Notable Alumni of the Missouri University of Science and Technology

The Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), a public research university in Rolla, Missouri, has a long and distinguished history of producing leaders and innovators in various fields. As a member institution of the University of Missouri System, Missouri S&T has been primarily known for its engineering school, but it also offers degree programs in business and management systems, information science and technology, sciences, social sciences, humanities, and arts. This article highlights some of the most notable alumni who have made significant contributions to society.

Historical Context and Evolution of Missouri S&T

Founded in 1870 as the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (MSM), Missouri S&T holds the distinction of being the first technological learning institution west of the Mississippi River. Its establishment was made possible by the Morrill Land-Grant Acts of 1862, which facilitated the creation of engineering and agricultural education programs across the United States. Initially focused on mining and metallurgy, the school expanded its curriculum over the years to include a wide range of science and engineering disciplines, as well as social sciences and liberal arts.

The university's name has evolved to reflect its changing mission and scope. In 1964, MSM became the University of Missouri at Rolla, and in 2008, it adopted its current name, Missouri University of Science and Technology, to better represent its distinctive nature as a technological research university.

Prominent Alumni in Science and Engineering

Missouri S&T has produced numerous alumni who have made significant contributions to the fields of science and engineering. These individuals have pushed the boundaries of knowledge and innovation, leaving a lasting impact on society.

Farouk El-Baz: Space Scientist and Geologist

Farouk El-Baz is an Egyptian American space scientist and geologist who played a key role in the Apollo program. He worked with NASA in the scientific exploration of the Moon and the planning of the Apollo missions. As a leading geologist on the program, he was responsible for studying the geology of the Moon, selecting landing sites for the Apollo missions, and training astronauts in lunar observations and photography. El-Baz also conceived the idea of touchable Moon rocks at museums, inspired by his childhood pilgrimage to Mecca.

George Edwin Mueller: NASA Administrator

George Edwin Mueller, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering in 1939, was an associate administrator at NASA, heading the Office of Manned Space Flight from 1963 to 1969. He was instrumental in introducing the all-up testing philosophy for the Saturn V launch vehicle, which ensured the success of the Apollo program in landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth by the end of 1969. Mueller also played a key part in the design of Skylab and championed the Space Shuttle's development.

Sandra Hall Magnus: NASA Astronaut

Sandra Hall Magnus is an American engineer and former NASA astronaut. She flew to space three times, as a mission specialist on STS-112, as an ISS crewmember during Expedition 18, and as a mission specialist on STS-135. She is also a licensed amateur radio operator. From 2012 until 2018, Magnus was the executive director of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Janet L. Kavandi: NASA Astronaut and Center Director

Janet Lynn Kavandi, a native of Carthage, Missouri, is an American scientist and a NASA astronaut. She is a veteran of three Space Shuttle missions, served as NASA's deputy chief of the Astronaut Office, and was the center director at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, from March 2016 until her retirement from NASA in September 2019. She was inducted into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2019.

Thomas Akers: NASA Astronaut

Thomas Dale Akers is a former American astronaut in NASA's Space Shuttle program.

Mervin Joseph Kelly: Industrial Physicist

Mervin Joseph Kelly was an American industrial physicist who worked at Bell Labs from 1925 to 1959, holding positions such as director of research, president, and chairman of the board of directors.

Daniel Cowan Jackling: Mining and Metallurgical Engineer

Daniel Cowan Jackling was an American mining and metallurgical engineer who pioneered the exploitation of low-grade porphyry copper ores at the Bingham Canyon Mine, Utah.

Mack Alfred Breazeale: Physicist

Mack Alfred Breazeale was an American physicist known for his work in ultrasonics and physical acoustics. He was a distinguished research professor and senior scientist at the National Center for Physical Acoustics at the University of Mississippi.

Clyde Lorrain Cowan Jr: Physicist

Clyde Lorrain Cowan Jr was an American physicist and the co-discoverer of the neutrino along with Frederick Reines. The discovery was made in 1956. Reines received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1995.

Terry Benton Bollinger: Computer Scientist

Terry Benton Bollinger is an American computer scientist who works at the MITRE Corporation. He is known for his work on free and open-source software (FOSS) and its importance to the United States Department of Defense (DoD).

Notable Alumni in Politics and Public Service

Missouri S&T has also produced a number of alumni who have distinguished themselves in the fields of politics and public service. These individuals have served in various government positions, shaping policy and contributing to the well-being of their communities and the nation.

Aruna Miller: Lieutenant Governor of Maryland

Aruna Miller is an American politician and civil engineer who has been serving as the tenth lieutenant governor of Maryland since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Miller previously served in the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Legislative District 15 in Montgomery County.

Jay Ashcroft: Missouri Secretary of State

John Robert "Jay" Ashcroft is an American attorney and politician who served as the 40th Secretary of State of Missouri from 2017 to 2025. He is the son of former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.

Nicole Galloway: Missouri State Auditor

Nicole Marie Galloway is an American accountant and politician who served as the state auditor of Missouri from 2015 to 2023. She was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Missouri in the 2020 election.

Stephanie O'Sullivan: Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence

Stephanie O'Sullivan is a former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI) who was appointed to that position on February 18, 2011. Prior to serving as PDDNI, she served as a senior leader at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Joe N. Ballard: Chief of Engineers

Joe N. Ballard, an Army officer who fought in the Vietnam War, served as Chief of Engineers, the first African-American to serve in this role.

Mark C. Quander: Major General

Mark Christopher Quander is a United States Army major general who serves as the commanding general of the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division since June 30, 2023. He previously served as the 79th Commandant of Cadets of the United States Military Academy from May 2021 to June 2023.

Brett Gareth Sylvia: Major General

Brett Gareth Sylvia is a United States Army major general who serves as the commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell. He previously served as the vice director for strategy, plans, and policy of the Joint Staff.

Glenn J. Lesniak: Major General

Glenn Jeffrey Lesniak is a retired major general who served as deputy commanding general for support of the United States Army Reserve.

Stephen M. Bliss: Brigadier General

Brigadier General Stephen Michael Bliss is a retired United States Army general who served as the president of the Army and Navy Academy and president of the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States.

Edward S. Fris: Lieutenant General

Edward Steve Fris was a lieutenant general in the United States Marine Corps. He served as the Director of Aviation, Headquarters Marine Corps.

Arthur P. Murphy: U.S. Representative

Arthur P. Murphy was a U.S. Representative from Missouri.

Ed Emery: Missouri State Senator

Edgar Glenn Harvey Emery was an American businessman, engineer, and politician who served as a member of the Missouri Senate, representing parts of southwestern Missouri.

G. Willard Jenkins: Iowa State Representative

G. Willard Jenkins is an American politician in the state of Iowa.

Lisa Jaster: Lieutenant Colonel

Lisa Jaster is a United States Army Reserve lieutenant colonel and engineer officer who was the first female reserve soldier to graduate from the Army's Ranger School.

Alumni in Business and Entrepreneurship

Missouri S&T alumni have also made significant strides in the world of business and entrepreneurship, founding successful companies and leading major corporations.

Jack Dorsey: Co-founder of Twitter and Square

Jack Dorsey is an American computer programmer and internet entrepreneur who co-founded Twitter and Square (now Block, Inc.). He is also the founder of Bluesky.

Gary White: CEO and Co-founder of Water.org

Gary White is the CEO and co-founder of Water.org, an organization dedicated to providing access to safe water and sanitation in developing countries.

Thomas Voss: President and CEO of Ameren Corp.

Thomas (Tom) Voss started his career at Union Electric and worked his way up to become the President and CEO of Ameren Corp.

Ted Weise: President and CEO of Federal Express Corp.

Ted Weise is a retired president and chief executive officer of Federal Express Corp.

Dave West: Entrepreneur

After graduating from UMR in 1969, Dave West held engineering and operations management positions at Motorola Communications, King Radio, and Varian Associates. An entrepreneur, Dave has founded four startup companies in Silicon Valley: CPI, Spectrian, Wherenet, and Cool Dry.

Alumni in Arts, Humanities and Athletics

Missouri S&T alumni have also found success in a variety of other fields, including arts, humanities, and athletics.

Bruce L. Edwards: Professor of English and Africana Studies

Bruce L. Edwards was professor emeritus of English and Africana Studies and Associate Vice President for Online Programs and E-learning Services at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. He was a leading authority on C. S. Lewis.

John Asher Johnson: Astrophysicist and Professor of Astronomy

John Asher Johnson is an American astrophysicist and professor of astronomy at Harvard. He is the first tenured African-American physical science professor in the history of the university.

Greg Raymer: Poker Player

Gregory Raymer, nicknamed "Fossilman," is a professional poker player and author. He is best known for winning the 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event.

Tyrone Smith: Long Jumper

Tyrone Smith is a professional Bermudian-born long jumper.

Marv Breuer: Baseball Player

Marvin Howard "Baby Face" Breuer was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the New York Yankees from 1939 to 1943.

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