History of the University

Founded in 1870 as Missouri School of Mines, the university was a product of the land-grant movement of the late nineteenth century. MSM primarily educated mining engineers and surveyors. As a campus of the University of Missouri system, university President Daniel Reed stated MSM’s purpose as “a school of both science and of its applications; its purpose is to teach knowledge and art—first to know and then to do, and to do in the best manner."

The university expanded slowly in the first fifty years. At the close of the second World War, as need for engineering and scientific education grew so did enrollment at MSM. Advanced graduate education and research began to assume greater emphasis during the 1950’s as the School of Mines and Metallurgy evolved into a world-class technological research university – one whose impact reached beyond the state and the nation.

In 1964, recognizing its expanded nature, the institution’s name was changed to the University of Missouri-Rolla. UMR, as it quickly came to be called, was the technology flagship of a reorganized four-campus University of Missouri system.

For nearly a century and a half, Missouri S&T has been a national leader in equipping students to lead a global transition from an industrial to an information economy. The institution has continued to evolve, and on January 1, 2008 it's name transitioned to Missouri University of Science and Technology, or Missouri S&T for short. This new name will better define the university as a leading technological institution and define its identity in the University of Missouri system.

Drawing students from all fifty states and sixty countries around the world, Missouri S&T continues to focus on preparing students to use their innovative skills and strong work ethic to improve the lives of people both in America and around the globe.

A Technological University

As a technological university, Missouri S&T is a member of a small but elite group of American universities. Technological universities distinguish themselves by having a mission-based commitment to improving the world through the study and application of advanced science and technology. Today's prestigious technological universities have a reputation for providing superior education and robust research programs in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics. Typically, over 50% of their students are studying these fields.

By this definition, approximately sixteen technological universities exist in America, including the likes of MIT, Caltech, IIT, Missouri S&T, Rensselaer, Georgia Tech and the Colorado School of Mines. Drawing the country’s most talented students, many technological universities are renowned for strong offerings in the humanities, liberal arts and social sciences which complement and provide context to the technological strengths of the institutions.

Saint Patrick's Celebration

When the streets, the food and even the people turn green, it's St. Patrick's Day in Rolla! On March 17, 1908 a vote of the student body declared a holiday and cancelled classes, despite obvious opposition from faculty. That morning, St. Pat arrived in his chariot at Grand Central Station to kick off the festivities, a tradition that continues today. After greeting a crowd armed with shillelaghs and green sashes, St. Pat heads to campus to honor outstanding students and faculty and crown his Queen of Love and Beauty.

Every March, a festive atmosphere takes over the town, attracting huge crowds to games, concerts, dances and the coronation ceremony. The celebration culminates in the annual parade down Pine Street, which loyal alumni paint green for the occasion.