Arizona State University

Arizona State University, often called ASU, is a big public university in Tempe, Arizona. It started in 1885 as a school to train teachers and has grown into one of the largest universities in the United States. Today, it has over 160,000 students, with many studying online.

ASU offers a wide range of subjects to choose from, with more than 400 programs for students who want to start their careers and over 450 options for those who wish to continue their studies. The university is known for its strong research and has many famous teachers, including winners of important awards like the Nobel Prize.

Students at ASU can also enjoy many sports. The Arizona State Sun Devils compete in 26 different sports and have won many championships, as well as sending many athletes to the Olympic Games. With so many students, teachers, and activities, ASU is a place where many people come to learn and grow.

History

Main article: History of Arizona State University

Arizona State University started as the Territorial Normal School in Tempe on March 12, 1885. The 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature created it to train teachers for schools in the Arizona Territory. The first classes had 33 students in a small schoolhouse in 1886. Over the years, the school changed names many times, finally becoming Arizona State University in 1958.

Leaders of the school helped build new buildings and start important programs. During hard times like the Great Depression, the school grew quickly. New leaders brought more focus to research and added many new programs and buildings. The university grew to include many campuses across Arizona, offering many different fields of study for students.

Organization and administration

Main article: Arizona Board of Regents

The Arizona Board of Regents oversees Arizona State University and the other public universities in Arizona, such as the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University. This board has 12 members, with most able to vote on decisions. It includes the state’s governor, a school leader, eight volunteers chosen by the governor, and two students who help for a short time. The board helps guide the universities.

Arizona State University has four main places where students can study, all near Phoenix, Arizona. These are in Tempe, Glendale, Downtown Phoenix, and Mesa. The university also offers classes online and in other smaller locations. The leader of the university is chosen by the board and is helped by many other leaders and teachers. The current leader has been in charge since 2002.

Campuses and locations

Arizona State University (ASU) has four campuses in the Phoenix area and learning centers across Arizona, plus locations in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Hawaii. Each campus focuses on different areas of study. The Tempe campus is the main research and graduate school center. The Polytechnic campus emphasizes professional and technological programs. The West Valley campus focuses on interdisciplinary degrees and the liberal arts. The Downtown Phoenix campus concentrates on urban and public programs.

The Tempe campus is in downtown Tempe, Arizona, about eight miles east of Phoenix. It is the original campus and the largest, with many famous buildings and landmarks. The West Valley campus, established in 1984, is powered by solar energy and offers over 100 degree programs. The Polytechnic campus, founded in 1996, provides degrees in professional, technical, and science fields. The Downtown Phoenix campus, established in 2006, includes modern buildings and historic structures, offering programs in health, public service, and journalism. ASU Online provides over 150 degree programs through an online platform, allowing students to learn interactively from anywhere.

Academics

Admissions

Arizona State University (ASU) is a large public university in Tempe, Arizona. As of August 2022, ASU had over 140,000 students studying both in person and online. About 79,000 students attended classes on campus, while more than 61,000 took online courses.

For the 2022–2023 school year, ASU accepted 88% of students who applied. The average high school grade point average (GPA) for new students was 3.54. Barrett, The Honors College at ASU, is known for being one of the best honors programs in the country.

Academic programs

ASU offers many choices for students. There are over 350 different subjects for undergraduate students to major in, and more than 100 graduate programs. These programs cover areas such as science, engineering, journalism, education, business, law, nursing, public policy, technology, and sustainability. Students can earn masters or doctoral degrees.

Rankings

In the 2025 rankings by U.S. News & World Report, ASU was tied for 117th among all universities in the United States. It was also ranked 57th among public universities and was named the most innovative school in the country. Other rankings place ASU between 49th and 58th in the U.S. and 151st to 200th in the world.

Research and institutes

ASU is known for its research. In 2020, the university spent over $673 million on research. It is one of only four universities in the country to offer a certificate in veterans studies. ASU works with NASA and has been part of many space missions. The university also has institutes focused on sustainability, health, and other important areas.

Luminosity Lab

The Luminosity Lab is a student-led group that works on research and development projects. It was started in 2016 and brings together students from different fields of study.

Libraries

ASU has nine libraries across its campuses. The main library, Hayden Library, is on the Tempe campus. As of 2013, ASU's libraries held around 4.5 million books and other materials.

Sustainability

Arizona State University (ASU) works hard to help the environment. As of 2014, ASU was the top school in the United States for making electricity from the sun. By 2016, it produced over 24 megawatts of solar power, and by 2017, this grew to 50 megawatts. The university has many solar panels spread across its campuses.

ASU also uses wind turbines to make electricity and has installed special film on bus shelters to keep them cooler without using extra energy. The School of Sustainability at ASU was the first in the United States to offer degrees in sustainability. The university aims to reduce waste, save water, and become carbon neutral, meaning it won’t add more pollution to the air than it removes.

Traditions

Maroon and gold

Gold has been linked to Arizona State University since 1896, when the school was called the Tempe Normal School. Later, maroon and white were added. Gold stands for the "golden promise" of a good education and for Arizona’s sunny weather. Maroon means bravery, and white stands for balance. Fans wear gold on game days, and the colors are often seen around the city of Tempe, Arizona.

Mascot and Spirit Squad

Main article: Sparky the Sun Devil

Sparky the Sun Devil became the university’s mascot in 1946 after a student vote. Sparky attends every football bowl game and does pushups after each touchdown. He is different from the team’s logo, which is a pitchfork. The school’s teams were once called the Owls and later the Bulldogs.

"A" Mountain

Main article: Tempe Butte

Since 1918, a letter has marked the slope of Tempe Butte, known as "A" Mountain. The current "A" was built in 1955 after the original was destroyed. Each year, new students paint the "A" white, and it is changed to gold before the first football game. This tradition has been popular since the 1930s.

Lantern Walk and Homecoming

The Lantern Walk began in 1917 and is one of the oldest traditions at the university. Participants walk through campus to Tempe Butte for a nighttime event with speeches and fireworks. It used to be held in June but now takes place before Homecoming in the fall.

Victory Bell

In 2012, Arizona State University brought back the tradition of ringing a bell after each football win. University ROTC cadets carry the bell to events. The original bell from the 1930s cracked and is now a landmark near Sun Devil Stadium.

Sun Devil Marching Band, Devil Walk and songs of the university

Main article: Sun Devil Marching Band

The Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band, formed in 1915, is known as the "Pride of the Southwest." It has received a special award and performs at every home football game. The band also plays at other sports events. The most famous songs are the "Alma Mater" and fight songs like "Maroon and Gold".

Curtain of Distraction

Since 2013, a "Curtain of Distraction" has been used during basketball games. In the second half, a curtain opens, and students try to distract the opposing team during free throws. This has sometimes given the team an advantage.

Student life

Extracurricular programs

See also: List of Arizona State University fraternities and sororities

Arizona State University has many activities students can join. You can find clubs, sororities, fraternities, community service, leadership groups, student government, and other programs in a special place called Educational Outreach and Student Services (EOSS) on the Tempe campus.

One of the oldest groups is called Devils' Advocates. They give tours of the campus to help new students. There is also a place called Changemaker Central where students work together on projects to help their communities. This place helps students create new ideas and get support for their projects.

The university also has many Greek organizations, which are groups that help students connect and have fun together. There are different types of these groups, including one for students of Latino heritage and another for students of African American heritage.

Student media

The State Press is a newspaper made by students. It shares news and events from all of ASU's campuses. Students run this newspaper and decide what to write about.

There is also The Downtown Devil, a news website made by students at the Downtown Phoenix Campus.

ASU has a student-run radio station called Blaze Radio. Students host shows, play music, and talk about news and sports all day long on this station.

Student government

Associated Students of Arizona State University (ASASU) is the group that represents students. It has leaders chosen by students from each campus.

There is also a group called the Residence Hall Association (RHA) for students who live in university housing. This group helps make life better for students living on campus and gives them a voice to share their ideas with the university.

Athletics

Main article: Arizona State Sun Devils

Arizona State University's sports teams, called the Sun Devils, compete in 20 different sports. They are part of the Big 12 Conference and have been strong in sports like archery, badminton, golf, swimming, diving, baseball, and football. The university has won 24 national championships in these and other sports.

The Sun Devils football team was started in 1896 and has played in many important games, including the Rose Bowl, which they won in 1987. They have also won several conference titles and have been in many bowl games. The team began playing hockey at the top college level in 2012. Students can get free tickets to sports events with their student ID.

Alumni

Main articles: List of Arizona State University alumni and List of Arizona State University athletes

Arizona State University has a large group of graduates, with over 640,000 members worldwide as of 2024. Many of these graduates have achieved success in different fields. In government, the university counts three U.S. senators and four governors of Arizona among its alumni, along with several members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The university also has notable graduates in entertainment, sports, and business. Famous names include TV host Jimmy Kimmel, sportscaster Al Michaels, and actor David Spade. In sports, ASU alumni have played in the National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, and other professional leagues. The university has produced Olympic athletes who have won many medals in various games.

Faculty

ASU has many talented teachers and leaders. Some well-known faculty members include a former CNN host, a physicist, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and even someone who discovered an important ancient fossil. The university has professors who have won big awards, like Nobel Prizes, and many others who are leaders in their fields.

The university’s faculty has achieved many honors, including having several Nobel laureates, members of important science groups, and winners of prestigious awards.

Presidents

The following people have been presidents of Arizona State University:

Presidential visits

Arizona State University has been visited by ten United States presidents. President Theodore Roosevelt was the first to visit, speaking on March 20, 1911. President Richard Nixon visited Phoenix in 1970 and mentioned Arizona State University during his speech. President Lyndon B. Johnson spoke at ASU in 1972. Future president Gerald R. Ford debated at ASU in 1968 and later gave a lecture there in 1984.

President Jimmy Carter visited in 2015. Future president Ronald Reagan spoke at ASU in 1957 and again in 1989. President George H. W. Bush gave a lecture in 1998. President Bill Clinton was the first sitting president to visit ASU in 1996 and returned several times. President George W. Bush debated at ASU in 2004. President Barack Obama visited as sitting president in 2009. Most recently, President Donald Trump spoke at a campaign rally on October 24, 2024.