S&T in Photos - January 2026

By Missouri S&T

February 9^th, 2026

January at Missouri S&T began thousands of miles from Rolla, as students embarked on a research journey into the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest — a reflection of the university’s global reach and spirit of discovery. Back on campus, winter arrived with sweeping snowstorms and vivid sunsets that washed the sky in magentas, oranges and deep blues. In a darkened studio, blacklight transformed a yoga class into a glowing canvas of movement, as students flowed through poses in luminous purples and pinks. In labs and arenas, energy continued to build — from researchers testing beet juice as a sustainable deicing solution to athletes delivering dramatic performances in the pool and on the court. Together, these images capture a month defined by contrast, curiosity and moments of unexpected beauty.

A sunset sky, with a gradient from purple at the top to orange at the bottom, behind the top of a modern building. — The sun sets behind Bertlesmeyer Hall. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

A dramatic sunset with very different clouds at the top of the sky compared to the horizon with a modern building in the foreground. — The sun sets behind Bertlesmeyer Hall. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

Pink clouds and a blue sky are behind a variety of buildings including a modern building with ground-to-ceiling windows in the front. — Light from the sunset is reflected in clouds over the Welcome Center, Schrenk Hall and the Chancellor's Residence. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

Students walk through the new pedestrian tunnel that connects residence halls to the main campus during sunset. Blaine Falkena/Missouri S&T

Havener Center building on a snowy campus at sunset. The sky is a mix of purple and orange. — The Havener Center at sunset. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

The windows of a large building, the Havener Center, glow yellow as the sun sets behind it with blue and red in the sky. Snow covers the ground around the building. — The Havener Center offers a place for students to gather, especially on chilly winter nights after a snowstorm earlier in the week. Blaine Falkena/Missouri S&T

Streetlight displays a Missouri S&T banner against a sunset sky. The banner is dark green with white lettering. The sky glows with orange and yellow hues behind silhouetted trees. — A light-pole banner outside the Residential Commons. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

Brick building with lit windows stands against a pink and orange sunset sky. A small tower with a spire rises from the roof. — January provided several stunning sunsets, this one seen behind the new facade and top of the Rolla Building. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

Brick building with lit windows against a vibrant sunset sky. Ornate roof with cross on top. January 2025. — The sky fills with color behind the Rolla Building during a January sunset. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

Brick building with white trim under a vivid pink and purple sunset sky. Windows glow with warm light. — The Rolla Building reflects the sunset in its new windows. Blaine Falkena/Missouri S&T

In January 2025, a man with a glowing blue band around his head stands with hands clasped. Red light shines from a panel to the left, and the room is bathed in purple light.

Woman does plank exercise in dark room with glowing pink wristbands and matching nail polish. Red and blue lights in background.

Four people bend forward in a yoga class, wearing glowing bands on their wrists and heads. The room is lit with purple and red lights.

People in a darkened room raise their arms during a yoga class illuminated by blue and purple lights. An American flag hangs on the back wall. Participants wear glowing bracelets.

Close-up of a man wearing sunglasses, looking down, lit with pink light. Red grid pattern reflected in lenses. — Dr. Joel Burken reviews dishes of seeds and mixtures of beet juice, salt and other deicing agents in an indoor grow chamber. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

A drop of red liquid falls from a dropper into a dish with a colorful and blurred background. — A mixture of beet juice and water is placed into dishes along with seeds to begin testing the effects of different road anti-icing mixtures. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

Gloved hand holds square petri dish with beet seeds against a bright white background. Handwritten label reads — Various grass seeds and solutions are put into dishes where researchers will see how salts and other additives in road deicers, like beet juice, affect the environment. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

Hands hold a clear container with dark seeds in pink liquid against bright pink lights. — Various grass seeds and solutions are put into dishes for researchers to see how salts and other additives in road deicers, like beet juice, affect the environment. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

A gloved had removes a seed from a jar. Cylinders, glass measuring cups and liquids that are different shades of red and brown sit on a black countertop. — Various grass seeds and solutions are put into dishes where researchers see how salts and other additives in road deicers, like beet juice, affect the environment. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

A foreground of snow and sky both glow a soft pink. Two modern buildings fill the center of the frame. The one on the right has an all-glass front that shows a reflection of an orange sunset. — A sunset is reflected in the windows of the new Welcome Center after snow covered campus in January. Blaine Falkena/Missouri S&T

Two female students walk and laugh. The one on the left is wearing a white winter coat and is holding a coffee cup. The one on the right is wearing a brown coat. Campus buildings and snow fill the background. — Students walk from the Havener Center to class after campus reopened following a snowstorm. Blaine Falkena/Missouri S&T

A statue of St. Patrick against a blue sky. Snow fills the foreground. — The statue of St. Patrick. Blaine Falkena/Missouri S&T

Abstract textures form in sparkling snow. Some plants are blurred in the background. — Wind-blown snow creates beautiful textures on Missouri S&T's campus. Blaine Falkena/Missouri S&T

Two students laugh while studying in a booth. A woman in a green sweatshirt sits across from a man in a green jacket. A whiteboard shows equations. A laptop sits open on the table. — Delaney Miller and Emmanuel Djegou discuss the overlap of environmental science and data science. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

Brayden Brockmiller designs a vending machine, silhouetted against a window. He leans over a laptop, holding a stylus. — Brayden Brockmiller works on a design for a vending machine on Jan. 30, 2026, in the Innovation Lab. Blaine Falkena/Missouri S&T

Two women smile while looking at a laptop screen. One woman points at the screen. A textbook titled — Beyza Cetin and Brileigh Cates discuss mathematics in the Innovation Lab. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

Three young men stand by a table promoting the — Students from Miner Club Tennis try to recruit new members during the Spring O'Rama club fair. Blaine Falkena/Missouri S&T

Swimmer in breast stroke competition. — Artur Becker competes in the breaststroke. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

A man is photographed from below, looking up, with a textured ceiling behind him. — Bryce Naquin looks up at the American flag during the national anthem prior to the Miners' swim meet against Truman. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

Man swimming in competition. — Colin Shaffer makes the underwater turn during the 1,000-yard freestyle race. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

Swimmer in action during competition. — Giorgio Panci swims the butterfly race and takes a breath as he comes out of the water during a Miner swim meet. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

Swimmer in pool. — Nathan Butler takes a breath during the breaststroke during the final home swimming meet for the Miners. Blaine Falkena/Missouri S&T

Spectators watch swimming competition. — Preston Zuber takes the lead swimming the freestyle at the final Miners home swim meet of 2025. Blaine Falkena/Missouri S&T

Swimmer dives into pool as another swimmer surfaces, goggles on, mouth open. — The Miners take first place in the 400-yard medley in their meet against Truman. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

Cheerleaders in green and white uniforms perform a stunt. One smiles while supporting another, who is being held up by teammates. The team's name, — Miners cheerleaders perform a stunt during a home basketball game. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

Basketball player in white and green jersey dunks the ball during a game. Another player in a blue jersey watches. Crowd in the background. Banner reads — Cameron Stovall finishes a break-away dunk in the Miners game against McKendree. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

Blonde basketball player in a white and green jersey yells from the sidelines. She clenches her fists, with mouth open wide. Other players stand nearby. — Morgan Luebbering cheers on teammates late in the game against McKendree. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

A basketball player dribbles the ball as he is being guarded during a game. The player with the ball wears a white and green uniform. The defender wears a blue uniform with the number 42. The game is taking place in Gibson Arena. — Darron Henry makes a quick crossover and change of direction before a McKendree defender can catch up. Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T

Students from S&T traveled to Ecuador to study environmental science and biology. Front to back, left to right, are Anistyn Stennet, Avery Patton, Rachel Vanderback, Kelly Calderon, Jivanji Sumariwalla, Tallas Padgett, Grace Sheahan, Max Palmer, Courtney Jones and Kinsley Patton with boat driver Luis on the Napo River. Zach Beers/Missouri S&T