Contact: Allison Matthews

STARKVILLE, Miss.—The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is continuing its support of Mississippi State as the university builds on a culture of healthy habits on campus, in the local community and in local schools. A new $256,649 grant has been awarded to the university’s “MSU on the Move” initiative to expand and create nutrition and exercise programs for a healthier culture.

Joyce Yates, MSU director of health education and wellness, said the university has been promoting an environment that embraces and emphasizes healthy lifestyles for several years. Previous support from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation provided for a one-mile walking track around Chadwick Lake, which was completed in 2013. Healthful programming has encouraged participants to “know their numbers” by taking part in health screenings.

Yates said the new award will support efforts to enhance physical fitness, with plans for new outdoor exercise equipment at the track. Expanded nutritional information will give weekly tips at campus dining locations, and a “Healthy Heroes” program will continue to recognize and reward students, faculty, staff and administrators for being role models of health and wellness.

Additional grant programming objectives include support of “Youth Dawgs” summer camp, exercise challenges, a new smart phone app for physical activity challenges, MyPlate resources and nutritional counseling, as well as smoking cessation classes and support groups.

“The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is pleased to continue its support of Mississippi State University as it enhances its wellness initiatives,” said Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation Executive Director Sheila Grogan. “MSU has utilized every resource available to create one of the most innovative and comprehensive campus programs in the state which will continue to positively impact the campus and the community as a whole.”

Yates said informing people about how to make healthy choices, in combination with making healthy options available, has made an impact on campus. MSU on the Move coordinators also want to expand that impact into the Starkville community, including the local schools.

“We want to introduce children to fruits and vegetables that are new to them and teach the importance of choosing snacks that have higher nutritional values,” Yates explained.

A fruit cart will provide samples and nutrition information in the local public schools, she said, with an additional cart dedicated to on-campus use. “We also want to show the value of fruit as a snack to college-age students and encourage them to eat fruit as a replacement for sugary, non-nutritional snacks,” she said.

For faculty and staff members, Yates said the grant offers some exciting opportunities to increase physical fitness, including the availability of some standing desks and exercise equipment to be placed under desks in offices. Faculty and staff members who benefit from these provisions must agree to take part in pre- and post- health assessments.

Yates said the university and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation representatives will introduce the new initiatives to MSU students at the beginning of the fall semester in a celebration ceremony before “The Drill,” a popular event held on the first day of classes. A formal check presentation to the university will take place during a fall semester football game.

Students will be eligible to earn incentives, such as t-shirts, Fitbits, and Swell bottles, throughout the year to reward those who choose to make even small changes toward a healthier lifestyle.

The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is committed to supporting Mississippi’s universities and colleges in implementing healthy eating and exercise initiatives that extend from the campus to the local communities and schools. Learn more about the work of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation at www.healthiermississippi.org.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.