Less than a month remains until the University of Missouri-Rolla launches
its new name, blasting into 2008 as Missouri University of Science and
Technology.

On Jan. 1, UMR will officially become Missouri University of Science and
Technology, or Missouri S&T. The change was proposed last fall by
Chancellor John F. Carney III in an effort to help define the university’s role
as a leading technological research institution.

“The University of Missouri-Rolla is unique among the four University of
Missouri campuses because of our focus as a technological research
institution,” Carney said at the time. “We believe a more distinctive name
would afford UMR several advantages in recruiting students on a national
level.”

The name change was unanimously approved April 6 by the University of
Missouri Board of Curators, and as January approaches, exciting transformations
are taking place.

September saw the unveiling of a Missouri S&T logo, which features a
unique pickaxe symbol in the ampersand – paying tribute the university’s
founding as the University of Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy.

Another nod to the university’s rich history can be found in the new name
selected for the MSM-UMR Alumni Association, which will be known as the Miner
Alumni Association.

The university’s new domain name will be changed to mst.edu as well.

Already, public radio station KUMR has changed it’s call letters to KMST –
reflecting the station’s ongoing relationship with the university – and
Missouri S&T apparel is available at the campus bookstore.

Finally, as the transformation to Missouri S&T takes place, the campus
community is invited to be a part of showing the public what a wonderful place
the university is to learn and work.

At hello.mst.edu, students, alumni,
faculty and staff are encouraged to post homemade videos introducing them to
the online community. The videos can be as simple or elaborate as the creators
wish, and the only requirement is they include the phrase, “I Am Missouri
S&T” or “We Are Missouri S&T” for student groups, departments and other
organizations.

Background information on the name change also is contained on the site.

The latest information on the campus’ transformation to Missouri University
of Science and Technology, also can be found at namechange.mst.edu.