Arizona State University

Arizona State University
source
Name	Arizona State University
Established	1885
Type	Public research university
Endowment	$1.4 billion (2023)
President	Michael M. Crow
Academic staff	5,000+
Students	144,000+ (all campuses, 2023)
City	Tempe, Arizona
Country	United States
Campus	Urban (Tempe), multiple locations
Colors	Maroon and Gold
Nickname	Sun Devils
Affiliations	University Innovation Alliance, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities

Arizona State University. Founded in 1885 as the Territorial Normal School, it has grown into one of the largest public research universities in the United States by enrollment. Under the leadership of President Michael M. Crow since 2002, the institution has pursued a model of the "New American University," emphasizing broad access, research excellence, and societal impact. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and is a member of the University Innovation Alliance.

History

The institution was established in 1885 by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature as the Tempe Normal School for the training of teachers. Its initial location was on land donated by pioneers George and Martha Wilson. In 1925, it became the Tempe State Teachers College and began offering four-year degrees. A significant transformation occurred in 1945 when it was renamed Arizona State College, and again in 1958 when, after a contentious political battle involving Governor Ernest McFarland and Senator Barry Goldwater, it achieved university status as Arizona State University. The postwar era saw rapid expansion under presidents like Grady Gammage, for whom the iconic Gammage Auditorium, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is named. The 21st-century transformation, championed by President Crow, has focused on scaling enrollment, establishing new campuses, and dramatically increasing research expenditures.

Academics

It is organized across 17 colleges and schools, including the renowned W. P. Carey School of Business, the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, and the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. The university offers over 800 degree programs across all levels, with notable strengths in fields like sustainability, space exploration, and journalism through the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. It is a top producer of Fulbright Scholars and a national leader in innovation as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. Major research initiatives are housed in institutes such as the Biodesign Institute, the Global Institute of Sustainability, and the Interplanetary Initiative, often in partnership with entities like NASA and the Mayo Clinic.

Campuses

The university operates multiple campuses across the Phoenix metropolitan area. The historic and largest campus is the Tempe campus, home to most academic colleges and landmarks like Sun Devil Stadium and the Memorial Union. The West campus in Glendale was originally the standalone Thunderbird School of Global Management, now integrated into the university. The Polytechnic campus in Mesa focuses on technology, engineering, and aviation. The Downtown Phoenix campus hosts colleges in health, journalism, and public service, anchoring the city's urban core. It also has a significant presence at the Lake Havasu City campus and manages the Arizona State University SkySong research and innovation center in Scottsdale.

Athletics

Its athletic teams, known as the Sun Devils, compete in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference (transitioning to the Big 12 Conference in 2024). The football team plays at Sun Devil Stadium and has won numerous conference championships, producing legendary players like John Henry Ward and Terrell Suggs. The baseball program, based at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, is a perennial powerhouse with multiple College World Series titles under coaches like Bobby Winkles and Jim Brock. Notable rivalries include the Territorial Cup series against the University of Arizona. The university's athletic department is also known for the Sun Devil Marching Band and mascot Sparky the Sun Devil.

Notable alumni and faculty

The alumni community includes prominent figures such as actor and filmmaker Steve Allen, baseball legend Barry Bonds, and U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema. In business, alumni include American Express CEO Ken Chenault and PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi. The faculty has included Nobel laureates like Edward C. Prescott (Economics) and Pulitzer Prize winners such as poet Rita Dove. Other distinguished faculty have included astronaut and professor Michele D. Smith, and theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss. The university's alumni also feature numerous professional athletes, journalists like Al Michaels, and public servants across all levels of government.

Category:Universities and colleges in Arizona Category:Public universities and colleges in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1885