| Monday, April 24, 2023 |
| 'Overlooked' students to benefit from historic $100M donation to MSU | |
 | After a $100 million donation, Mississippi State University just received the largest-ever donation to a higher education institution in the state. George and Kathy Bishop, a couple from Texas, established the George Bishop Family Endowed Scholarship in 2018 with a $10 million commitment. Now the $10 million has been paid out, the couple is replenishing the scholarship fund with a $100 million investment. John Rush, MSU vice president for development and alumni, said the investment will be spent over the next three years helping students who "have high academic drives" but often go overlooked for large scholarships. In-state students will be given preference, he said. "This historic gift is a testament to George's extraordinary philanthropic vision, as well as his belief in Mississippi State University, our students and the unique role our institution has in shaping and strengthening the welfare and future of society," Rush said in a press release from MSU. "Scholarships break down barriers and increase accessibility for more students to get an education, but the impact doesn't end there. The support of a scholarship award can change the trajectory of a student's life, and the positive ripple effect it creates for their family and the communities they serve is immeasurable." |
| MSU-Meridian announces inaugural Dean of Nursing | |
 | Mississippi State University-Meridian has selected the first dean for its recently announced Master of Science in Nursing degree program, the first graduate entry-level licensure program in the state. Mary W. Stewart will join MSU-Meridian effective 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. The nursing program will join the university's existing Master of Physician Assistant Studies program and newly approved Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration program housed on that campus. Her MSU appointment is pending formal approval by the state Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees. "Mississippi State has been evaluating matters of critical importance in our state, and addressing the shortage of qualified health professionals is among our top priorities," said MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw. "To create a top-quality program, we are seeking top-quality faculty. I am confident in Dr. Stewart's ability to lead this new program administratively, and I appreciate that she brings the benefits of her experience as an academic leader, a registered nurse for over 30 years, and a Mississippian who is invested in the future of our state and committed to taking care of what matters." |
| MSU-Meridian names Mary W. Stewart inaugural dean of nursing | |
 | Mississippi State University-Meridian has selected the first dean for its recently announced Master of Science in Nursing degree program, the first graduate entry-level licensure program in the state. Mary W. Stewart will join MSU-Meridian effective 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. The nursing program will join the university's existing Master of Physician Assistant Studies program and newly approved Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration program housed on that campus. Stewart comes to MSU from her most recent role 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. She previously served as interim dean of the UMMC School of Nursing and dean of the Joseph and Nancy Fail School of Nursing at William Carey University. In addition to being a longtime faculty member, she has worked as a staff registered nurse for Forrest General Hospital and Methodist Hospital in Hattiesburg, among others. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and was appointed to the Mississippi Board of Nursing in 2019. |
| 'Men of Excellence' hosts 2023 State of Black Men Symposium at MSU | |
 | Revive, Recharge, Redirect. That's the motto of this year's State of Black Men Symposium on Mississippi State University's campus. The conference, hosted by the "Men of Excellence" organization, allowed black men to engage with local professionals to discuss the importance of the black man's role in the family and in the professional world. Other discussions included mental health and leadership. Leaders of the symposium hope the event will help build a positive image for black men in America. "As you know, sometimes in the world, we're always known as gangbangers. We can be leaders in this world and we can be leaders outside of just the government. We can be leaders in our own companies. We have black students here that have their own companies. They're their own bosses. Making money while they're in college. Getting their bills paid. This is a stepping stone for them," said Jalen Wilson, President of "Men of Excellence". Some notable key figures leading the event were Starkville Fire Chief Charles Yarbrough and Ron Thornton, the President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of the Golden Triangle. |
| Workshop teaches sustainability starts at home | |
| Some say it's just not easy being green. But a Mississippi State University student organization aimed to teach Starkville residents about easy ways to be more environmentally conscious during its annual Earth Day Fair Saturday. Students for a Sustainable Campus held its first off-campus Earth Day fair Saturday at Fire Station Park downtown to reach more people and spread the word on environmental sustainability methods that the average person can use in their day-to-day life. Club president Emma Van Epps said the new fair was meant to show people how to be more aware of their surroundings and use the local environment to be more sustainable through educational workshops. "This is a new thing that we're doing," Epps said. "We're hoping to make it an annual festival because we wanted to have an outlet for the community to get together and celebrate Earth Day but also to spread some educational resources." Campaign manager for the club, Grant Peterson, said having the fair at Fire Station instead of on campus also helps more people become aware of the organization. "We really wanted to expand it to the community because there is kind of that town and gown divide, and we want to help bridge that gap," Peterson said. To do this, Epps and Peterson invited six vendors to teach locals about efforts to preserve natural habitats, vegetation and even local projects to help preserve watersheds in Starkville. |
| Cultivate strong postsecondary partnerships | |
 | Mississippi State University's Sean Owen writes for the Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE): Dedicated educators work to improve the quality of postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) in many ways. At Mississippi State University (MSU), in 2020, President Mark Keenum felt called to act. You see, Keenum is a community college graduate. And he felt MSU could do more for its stakeholders. For learners interested in the applied sciences, an associate in applied science (AAS) was once considered the terminal degree. But in 2023 and looking forward, many related industries need higher-level skills in the workforce. Thus, Keenum proposed creating a new degree program: the bachelor of applied science (BAS) at MSU. Education leaders responded by soliciting feedback from community college and industry partners to gauge the most critical workforce needs and consider labor market projections. MSU then developed areas of emphasis for BAS degree programming that included advanced manufacturing, trades supervision, public management and cybersecurity. New degree programs like MSU's BAS can expand the CTE pathway ecosystem in a manner that is responsive to industry needs for more management-ready graduates in all career clusters (Goger, 2019). Further, opportunities to develop and validate new skills will benefit postsecondary CTE faculty as well as community college students in high-quality CTE programs. |
| Shark that washed up on Orange Beach was pregnant: Researchers | |
 | The Hammerhead Shark that washed up on Orange Beach Thursday was pregnant with 40 shark pups, according to researchers from the Mississippi State University Marine Fisheries Ecology Department. The City of Orange Beach Coastal Resources posted on Facebook what researchers found during an autopsy on the shark. The resource team said they contacted Dr. Drymon from MSU who is a researcher that focuses on coastal sharks. Drymon sent a team to Orange Beach to perform the autopsy. Researchers discovered that the dead 14-foot shark was female and it was pregnant with 40 shark pups. According to the post, it is very rare to find a large pregnant female shark, however, the data the researchers were able to collect will be helpful in learning more about the species. "This was definitely an experience that we won't forget, and we are grateful to have played a small role in this unique case," read the post. The cause of death has not been determined. |
| Pregnant hammerhead shark washes up on Alabama beach | |
 | A deceased pregnant great hammerhead shark washed up on an Alabama beach on Thursday, officials say. Beachgoers spotted the shark near the shore in Orange Beach. They pulled the 14-foot animal ashore before the city's coastal resources employees arrived. Though it was a sad sight, city officials were enthused about the opportunity to examine a shark that was so well-preserved. "While it was very sad that it passed, we were excited about the rare opportunity of seeing a Great hammerhead in such good condition," the City of Orange Beach Coastal Resources' Facebook post read. "We immediately started contacting various agencies to see who had availability to come gather data from this unique specimen." Photos show that workers needed to hoist the shark onto a truck to transport her. Employees contacted a Mississippi State University professor about performing an autopsy on the deceased animal. A research team was promptly sent to study the dead shark. |
| Petals & Prosecco set for Friday at Merrehope | |
| Gardening and floral design enthusiasts can learn how to make 19th century-style mantel garlands at Petals & Prosecco, a floral design demonstration and reception at Merrehope this Friday. Petals & Prosecco will feature Jim DelPrince, a horticulture specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and extension leader of the Master Floral Designer Program. His demonstration of creating a floral garland for use on a Merrehope fireplace mantel will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the historic home museum. Limited seating is available for the event, so advanced tickets are required. Tickets are $40 each. DelPrince was a long-time faculty member at Mississippi State University before he joined the Extension Service in 2015. He began teaching floral design at the college in 1992. MSU offers one of the country's leading floral management programs. Based at the MSU Coastal Research and Extension Center, DelPrince offers classes, workshops and other educational opportunities to amateur floral enthusiasts, professional designers and members of Mississippi's green industry. |
| Itawamba County natives find success with Starkville nursery | |
| When Kody Brown was about 9 years old, he took an interest in gardening. He began planting flower beds, building fish ponds, puttering with vegetables. In 2006, at age 12, he was featured in a story in the Home and Garden section of the Daily Journal. "I get my ideas when I'm out walking around or on a four-wheeler," Brown said in the article. "I've been around plants a lot and I read in books about them. When people come over, if I don't know the name of something, I'll ask them." Today, folks are asking Brown and his wife, Kandiace, the tough gardening questions. The couple own and operate Twigs Nursery and Landscaping in Starkville. The two are Mississippi State graduates, and both majored in horticulture. He's a Mantachie native and she's from Fulton, but they decided to open their business in Bulldog country. "One of the main reasons we stayed here is because there were no other locally owned nurseries," Kody said. "We didn't expect the Starkville community to take us in like they have since we're both outsiders," Kandiace said. "But they've taken two kids who aren't from here and just surrounded us with support." The Browns play to their strengths at Twigs. He does the residential and commercial landscaping and lawn maintenance, and she runs the nursery, takes care of social media and shops at market for gifts for their store. |
| NAACP sues Mississippi over 'separate and unequal policing' | |
 | The NAACP warns that "separate and unequal policing" will return to Mississippi's majority-Black capital under a state-run police department, and the civil rights organization is suing the governor and other officials over it. Republican Gov. Tate Reeves says violent crime in Jackson has made it necessary to expand where the Capitol Police can patrol and to authorize some appointed rather than elected judges. But the NAACP said in its lawsuit filed late Friday that these are serious violations of the principle of self-government because they take control of the police and some courts out of the hands of residents. "In certain areas of Jackson, a citizen can be arrested by a police department led by a State-appointed official, be charged by a State-appointed prosecutor, be tried before a State-appointed judge, and be sentenced to imprisonment in a State penitentiary regardless of the severity of the act," the lawsuit says. Derrick Johnson, the national president of the NAACP, is himself a resident of Jackson. At a community meeting earlier this month, he said the policing law would treat Black people as "second-class citizens." |
| Activists are calling on state leaders to leave Confederate Memorial Day in the past | |
 | Mississippi is one of three southern states that observe Confederate Memorial Day as a state holiday, but advocates believe the celebration is antiquated and rooted in racism. Mary Jane Meadows is a member of the North Mississippi chapter of the Indivisible advocacy group. Her organization protested the holiday's recognition last year and plans to do the same for 2023. "That means that 25,000 or more state employees have a day off with pay courtesy of the Mississippi taxpayers," she said. "39% of whom are black persons who are voters and taxpayers." Governor Tate Reeves has also proclaimed April as Confederate Heritage month. Leslie-Burl McLemore has been involved in civil rights activism in Mississippi since the 1960s, and now serves as professor emeritus for political science at Jackson State University. He says educating young adults on Mississippi's past is what will allow the state to move away from holidays celebrating confederate figures. "We should do a much better job... starting in the lower grades through higher education," he said. "talking about and teaching and educating our young people about our history and about ways that we can work together and move forward and not backward." |
| 'Nobody knows when it's going to happen': Wall Street wakes up to default threat. | |
 | For months, Wall Street has barely focused on the possibility that the government might default on its debt. It's paying attention now. As the drop-dead date to raise the nation's $31.4 trillion debt ceiling looms with no deal in sight, traders and executives are starting to get nervous that President Joe Biden and Republicans won't resolve the impasse until it's too late. That's sparked increasing concern about a potential threat that could rock markets and tilt the world's largest economy into recession. "There is this view in D.C. that the market isn't freaking out enough, and that may be true to an extent," said Alec Phillips, chief political economist at Goldman Sachs. "But I've been dealing almost exclusively with this issue the last few weeks, and there is actually more concern now than even in 2011," when Standard & Poor's downgraded U.S. debt during a similar standoff. "It's just that nobody knows when it's going to happen or what to do about it." How Wall Street investors react to a possible default is crucial because they're the ones who finance the country's enormous debt by buying the securities that Treasury sells to fund the government. If they shy away from the market, interest rates could skyrocket, squeezing the government, businesses and consumers. That's why their level of confidence can serve as the strongest force to drive Washington partisans to make a deal. |
| TikTok Ban Divides Young and Old, Democrats and Republicans, WSJ Poll Finds | |
 | Nearly half of U.S. voters support banning the Chinese-owned TikTok video app, according to a new Wall Street Journal poll, but there are sharp divisions along partisan, age and even racial lines. Most voters view the app as a national-security risk and favor forcing its sale to non-Chinese owners, the poll found. But younger voters and Democrats are far less likely to support a ban than older voters and Republicans. Overall, 46% of respondents support a nationwide ban and 35% oppose it. By party, 62% of Republicans favor a ban on TikTok, while just 33% of Democrats do. By age group, 59% of people age 65 and over favor banning TikTok, while 37% of those 18-34 favor a ban, with 48% opposing. The findings reflect TikTok's user base -- most of whom are under 30, an age group that typically favors Democrats by wide margins. Nearly half of white voters, or 48%, favor a ban, as do 42% of Hispanic voters. But just 35% of Black voters say they support banning the app. Overall, the poll points to an electorate that is still making up its mind about the risks around the Chinese-owned app, said pollster Tony Fabrizio, whose firm conducted the Journal survey along with that of pollster John Anzalone. While a majority thinks the app poses a security risk, so far "it's kind of a soft sense," Mr. Fabrizio said. He noted that only one-third of respondents view it as a major risk, while another quarter view it as a minor risk. |
| Service, scholarship and sisterhood: MUW sorority class comes together 24 years after joining | |
| April 15, 1999. This was a day that was cemented in the history of 13 ladies, bringing them all together under a common umbrella, and joining them in sisterhood for the remainder of their lives. This was the day that the 1999 class of the Omicron Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta at Mississippi University for Women were initiated. To commemorate the occasion, the members came together 24 years to the day, on April 15. In addition to the reunion, the group did a number of community service projects that day, because service is one of the staples of their sorority. "We've traveled from all over to gather here this weekend," Daphne Bowden, one of the members, said. "We are doing community service events throughout today." The sisters began the day at Loaves and Fishes, the local soup kitchen, preparing meals. Bowden said the project was an easy pick because Columbus was so instrumental in their coming together, and what better way to give back to the community than to help feed those in need? "We want to make sure we give back to the community that birthed us," Bowden said. The next project involved teaming with The W's current class of Delta Sigma Theta for a book drive. |
| Morgan Wallen Cancels Mississippi Show After Losing Voice | |
| Morgan Wallen fans had already entered Vaught Hemingway Stadium on Sunday night (April 23) when they were unexpectedly informed that the country singer would not be able to perform. According to WTVA, video boards inside the Ole Miss football stadium displayed a message informing attendees that Wallen had lost his voice and would be unable to play his show. WLBT reported that the message on screens read: "Ladies and gentlemen, unfortunately, Morgan has lost his voice and is unable to perform tonight. Therefore, tonight's show has been canceled. Please make your way safely to the stadium exits. Refunds for tonight's event will be available at point of purchase." The news came after a number of fans had already entered the stadium, including a number who posted pictures in which they eagerly awaited Wallen taking the stage. The surprise cancellation came one night after Wallen played a show at the same stadium on Saturday night, the first major concert in the venue's history. It reportedly also left some attendees who sat through the opening acts feeling aggrieved, with a number venting their anger on social media. "Completely disappointed in @MorganWallen!!" wrote one. "Been sitting in this stadium for 3 hrs and he just announced the show is cancelled!!! COMPLETE BULLS–T!!!" At press time it did not appear that Wallen had posted about the cancellation of the show on his social media accounts. The scotched gig came just days after Wallen laughed off an onstage tumble during his Thursday night gig in Louisville, KY, when fog effects clouded his view and caused him to trip and fall. |
| Annual Ole Miss program recognizes achievements in research, learning, service | |
| The University of Mississippi Division of Diversity and Community Engagement recognized outstanding accomplishments in community-engaged research, learning, service and scholarship Tuesday (April 18) during its annual Celebration of Service. Honors presented included the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Service Award, the Excellence in Community Engagement Award, and the Community Engaged Development Partnership Fund awards. "The amount of work our university does in service to the community each year is truly inspirational," said Castel Swett, the division's director of community engagement. "While it is difficult to capture the totality of the impact, it is an honor to be able to recognize champions who have exemplified a commitment to building and sustaining long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships." |
| Jackson State University president search committee members named | |
 | After holding meetings this week with community members, faculty and students at Jackson State University to voice their passions and concerns for what they want in a new president, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning at its Thursday meeting in Jackson appointed members of a search committee for the JSU President Search. They will begin work on Wednesday. Trustees who will serve on the JSU Board Search Committee: Dr. Steven Cunningham, Chair; he is a board-certified diagnostic radiologist. He is a full partner and current president of Comprehensive Radiology Services, PLLC in Hattiesburg; Dr. Ormella Cummings; she serves as the chief strategy officer for North Mississippi Health Services. She facilitates the evidence-based planning process; Bruce Martin; he was appointed to the board by Gov. Phil Bryant in 2018 to represent the First (Central) Supreme Court District for a term to expire in 2027; Gee Ogletree; he was appointed to the board by Bryant in 2018 to represent the Central Supreme Court District for a term to expire in 2027; and Hal Parker; he was appointed to the board by Bryant in 2012 to represent the First (Central) Supreme Court District. He was reappointed by Gov. Tate Reeves in 2021 for a term to expire in 2030. |
| U. of West Alabama aims to attract students along the Alabama-Mississippi border with new regional scholarship | |
 | The University of West Alabama wants to be the first choice for college among students along the Alabama and Mississippi border. To that end, the school started a plan several months ago that administrators say is helping change some minds. The school recently created the West Alabama Regional Award, a $1,000 scholarship for local students who may be interested in attending UWA. The scholarship is geared towards high school students in certain Black Belt counties in Alabama and other counties in east Mississippi. A student must have a 2.5 GPA or a 17 on their ACT or comparable SAT score to qualify for the award. Additionally, students must live in on of several specific west Alabama or east Mississippi counties to be eligible for that scholarship. "It's a $1000 a year. And its stacked on top of our other scholarships," explained Libba Baker, the University of West Alabama's Director of Undergraduate Admissions. "We want to reward our students in our region and really entice them to come to West Alabama because we know that UWA would be a great fit for them, especially those students that are in rural schools." |
| Secret Service recruiting LSU student-athletes as agents | |
 | The U.S. Secret Service is recruiting new agents and has directed its attention toward LSU student-athletes for fresh talent. As part of the increased focus on cybersecurity in the university's Scholarship First Agenda, LSU has signed a partnership agreement with the Secret Service that will recruit student-athletes into its ranks. "They have, with some training and at least for the protective measures of the Secret Service, the physicality, the athleticism, the team mentality, the discipline and team spirit to be able to work together as part of a group," said Elsa Hahne, LSU strategic research communications director. "That's kind of a given for them already, so it's a great way for them to essentially go into a super interesting career where their skill sets will already be valued and appreciated from the get-go." Student-athletes will be recruited into the Special Agent Talent & Recruitment, or STAR, program that will position them to elected leaders and foreign dignitaries around the world. STAR recruits can also transition into major cyber and financial criminal investigations, qualify for full tuition reimbursement and receive support for their education and professional development goals. Golden Richard, LSU professor of computer science and faculty lead on the university's cybersecurity initiative, said working together benefits the Secret Service by pairing ambitious students with experienced agents in cyber crimes. |
| University System leaders update stance on academic freedoms on Georgia college campuses | |
 | The University System of Georgia Board of Regents on Wednesday approved a statement of principles on academic freedom and freedom of expression, a move meant to clarify USG's stance after a 2021 decision on tenure protection for faculty led to outrage from the American Association of University Professors and many members of the public. The principles approved by the Board of Regents included all three points from the 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom from the American Association of University Professors, which outlines freedom for teachers in their research, instruction, and public interactions, as well as expectations for how professors will use this freedom. The Regents adoption of the AAUP statement comes after the faculty organization censured the university system over the tenure protection changes -- the first time such a step had been taken against a public university system in 44 years. "Higher education is a place where people -- young people particularly -- come to realize that not everybody brings their same life perspective," USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said in a press release announcing the new principles. "We want people to feel free to be expressive with their First Amendment rights on our campuses without being shouted down or called out as a matter of mutual respect and civil discourse." |
| UF continues searches for directors, deans and provost | |
| Over the past year, UF has found itself in a period of transition, including a new president appointed in February, the search for a new provost beginning in the Spring, a new UF Honors Program director to be announced within the next month and searches for a new dean of the Levin College of Law and Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. As UF finds itself at the center of controversies and discussions on what education in the state should look like, how the university decides to fill these positions will indicate the direction of Florida's flagship university for years to come. Provost Joe Glover announced Jan. 27 he'd step down after nearly 15 years in the position. He'll remain at the university as a senior adviser to UF President Ben Sasse. The provost search committee is collecting faculty and student opinions on goals and priorities for the position. Community members who attended the April 18 and April 21 online meetings mentioned academic freedom, support for students and UF-to-Gainesville connection as top priorities for the incoming provost. Once it has gathered information, the search committee will look for candidates and conduct interviews. The new provost should be named by late summer, a search committee member said in the meeting April 21. |
| Former Texas A&M WR turned businessman Terrence Murphy tutors youth with life-oriented camp | |
 | Former Texas A&M and NFL wide receiver Terrence Murphy mastered Xs and Os at a young age, but life taught him it takes character and savvy to build financial success. That's why Murphy started a different kind of football camp. Almost 400 youth attended the third annual Terrence Murphy Camp at Brazos Christian on Saturday. It's unique in that it's free and stresses what Murphy calls the three big Fs -- football, finance and faith. Murphy, luckily, mastered all three. Murphy had a stellar career at A&M as the former quarterback moved to wide receiver and set several school records. He was good enough to be taken in the second round of the 2005 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers, but Murphy suffered a career-ending injury his rookie season. Football was over, but his life was just beginning. Murphy became highly successful in real estate. He has personally closed more than 60 deals each worth more than a $1 million. Murphy's camps are his way of giving back to those who helped him, while also equipping youth to make the right choices. "Aggieland has given me a lot," Murphy said. "I came here as an 18-year-old, two-star quarterback, and I left as a so-called receiver and legend. But even then, I wasn't a man yet. I had to go experience the NFL and come back." He's been busy since his return. Murphy's company TM5 received the Aggie 100 Award from the Mays Business School in 2015, 2016 and 2018 as one of the fastest growing Aggie owned and Aggie operated companies in the world. |
| U. of Missouri System curators approve capital improvement plan for MU | |
 | The UM System Board of Curators laid the groundwork for significant capital improvement projects on the MU campus during a Thursday meeting at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. The curators voted to approve a capital improvement plan that includes a number of renovation and new facility projects at MU. The vote allows the university to hire architects to create designs for the projects but does not approve a budget for any of them. A major project included in the plan is the construction of a new nuclear research reactor, called NextGen MURR. The first phase of the new MURR is estimated to cost $36 million, but according to the curators' April meeting documents, the total project is expected to cost close to $1 billion and construction is expected to last eight to 10 years. The curators also passed a motion approving a voluntary terminated vested buyout program related to pensions. This will give some former employees the opportunity to receive their pension payment as a single lump sum rather than continuing to get regular payments long-term. The buyout offer will be available to former employees who have not reached retirement status and not yet begun drawing upon their pensions. It will not apply to current employees or retirees with pensions from the university. This would allow those eligible to "gain control of their own investment decisions," according to meeting documents, so they could then re-invest or consolidate the benefit with their current plan. "During this one-time offer, an increase will be applied to the lump sum benefit," reads a program proposal included in the curators' meeting agenda. |
| Tenured Purdue professor's salary cut to $0, math professors say | |
 | Math professor Harold Donnelly is still listed on Purdue University's website -- but fellow math professors have shared something odd about his salary. It's $0, after the university began reducing it in fall 2021, according to emails these professors provided. "I have carefully considered your career of contributions to mathematics and to our department, college and university," says a July 2021 email from a math department head, whose name is redacted, about the first salary slash, a 20 percent cut. Irena Swanson, who was the department head then and now, didn't return requests for comment Friday. "Those contributions are well-documented and beyond dispute," the email said. "Still, I must also take into account your most recent effort in the areas of teaching, research and service as I consider how to allocate the scarce merit pay resources our department receives. I also took into account your teaching in the spring, and your subsequent unsatisfactory completion of the communicated conditions to teach in the fall." Later, in early 2022, the department head wrote that "For more than a year, the Department of Mathematics and the College of Science have warned you that your failure to meaningfully prepare for and adequately deliver instruction could result in disciplinary sanction. We have provided helpful resources and feedback to you, which you have largely ignored." |
| A University's New Approach to Student Mental Health: Put Therapists in the Dorms | |
 | Regina Ray's commute to work as a mental-health counselor at Virginia Tech is a three-minute walk. Ray isn't your typical campus therapist: She's an embedded counselor in the university's residence halls. "Living around your clients" does make for a unique experience, she said. "Having to give that disclaimer has been very interesting, especially when I'm like, 'Hey, by the way, we do live on campus, so you may see us.'" Hiring embedded counselors like Ray had a two-fold purpose for Virginia Tech. Administrators wanted to make it easier for students to access mental-health services. They also wanted to take some pressure off resident assistants, or RAs, in responding to their peers' mental-health crises. In recent years, RAs have increasingly tended to students' complex psychological issues late at night when other resources are unavailable, even though they lack professional training. At Virginia Tech, the majority of the 10,000 students who live on campus are first-year undergraduates in the midst of transitioning to college -- a stressful time when mental-health concerns often surface. In the fall of 2021, Virginia Tech reorganized its residential-life program to focus more closely on student well-being and to incorporate other departments in student affairs, including the counseling center and living-learning programs. The overhaul included reimagining the RA role as "residential well-being student leaders." Instead of being assigned halls within a dorm, student leaders were organized into trios serving between 110 and 150 students. |
| At U.Va., an Alumnus Attacked Diversity Programs. Now He Is on the Board. | |
 | Bert Ellis, with two degrees from the University of Virginia, is a loyal alumnus. He has donated more than $10 million to his alma mater, and even co-owns a campus hangout, the Spot. But he thinks the university is headed in the wrong direction. He objects to its emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion programs -- saying the university is already diverse. And he loathes the university's recent portrayal of its founder, and his hero, Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Ellis co-founded a dissident alumni group, the Jefferson Council. And when Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, was elected governor of Virginia in 2021, largely on a pledge to overhaul education, Mr. Ellis saw an opening. "This is our only opportunity to change/reverse the path to Wokeness that has overtaken our entire university," he wrote in a post for the Jefferson Council. Now Mr. Ellis, 69, is on the university's board of trustees, appointed recently by Governor Youngkin. Mr. Ellis is part of a growing and forceful movement fighting campus programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion, known as D.E.I. Politicians, activists and alumni who oppose the programs say they enforce groupthink, establish arbitrary diversity goals, lower standards and waste money that could go to scholarships. Lawmakers in 19 states have taken up legislation to limit or block university D.E.I. programs. |
| At many HBCUs, just 1 in 3 students are men. Here's why that matters. | |
 | There's a dearth of men at many of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities. Whether it's sociology at Claflin University or media law at North Carolina Central University, sometimes there are few to no men in the classes. The faces of the marching bands at places like Howard University are overwhelmingly female. And at Xavier University of Louisiana, all of the male freshmen fit into just one dorm. The university has two, larger dorms for women. Those are symptoms of a broader problem: At many of the nation's HBCUs, just 1 in 3 undergraduate students are men. It's true at some of the largest public institutions, including Texas Southern University, and some of the most-selective private ones, such as Howard University. And, it is happening even as overall enrollment numbers at some HBCUs are rising. Howard, for example, has gained more than 3,000 students since 2016. But of those additional students just 1 in 6 have been male. To be sure, the problem affects more than just HBCUs. Overall, Black student enrollment across higher education has been declining. But it's particularly evident at historically Black institutions, which are specifically committed to educating Black people. HBCUs educate most of the nation's Black engineers, lawyers and judges. Fewer men in these programs means that the diversity of the professions will suffer and that the racial wealth gap will grow. |
| To help students, some colleges provide double the teachers | |
| Terrica Purvis squinted through goggles as her hands carefully guided a pipette full of indigo-tinted fluid into clear glass test tubes. It was the last chemistry lab of the winter quarter at Everett Community College. Purvis was working through the steps of what chemistry professor Valerie Mosser jokingly refers to as the "post-apocalypse survival" lab -- an experiment using boiled red cabbage water to test the acidity of common household chemicals. Purvis, 27, is in her first year of study for an associate degree in nursing at Everett Community College. She is also one of more than 6,000 Washington community and technical college students enrolled in the state's Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) program. Students who need extra help in subjects such as algebra struggle to learn if the content is taught in an abstract way, educators say. So I-BEST programs feature two teachers in the classroom: One provides job training and the other teaches basic skills in reading, math or English language. Nationally, two-year community colleges have the worst completion rates in higher education, with only slightly more than 40% earning degrees within six years. In Washington state, students in the program graduate at a higher rate. |
| Enrollment declines threaten the economic futures of college towns | |
| The University of Arizona's undergraduate enrollment has increased in recent years, bucking the declines experienced by many colleges throughout the U.S. For the Tucson region, the university's home, that upward trend is key. Higher education institutions are "the most important" element to the economic life of Arizona cities and towns, said Michael Guymon, president and CEO of the Tucson Metro Chamber. "The University of Arizona is the greatest economic asset that we have in the region," he said. The area also hosts Arizona State University facilities, Pima Community College and various trade schools. Those institutions are "extremely important for us to provide much-needed postsecondary education to develop the skills needed for companies to hire the right people and ultimately to succeed," Guymon said. Enrollment at colleges and universities throughout the U.S. has dropped significantly in recent years, a trend worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. And enrollment could continue to drop 5% to 10% a year in the near future, according to Clive Belfield, a professor of education and labor economics at Queens College, part of the City University of New York. The U.S. is experiencing a declining college-aged population, while rising college costs, student loan debt and a reasonably attractive labor market have prompted some prospective students to avoid higher ed, Belfield said. These college closures and the declining enrollment can have major ramifications for cities and towns that rely on the vast economic benefits that higher education provides. |
| Student loan servicers brace for trouble with restart of payments | |
 | Student loan servicers are in a tough bind, dealing with reduced staff as they prepare for the unprecedented situation of 44 million borrowers returning to payments later this summer. Student loan payments are expected to restart at the end of August at the latest, including for many borrowers who graduated during the pandemic and have never made such payments before. "I think the real challenge is the resource constraint, right? That's really on the customer service side," said Scott Buchanan, executive director for Student Loan Servicing Alliance (SLSA). "Systemically, we can handle this, but that customer service component is going to be constrained, and that's because the [Education] Department has continued to make cuts to the customer service funding for student loan servicers." SLSA is a nonprofit trade association that works on student loan servicing issues. It says its members, which include federal student loan servicers Aidvantage and Edfinanical Services, are "responsible for servicing over 95% of all federal student loans and the vast majority of private loans." The lack of money for customer service in the industry can potentially be traced back to a denial of increased funding for the Federal Student Aid (FSA) office by Congress last year. |
| What will the end of the pause on student loan payments mean for retailers? | |
| This economy is looking a little more complicated for some retailers. Another factor that will soon be in the mix? Student debt. More than three years ago, the federal government said the 45 million borrowers with federal student loan debt could pause paying it back. And many borrowers put those loan payments on hold, instead saving or spending the money. Some of the beneficiaries: retailers that had things they wanted to buy. The student loan pause is set to end later this year. While that will of course have ramifications for the individual borrowers, it'll also impact the places where they shop. Before the government paused her payments, 38-year-old Kate Campbell had been shelling out about $700 a month on debt she accrued while getting her MBA."Yeah," she said, laughing. "A lot." Back in 2017, the Federal Reserve estimated the average monthly student loan payment was $393. When Campbell could stop payments in March 2020, she did so and was able to save some of that money. She also spent some. There are other things she would buy, but she's holding off because she knows debt payments are scheduled to resume. That may be true for other borrowers too, said Simon Moore, an independent financial consultant. "The more discretionary choices that people make may come under a little bit more pressure," he said. That'll affect all the businesses where borrowers have been choosing to spend. "Everything ranging from Tesla to your local bistro," said Constantine Yannelis, a professor of finance at the University of Chicago. |
| Companies Pay Down Workers' Student Debt as Supreme Court Weighs Forgiveness | |
| More workers are turning to their employers' benefits to pay down their student loans. Companies big and small are adopting and expanding debt-repayment benefits for employees, many of whom will be required to restart loan payments later this year after a lengthy pandemic pause. The trend is a new twist on the old tuition assistance benefit, human-resources leaders said. Instead of offering to help fund a master's or other advanced degree, many employers find that professionals in their 20s, 30s and 40s need help paying down the debt they accumulated for their undergraduate studies. The benefit, which can be tax-exempt up to $5,250, is directed toward loan payment and is also proving to be an effective way to recruit and retain talent, HR leaders said. Two-thirds of nearly 2,900 employees surveyed by MetLife Inc. said they worry about paying down debt, including student and credit-card debt, and half of Gen Z and younger millennial respondents said help paying down student loans is a "must have" benefit at work. In Massachusetts, job seekers have had their pick of roles in biotech, said John Grossman, head of human resources at Visterra Inc., which employs about 100 people and this year began offering $100 a month toward full-time workers' student debt. What's attractive to the highly skilled people Mr. Grossman is trying to recruit has shifted since 2020. Back then, he said, mental-health perks such as free visits with a mental-health professional were top of mind, as millions of workers navigated working from home. Direct financial benefits hold broader appeal now as higher costs weigh on workers' minds. |
| Legislators leave money on table, opting to leave needs unmet | |
| Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison writes: Based on the budget passed hurriedly and with barely any debate in late March during the final days of the 2023 session, legislators apparently were saying all of the state's problems had been solved. ... Empirical evidence does not bear out those statements. Compared to other states, Mississippi continues to have the highest infant mortality rate, shortest life expectancy, one of the lowest work force participation rates (a fewer percentage of eligible people working) and highest homicide rate. ... Despite all these problems, legislators left money on the table -- probably close to $1 billion. That is right -- the Legislature had another $1 billion to address the state's needs. Never in the history of the state has that much available revenue been left knowingly unspent. |
| Sub-prime credit scores linked to poor health | |
| Syndicated columnist Bill Crawford writes: It's probably no surprise that the nation's poorest state has the nation's highest rate of sub-prime credit scores. But the reason why may be worth considering. A 2022 study by the Urban Institute showed that 30% of Mississippians had sub-prime credit scores, the highest percentage among all the states. In comparison, Mississippi's neighboring states had these sub-prime percentages -- Alabama and Louisiana 29%, Arkansas 28%, and Tennessee 25%. The national average was 20%. Nationally as well as in Mississippi, the percentages of sub-prime credit scores for majority black communities was nearly double that of majority white communities. "Why does the South have such ugly credit scores?" was the topic of a Washington Post analysis in February. Author Andrew Van Dam tracked the problem to medical debt. "Medical debt may not be the only force behind the South's credit struggles, but it appears to be a key contributor," he wrote. "So where did it all come from? And why is it concentrated in the South?" His research found that "those in the South are substantially more likely to suffer from four or more chronic conditions. And poor health tends to go hand in hand with people having overdue medical debt and poor credit scores." Mississippi certainly fits that bill. Top chronic conditions in Mississippi are high cholesterol, hypertension, arthritis, mental illness, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Forbes Advisor reported the state ranked in the bottom two positions for mortality rates for hypertension, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and kidney disease. |
SPORTS
| Gobblers attracting more than hens this spring | |
| A long chirp comes from Parker Stubbs' turkey pot call. In the distance, a gobble returns the message. Stubbs sits low and waits for two hours, trying a few more times in vain to draw his prey within range of his 20-gauge shotgun Friday morning at the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. He walks away empty-handed. "You have to remember, he has been hunted daily since March," Stubbs said. "I've been hunting him for weeks, but he just stopped gobbling after a while." Stubbs is one of more than 59,000 wild turkey hunters in Mississippi this season, which started in mid-March and runs until May 1. Adam Butler, turkey program coordinator with Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, told The Dispatch turkey hunting has become more popular even with out-of-staters. Daryl Jones, an MSU natural resource, wildlife enterprises and habitat management Extension professor, said the Golden Triangle has some of the best habitat for wild turkeys, which need large swaths of hardwood, oak and pine trees to provide the bulk of their vegetation, while also providing the right conditions for the small reptiles, frogs and insects it likes to eat in the spring. "This is a better area in the state because of the acreage of diverse forest types," he said. "Turkeys feed on hard mass and soft matter like acorns and hickory nuts. In particular, it's the acorns." |
| Frommer joins Dispatch to cover MSU athletics | |
| Justin Frommer has joined The Dispatch staff as its beat reporter for Mississippi State athletics. In this role, he will primarily provide comprehensive coverage of Bulldog athletics --- from game stories and analysis to profiles, enterprise and other human interest stories. His first day was Monday. A native of West Bloomfield, Michigan, Frommer came to The Dispatch from The South Bend Tribune in South Bend, Indiana, where he covered Notre Dame football and high school sports. Prior to that, he worked for The Stockton Record in California, covering high schools, University of Pacific athletics and the city's minor league baseball, basketball and hockey teams. Frommer graduated from Michigan State University in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in journalism and is an avid fan of Detroit's professional sports teams. Still, his "passion" is college sports. "Ever since my freshman year at Michigan State when I had a chance to sit in the press box for a football game against Northwestern, I have chased this dream to be a full-time college sports beat writer," Frommer said. "Covering an SEC program is the creme de la creme. I plan on becoming the go-to source for Mississippi State athletics information during my time at The Dispatch," he added. |
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