek system plagued by poor oversight, risky behavior
Fraternities and sororities at the University of Missouri operate in a free-for-all atmosphere with little oversight or guidance from an Office of Greek Life that has no "overarching goals, objectives or priorities," a consulting firm wrote in a scathing report released Thursday. The report from Dyad Strategies stops short of recommending that the university cease sponsoring Greek organizations. Instead, it offers almost 50 recommendations for action, ranging from barring freshman from living in fraternity houses and stricter enforcement of alcohol policies to increased security at social events to prevent rapes and hazing. None of the recommendations will be implemented immediately, Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Gary Ward said in a news release accompanying the report. Dyad consultants will work with alumni, university supporters, students, staff and faculty to review the report, with decisions on which recommendations to implement due in the spring, Ward said.
 
Senate hearing explores free speech on college campuses
At a congressional hearing on free speech on college campuses Thursday, witnesses and senators from both parties championed the free exchange of a diversity of ideas, though they almost all had the same opinion: free speech needs to be vigorously defended on college campuses in the wake of a spate of instances in which students have shouted down speakers. Allison Stanger, a professor of international politics and economics at Middlebury College, was one of the witnesses at the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions' Thursday hearing, "Exploring Free Speech on College Campuses." She joined Senators Lamar Alexander and Patty Murray -- the Republican chairman and ranking Democrat, respectively -- in expressing her commitment to seeing colleges uphold free speech. But Stanger's testimony was as personal as it was political.
 
Even with booms in student enrollment, not enough degrees to keep up with jobs in computer science
Colleges can't seem to keep up with computers. The growing number of jobs in the computing field far outpaces how many students are earning bachelor's degrees in computer science and similar fields, according to a lengthy new report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. The continued demand for computer science programs at colleges and universities has strained faculty workloads, especially as more and more students enroll. Of those students, few are women or from underrepresented minority groups, and that's not likely to change unless academe begins targeting those populations. These are the takeaways from the report -- and the national academies have suggestions, though they stressed some solutions will vary by institution. "Strains on educational institutions are significant," the report reads. "There is a growing sense of an impending crisis in many universities."
 
Supposed campus guidelines on costumes not always what they seem
Students' costumes have come under increasing scrutiny over the last few years as social media has become more prominent, and images can be shared with and commented on by the entire internet. While stories -- whether originating on social media or in conservative news outlets -- about oversensitive students or university policies that supposedly coddle them are common around Halloween each year, they can sometimes paint a misleading picture about how much colleges actually control students' costumes. In practice, though many colleges share information with students about why some costumes may be offensive, they often don't regulate what students wear.


SPORTS
 
Inside John Hevesy's demanding approach as Mississippi State's offensive line coach
John Hevesy wanted Dillon Day to play center for Mississippi State in 2011. In Day, who was a freshman at the time and played guard in high school, Hevesy saw a vocal "control-freak" and therefore thought it'd work out well. There was one problem. "Dillon had in his mind that he was not going to play center," former Mississippi State offensive lineman Gabe Jackson said. In protest, Day purposely launched the first seven snaps over the quarterback's head, according to those who attended that preseason practice. Hevesy recalled then sternly telling Day, a Louisiana native and former three-star prospect, something along the lines of, "If you don't do it right, you can go to Louisiana Tech." That's the cleaner version. "He really did say that," Jackson said. "I had got a little upset because we did really need him there. But it also kind of got funny, but I didn't want to laugh, especially not in front of coach. Trust me, it was hard. It was real hard." Said Hevesy: "I don't think Dillon had a bad snap the next three and a half years."
 
Aggies improving by the week after shaky start
Texas A&M's season didn't exactly start off the way many had planned. The Aggies blew a 44-10 lead at UCLA to kickoff the season and then struggled in wins over Nicholls State and Louisiana-Lafayette at home. Credit coach Kevin Sumlin for finding a way to right the ship for his team, which is sitting at 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the SEC. "They've shown what they're capable of." Sumlin said. "We've gotten better every week and we've gained confidence every week. They've done a good job of listening to the information in this building, blocking out the noise and staying together as a team." Texas A&M found a way to win over Florida on the road, 19-17 two weeks ago, and enjoyed a bye week before hosting Mississippi State on Saturday.
 
Bulldogs picked No. 4 in preseason coaches poll
Mississippi State reached the Final Four for the first time in program history last season. This year, the Bulldogs begin with their highest preseason ranking. MSU came in at No. 4 in the USA Today Coaches' Poll released on Thursday. Vic Schaefer's squad is coming off a record-setting campaign going 34-5 and finishing as the national runner-up. MSU has nine letterwinners returning off that team including its top three scorers Victoria Vivians, Morgan William and Teaira McCowan. The Bulldogs came in behind UConn, South Carolina and Baylor in the preseason poll. State defeated Baylor and UConn in consecutive rounds before losing to South Carolina in last year's national championship game.
 
What are former players looking for from Ole Miss' open forum Friday?
The worst thing, Ross Bjork believes, is when people stop caring. That should be far from the case Friday evening, which is when Ole Miss is scheduled to hold an open forum to discuss the future of its football program with former players. The future will be dictated by the NCAA's verdict and an upcoming coaching search, which will likely play out over the next five or six weeks. As of earlier this week, about 180 former players were expected to attend the forum. Aside from voicing their opinions, what are some of the former players who will attend looking to get out of it? "I've talked to a lot of former players and we're a lot like everybody else. We want to know who the next head coach will be," said Ben Craddock, a three-year letterman who played from 1996-2000. "We all want Matt Luke to get it, we're all pulling for Matt Luke to get it. A lot of us played with Matt. But if that's not the case, we want to make sure that (we) talk with Ross." What exactly the former players want varies by who you talk to. For Craddock, it's integrity.
 
7 of 9 suspended Gators offered pre-trial intervention
Seven of the nine Florida football players suspended for suspected credit card fraud have agreed to pre-trial interventions with the State Attorney's Office that could lead to third-degree felony complaints against them being dropped. If the seven meet the requirements of their intervention, the charges eventually will be dropped. Those offered pre-trial intervention were wide receiver Antonio Callaway, running back Jordan Scarlett, linebacker James Houston, wide receiver Rick Wells, linebacker Ventrell Miller, defensive tackle Richerd Desir-Jones and defensive end Keivonnis Davis. Each case will be presented to court over the next few weeks for formal approval. Those seven players were all charged with two third-degree felonies in a sworn complaint filed by the University of Florida Police Department on Sept. 25 for fraud under $20,000 and using another person's credit card without their consent.
 
UGA Extension offers tips on healthy, nutritious game day foods
The Georgia Bulldogs have two more home games remaining this season, meaning two more chances to showoff your tailgate cooking skills. Whether you are tailgating at the game or hosting a game day party at home, following a few easy tips from University of Georgia Cooperative Extension can ensure you have a fun, healthy game day. Some popular game day party foods are more nutritious than others. While it is OK to incorporate a few of your favorite cheesy dips or sweet desserts into the menu, you should also choose vegetable, fruit and whole-grain dishes that contain a variety of nutrients. Salsa, guacamole, chili, soup containing vegetables, pasta salad with vegetables, or broccoli salad made with low-fat mayonnaise or yogurt offer a variety of vitamins and minerals that are not found in queso dip.



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