"The 3-legged stool of understanding is held up by history, languages, and mathematics. Equipped with these three you can learn anything you want to learn. But if you lack any one of them you are just another ignorant peasant with dung on your boots."

"Age is not an accomplishment and youth is no sin."

"Any student can learn the truly tough subjects on almost any campus if he/she wishes - the professors and books and labs are there. But the student must want to.... I ask you never to forget this while we see how one can slide through, never do any real work, and still receive a bachelor of arts degree.... Some guidelines apply...: Don't pick a medical school or an engineering school. Don't pick a natural science that requires difficult mathematics.... You must pick a major... but it must not involve mathematics, history, or actually being able to read a second language. This rules out all natural sciences. ... It will be necessary to cater to the whims of professors who know no more than you do about anything that matters... but catering to your mentors is necessary in any subject not ruled by mathematics."

__Robert A. Heinlein in "The Happy Days Ahead"

Note: Robert A. Heinlein knew about UMR (at least when it was called MSM), and from the favorable way he mentions "Rolla Tech" in some of his stories, he must have had a high opinion of the school.