Nine University of Missouri-Rolla employees were honored Wednesday, June 2, for their contributions to the campus during UMR Staff Recognition Day ceremonies on campus.

To coincide with the 60th anniversary of D-Day and the Normandy invasion during World War II, UMR military historian Dr. John C. McManus has published a unique new book that examines the battle from the American perspective.

UMR will receive more than $800,000 over the next three years to fund six Ph.D. fellowships for students to conduct research in materials engineering.

Students from UMR placed first with their champion sun-powered car, Solar Miner IV, at the Formula Sun Grand Prix, a solar car race held May 16-22 in Topeka, Kan.

Beginning in June, the main entrance to the University of Missouri-Rolla campus from U.S. Interstate 44 will receive a much-needed facelift. In partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), UMR plans to improve traffic flow and beautify the landscaping along University Drive, formerly known as 14th Street, adjacent to campus.

Dr. John C. McManus, assistant professor history at the University of Missouri-Rolla, recently received the W.E. and Peggy Wiggins Faculty Excellence Award. This is a new award in the UMR history department.

Bill Bleckman director of university police at UMR was awarded the "Patriotic Employer" award by The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve on May 18.

Dr. Hank Pernicka, associate professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla, is one of nine U.S. researchers selected to participate in this year’s Boeing A.D. Welliver Faculty Summer Fellowship program.