Wealth & Finance International 26 Research Leads to Results for ASU or the second consecutive year, Arizona State University is the nation’s most innovative school, per U.S. News & World Report rankings. This list compares more than 1,500 institutions on a variety of metrics. The latest review, released today, is based on a survey of college presidents, provosts and admissions deans around the nation. ASU has taken the top spot in each year the innovation category has been considered. The back-to-back No. 1 rankings demonstrate ASU’s overarching approach is being recognized, rather than a single initiative or moment, university officials said. “We do things differently, and we constantly try new approaches,” ASU President Michael M. Crow said. “Our students’ paths to discovery don’t have to stay within the boundaries of a single discipline. Our research- ers team up with colleagues from disparate fields of expertise. We use technology to enhance the classroom and reach around the world. We partner with cities, non-profits and corporations to support our advanc- es as the higher-education economy evolves. This ranking recognizes the new model we have created.” Arizona State University Beginnings In March 1885, the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature passed an act to create a school to train teachers in Arizona. Thus, Arizona State University began operating as the Territorial Normal School. A single, four-room schoolhouse was the first campus and the school served a total of 33 people when the first classes began on February 8th, 1886. The school changed names throughout the following 50 years, during which time, it became Arizona Territorial Normal School, Arizona Normal School, Normal School of Arizona and Tempe Normal School. Throughout this time, the school offered high school diplomas and teaching certificates and accepted high-school-age students. The school stopped awarding high school diplomas in 1923 and began to only accept students who had already completed their high school diploma. In 1925 the school began offering four-year Bachelor of Edu- cation degrees as well as two-year teaching certificates and became the Tempe State Teachers School. In 1929, the legislature authorized Bach- elor of Arts in Education degrees as well, and the school was renamed the Arizona State Teachers College. The school was given all-college student status under the 30-year tenure of president Arthur John Matthews. Whilst he was president, the first dormitories were built on campus. 18 buildings were erected in total during his tenure, of which six are still used. The first dormitories built in the state were constructed under his supervision. Of the 18 buildings constructed while Matthews was president, six are still in use. Matthews had visions of a green campus, with shrubs and plants adorning the grounds. His legacy lives on in modern times, as the main campus has been declared a nationally recognized arboretum. During the Great Depression, enrolment increased 100% and Ralph W. Swetman was hired as president for a three-year term. However, many faculty were terminated and faculty salaries were cut due to the depression. Arizona State University in Modern Times In 2002, the university’s 16th president, Michael M. Crow was inau- gurated, during his commencement speech, he outlined his vision for transforming ASU into a “New American University”—one that would be open and inclusive, and set a goal for the university to meet the criteria to become a member of the Association of American Universities. He initiated the idea of transforming ASU into a single institution compris- ing several campuses, sharing students, faculty, staff and accreditation. The reorganizations resulting from this combined academic depart- ments, consolidated colleges and schools, and reduced staff and administration as the university expanded its West and Polytechnic campuses, expanding ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus and relocat- ing several colleges and schools there. This led to the opening of more learning centers throughout the state, including the ASU Colleges at Lake Havasu City and programs in Thatcher, Yuma, and Tucson, where several degree subjects are available. Millions of dollars in donations were made during crow’s presidency and these were funnelled into a years-long research facility capital building effort, which resulted in the establishment of the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, as well as the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, and several large interdisciplinary research buildings. Alongside these new facilities, the university faculty was expanded, introducing four Nobel Laureates. Over the 15 years since, the uni- versity’s research expenditures have tripled and more than 1.5 million square feet of space has been added to the facilities. Arizona State University continues to grow and develop, making it a leading university in the country. Company: Arizona State University Name: Elizabeth Capaldi Phillips Email:
[email protected] Web Address: www.asu.edu/ Address: Tempe Campus, Tempe, Arizona, AZ 85281, USA Telephone: 001 480 965 1684 Arizona State University are earning more and more recognition for their expansion and research facilities. F 1702WF45