Missouri University of Science and Technology
| University of Missouri-Rolla | |
| Established | 1870 |
| School type | Public University |
| Chancellor | John F. Carney III |
| Location | Rolla, Missouri, USA |
| Campus | 284 acres (1.15 km²) |
| Enrollment | 5,500 total 4,300 undergraduate 1,200 graduate |
| Faculty | x |
| Colors | White & Gold |
| Mascot | Joe Miner |
| Homepage | www.umr.edu |
The University of Missouri-Rolla (abbreviated UMR) is an institution of higher learning located in Rolla, Missouri and part of the University of Missouri system. Its 5,500 students mostly study engineering and sciences.
History
UMR was originally an MU offshoot called the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (MSM) founded in 1870 as the first technological learning institution west of the Mississippi river. Early in its beginnings, the School of Mines was focused primarily on mining and metallurgy, but by the 1920s, had expanded into civil, electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineering as well as chemistry, physics, mathematics and geology.
A greater emphasis was placed on research and graduate education during the 1950s. In 1964, the School of Mines joined the newly created University of Missouri system as the University of Missouri, Rolla campus. The campus curriculum was expanded to include all the engineering disciplines and liberal arts.
UMR ranks in the top 25 schools in the number of bachelor's degrees awarded in engineering.
Campus highlights
Stonehenge
UMR's Stonehenge is a partial reconstruction of the original Stonehenge monument located on Salisbury Plain, west of London. UMR's version of the ancient structure is located on the northwest corner of campus, and was dedicated on June 20, 1984 during the summer solstice. It features a 50 foot (15 m) diameter ring of 30 stones around a horseshoe of five trilithons through which various sightings of sunrise and sunset can be made. About 160 tons of granite were used to construct the monument. The rock was cut by UMR's waterjet equipment, which used two waterjets cutting at a pressure of 15,000 pounds force per square inch (103 MPa), slicing across the surface just like a conventional saw. The cutter moved at a speed of about 10 feet per minute (50 mm/s) and cut between one-quarter and one-half inch (6 and 13 mm) on each pass.
Millennium Arch
UMR worked with artist Edwina Sandys to develop a new way to make deep cuts in granite, and used the method to create the Millennium Arch sculpture, across the campus from Stonehenge. The Arch is a single trilithon with a vague silhouette of a man and a woman on each of its supporting megaliths several meters from the arch (and can be seen in the distance between the two silhouettes in the image to the left). The monument is located on 10th Street, facing Castleman Hall, in Rolla. The project was developed in the High Pressure Waterjet Laboratory of the Rock Mechanics & Explosive Research Center at UMR.
There are two similar megaliths showing the same silhouette on each side of the sidewalk entrance to the Rock Mechanics & Explosive Research Center.
Student engineering projects
There are many activities, clubs and teams at UMR, but there are several engineering design teams that frequently take the spotlight.
Solar car
UMR's solar car team has met with much recent success. Every two years, the team constructs a sleek single-passenger car lined with solar cells that runs exclusively from solar power. The car's aluminum frame houses lithium ion batteries, which are much lighter than conventional lead-acid batteries. The driver lies on his back to make the car's design more aerodynamic. The car has a joystick instead of a steering wheel to allow the driver to exit the car more quickly. Every time the car is rebuilt, changes make it lighter and more efficient. The team regularly enters solar car races in the United States and occasionally in international races. The car claimed first place in Sunrayce '99, fourth place in the Australian World Solar Challenge in 2001, first place in the 2000 Formula Sun Grand Prix, second place in the 2001 American Solar Challenge, and first place in the 2003 American Solar Challenge.
Formula SAE car
UMR's Formula SAE team constructs a small formula-style race car every year, suitable for mass production and sale to weekend autocrossers. The team competes in Pontiac, Michigan against more than 100 other teams from universities around the world. The vehicle's cost, sales presentation, engineering design, acceleration, braking, and racing performance all factor in to its final score. The team has placed in the top 20 in nine of the past twelve competitions, including third- and fourth-place finishes.
Concrete canoe
UMR's Concrete Canoe Team designs and constructs a canoe out of concrete and races it on a lake in regional and national competitions. The team has participated in concrete canoe competitions since the 1970s. The entire project, including fundraising and construction, is completed by the students. The team took third place in 2004.
Human powered vehicle
The UMR Human Powered Vehicle Team constructs a man-powered land vehicle every year to compete in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' Human Powered Vehicle Challenge. The vehicle, which looks something like a bobsled with bicycle wheels, must be light, highly efficient and powered only by its single occupant.
Student life
Newspaper
The student-run newspaper at UMR is the Missouri Miner, published every Thursday during the school year, and can be read online.
Radio
There are two broadcast radio stations associated with UMR; KUMR and KMNR. KUMR is member-supported public radio, typically playing classical, bluegrass and jazz music, as well as National Public Radio programs. KMNR is a student-run radio station whose music playlist varies with the mood and inclination of the DJ. There is also an amateur radio station, WØEEE.
St. Patrick's Day
The dominant cultural event at UMR is St. Patrick's Day. Every year boasts being the "Best St. Pat's Ever!" During St. Pat's, students wear green sweatshirts (which are sold as fundraisers throughout the season), carry shillelaghs, and party. Alumni members of the St. Pat's Board paint Pine Street green for the parade. One tradition is the killing of rubber snakes (in commemoration of St. Patrick's mythical banishing of snakes from Ireland).
Campus organizations name one graduating senior to be a Student Knight of St. Patrick. In past years, Student Knights were dunked into a green-colored pool of goo known as Alice, effectively dyeing their skin and hair green for several days. Alice was discontinued by the school administration in the mid-nineties due to health concerns (students who had consumed excessive amounts of alcohol tended to urinate in the pool, making it very disgusting).
The rationale for the celebration is that St. Patrick is the patron saint of engineers. Among UMR students, St. Patrick is better reconginzed as an emblem for university than the offical mascot, Joe Miner.