Arizona State University’s Top 10 Non-Sports Accomplishments of 2008
We’re not just seam heads and hoops junkies at Echo from the Buttes. If our fine alma matre compiles a list of the university’s top 15 accomplishments of the year, we’re happy to share them.
About a week ago, we took a stab at ranking the top five Sun Devil sports stories of 2008. Fortunately, we won’t have to list Arizona State’s top non-sports accomplishments of the year.
Our alma matre did that work for us by publishing an excellent series of 15 articles on the ASU website. Our list of the top 10 accomplishments is below (words by ASU, rankings by us, fearless leadership by Michael Crow), but we suggest you head over to the university’s website for the full scoop.
1. ASU commemorates 50th anniversary: A Maroon and “Golden” Homecoming week kicks off Nov. 7, commemorating the historic 50th anniversary of Arizona State University.
2. Fall enrollment tops 67,000: ASU official enrollment numbers for fall 2008 are even higher than predicted at the start of the semester, topping the 67,000 mark.
3. SkySong opens doors to tenants: Skysong, ASU’s Scottsdale Innovation Center, is ushering in a new chapter in global engagement with the opening of its first building
4. Institute puts university on ‘green’ path: The new home of the Global Institute of Sustainability is one of the most eco-friendly buildings on ASU’s Tempe campus, taking advantage of natural light, recycled materials and wind power.
5. Professors see solutions in slime: Milt Sommerfeld and Qiang Hu are doing their part to harness the power of algae as an environmentally friendly fuel – and beyond.
6. Researchers document mammals in crisis: One in four mammal species on Earth is being pushed to extinction according to an assessment of the world’s mammals, created by a team that includes ASU researchers.
7. Scientists announce top 10 new species: ASU’s International Institute for Species Exploration and an international committee of taxonomists – scientists responsible for species exploration and classification – are unveiling the top 10 new species described in 2007.
8. ASU announces new research initiative: ASU is launching a major new initiative that will revolutionize academic research through the innovative convergence of science, engineering, social sciences and computing.
9. Humanities programs illuminate university innovation: As ASU emerges as a comprehensive knowledge enterprise committed to discovery, creativity and innovation, the humanities are playing a vital role in that mission.
10. ASU professor disses George W. Bush: An ASU professor took a swipe at our president by named a nasty slime mold-eating beetle after him. (OK, that one’s made up. Click here to see what we’re talking about.)
What’s Your Take, Sun Devils?
Yes, this is mostly a sports website. But do any of these stories get your heart beating as a proud ASU alum? Let us know in the comments below.
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67,000 enrollees (registrants?) is an accomplishment? What is the average SAT score of an entering freshman class that contributes to an enrollment of 67,000? What % of these students graduate in four years? Five years? Ever? If you divided ASU’s endowment by the number of students would it rank even in the top 300 in the country? What % of these 67,000 will ever give a nickel to the alumni association? With 67,000 students why isn’t SDS and UAC full for every game?
I’d strike that one from the accomplishments list.
You’re right David. We should be providing fewer educational opportunities in this country. Let’s only admit students who come from wealthy families and are crazy about football.
@David, I beleive it is an accomplishment. This state’s population explosion has resulted in a vast number of young people seeking higher education. Arizona State — unlike our friends to the South — has welcomed these young people with open arms.
Personally, I’d rather see the next generation of Arizona leadership educated by our state university system rather than by the private sector (ie University of Phoenix). An educated populace is a key to the future of our state and our country, and ASU has stepped up to the plate.
He’s had to ruffle some feathers to get there, but I say “Bravo, Michael Crow.”
David,
Did you/ do you go to ASU? It doesn’t seem like you know a lot about the University’s goals to create the New American University.
For one, there are now 4 ASU campuses around the Valley- Main, West, East and Downtown- Main maxed out at about 50,000 a while ago. So the 67,000 is not all at Main campus. ASU worked with the City during it’s light rail planning, which has resulted in the rail running right through Main and Downtown campuses. ASU’s growth has resulted in great relationships and a more encompassing presence in the Valley.
Regarding academics, ASU is now a Research 1 University (now called RU/VH), designating that our research activity is very high. Also, in 2007, 160 National Merit Scholars and 16 Fulbright Scholars entered as freshman at ASU. In case you’re wondering, that’s a lot.
Regarding Alumni, the number of connections, clubs and chapters around the country has exploded in the past year or two. Yes, our endowment is still relatively low, but why would that be affected by increased numbers of students and eventual alums? We’re getting there- and if your’e an alum, have you given a dime?
The point I’m trying to make is that with the number of students increasing every year, the level of academics, national university rankings, and national individual school rankings have also increased every year. The idea that more students= a worse education is old thinking- just ask President Crow.
GO DEVILS, BEAT CATS!
I grew up three blocks south of Saguaro Hall … my father was on the ASU faculty for 40 years, my mother worked at ASU in Student Services for many years, my sister graduated from ASU, and I was a tenured university professor before returning to the “professional world”. I am well-aware of the academic credentials and aspirations of ASU and the new American university.
Talk to the faculty and staff about Crow’s “don’t judge the input; judge the output” mentality. Look at the SAT scores, the GPA, the graduation rates, the alumni association membership rate, the endowment per student and any other metric you can think of for ASU. Now compare those numbers to the same metrics in the University of California system, or the University of Texas system, of the University of Washington, or the University of Michigan, or the University of North Carolina, or the University of Colorado, or etc.
ASU is a significantly better university than it was when my family moved to Tempe in 1964, but it is not a great university.
p.s. I will be happy to explain to you how the National Merit Scholar program works and how ASU has so many in attendance; let me know if you are interested.
@David, QUESTION: Are you suggesting ASU cap enrollment to ensure a higher level of students attend? If so, where do you see prospective students who come up short pursuing a higher education in this state?
The cost of attending ASU, UA, and NAU is laughably low when one considers tuition as a % of the true cost of education and the well-documented earning power that comes from the possession of a college degree. Given that many in AZ view a university education as a right I can’t see tuition going up to where it should be. And the taxpayers sure aren’t in a mood to pay more. So that leaves enrollment caps. For those who are turned away there are the community colleges for the first two years.
Given the dismal graduation rates at ASU it is crystal clear that ASU is attempting to serve many “students” who have no business being in college.
For the record, this is very interesting conversation, some of the best I’ve seen on any message board. I learned a thing or two as well. More of this on EFTB would be cool.
I like that ASU has become so big and welcomed so many. But the school has definitely gone through some growing pains. I fear now we look like the Krispy Kreme franchise…expanding too fast and facing extreme economic trouble and maybe closing down the some of the smaller campuses. Time will tell how it all works out, but ASU is at a huge point in its history.
@David. I don’t know who you personally I don’t believe and you bring up GREAT points with just about every post I’ve seen you make. But I can’t recall one positive thing you’ve ever had to say about the university (or its teams) that you clearly have invested a lot of your life into. Why so insanely negative? You have, however, spent several posts listing all the positive things YOU HAVE DONE for the university as a fan or otherwise. How about tooting the school’s horn every once a year instead of your own?
@David. “ASU is attempting to serve many “students” who have no business being in college.”
That is absolutely comical. Your arrogance is as stunning as it is amusing.
Ak47 … high standards = arrogant … that’s funny. Compare the graduation rate of ASU with that of UCLA. Compare the GPA of incoming students of ASU with that of UCLA. This is a fair comparison – ASU and UCLA are in the same athletic conference, and ASU often brings up UCLA as a comparison university. If ak47 ran then circus ASU would be nothing more than a high school with ash trays. Come one, come all to ASU. You say you barely got out of high school, can’t do simple algebra problems, and read at the 8th grade level? No problem – it’s not your fault. There’s a place for you at Arizona State University.
This mindset that universities ought to throw open the doors and offer themselves to anyone is ridiculous. Do you have any idea how much money a school like ASU spends on remedial education each year? I don’t suppose that money could be spent on scholarships or, heaven forbid, additional faculty to teach classes.
Drexel, your’s was a good post. My explanation – I have very high standards and limited tolerance for mediocrity. Two Rose Bowls, zero final fours, and one NCAA baseball title since joining the Pac-10 may be great for some but to me it seems very average. I’ll admit that sometimes I don’t even see the glass, let alone the glass that is half-full. I just think that ASU can do better. Of course, when there are people who think that everyone should be able to show up and say, “ASU, I’m here, educate me”, the bar is bound to be lowered somewhat.