Missouri S&T History

On November 23, 1871, the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy opened in Rolla. It was one of the first universities in the country to specialize in technology and engineering thanks in large part to the Morrill Act of 1862. The college was designed around sciences, especially mining, due to the large industrial needs in Missouri at the time. Today, it is called Missouri S&T and is still one of the top engineering universities in the United States.

The Name Changes

The institution changed its name to reflect that role as the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) in 1964. The school changed names again in 2008 to Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) to showcase its top tier ranking once again as a technological institution that has produced many NASA astronauts, brilliant nuclear scientists, physicists, and computer scientists.

Missouri S&T Today

The university offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple disciplines, including engineering, applied sciences, business, humanities, and the arts. Missouri S&T is recognized for its research contributions and collaboration with industries.

The campus is known for its strong engineering programs and has a reputation for producing graduates who excel in their respective fields. Additionally, the university is involved in various research initiatives and projects that contribute to advancements in technology and innovation.

Stats

• Undergraduate enrollment – 5,500
• Total enrollment – 7,000+
• 77% male
• 23% female
• Average SAT is 1250
• #1 Public University in Missouri for Return on Investment (Georgetown Center on Education and Workforce)
• #3 Public University for Best Career Advancement (Princeton Review)
• #7 Best Value College in the United States (Smart Asset)

Famous Alumni

The Astronauts and NASA Personnel

• Thomas Akers 1973 (B.S.), 1975 (M.S.) Astronaut
• Farouk El-Baz 1961 (M.S.), 1964 (Ph.D.) NASA’s Apollo Program
• Ronald Greeley 1966 (Ph.D.) Director of the NASA Planetary Image Facility
• Janet Kavandi 1982 (M.S.) Astronaut
• Sandra Magnus 1986 (B.S.), 1990 (M.S.) Astronaut
• George Mueller 1939 (B.S.) Director of NASA’s Office of Manned Space Flight

Business Leaders:

• Jack Dorsey (Did not graduate) Founder of Twitter
• Thomas Holmes 1950 (B.S.) Business Executive
• Edward Mueller Business Executive
• Dan Obrycki 1983 (B.S.) Disgraced Boeing Executive
• Ellis Short 1983 (B.S.) Private Equity Fund Founder
• Gary White 1985 (B.S.), 1987 (M.S.) CEO of Water.org

Scientists:

• Robert Banks circa 1942 (B.S.) Inventor of crystalline polypropylene and high-density polyethylene. Member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame
• Mack A. Breazeale 1954 (M.S.) Expert in ultrasonics and physical acoustics
• Shi Changxu 1948 (M.S.) Asteroid 28468 Shichangxu is named after him
• Clyde Cowan 1940 (B.S.) Co-discoverer of the neutrino. Nobel Prize in Physics Winner
• Mervin Kelly 1914 (B.S.) Former President of Bell Laboratories
• Scott R. White 1985 (B.S.) Expert in self-healing materials

Government:

• Jay Ashcroft 1996 (B.S.), 1998 (M.S.) Missouri Secretary of State
• Azli Yusof 1990 (B.S.) Member of the Malaysian Parliament
• Héctor Boza 1911 (B.S.) First Vice President of Peru
• Nicole Galloway 2004 (B.S.) Missouri State Auditor
• Aruna Miller 1989 (B.S.) Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
• Stephanie O’Sullivan 1982 (B.S.) Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence
• Yao Leeh-ter 1987 (M.S.) Minister of Education of Taiwan

Athletes and Entertainers:

• Marv Breuer 1935 (B.S.) World Series Pitcher for the New York Yankees
• Aaron Buerge 1997 (B.S.) Star of Season 2 of The Bachelor
• Forrestal Hickman 2015 (B.S.) Offensive lineman for the San Diego Chargers (2015)
• Greg “Fossilman” Raymer 1985 (B.S.) 2004 World Series of Poker Champion
• Tyrone Smith 2006 (B.A.) Bermuda Long jumper in 2012 Summer Olympics
• Dick Thornton 1930 Quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles (1933)
• Tershawn Wharton 2019 Defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs (2020–present)