Dr. Lattie F. Coor Jr., a native Arizonan, achieved major milestones for ASU as a research institution and set the stage for what would later become the New American University.
J. Russell Nelson served as ASU's president from 1981 to 1989. He believed that the educational mission was the most important part of the university, and that everything else was subordinate to that, including athletics. Although his administration was marked by disharmony with the athletic department, he worked to make athletics a source of pride for the university. One of Nelson's goals was to make ASU a multi-campus institution. He met this goal with the establishment of ASU West in 1983, which brought education to western Maricopa County.
John W. Schwada was ASU's thirteenth president, serving from 1971 to 1981. He presided over one of the largest growth periods in university history, when enrollment climbed from 26,000 to 40,000. During his tenure, 25 buildings were added to the campus, including the University Activity Center (now known as the Wells Fargo Arena), Packard Stadium, and the Sun Devil Stadium addition. In addition, the College of Public Programs was established and ASU joined the Pac-10 Conference.
Harry K. Newburn's administration provided a receptive atmosphere for those with varying degrees of opinions, attitudes and differences in regards to issues of academic freedom and student unrest. He ushered in a new sense of pride in the university's football team, which represented Arizona in the 1971 Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia. Newburn believed that both academic and athletic achievements had a place at the university and strengthened the ties of understanding and friendship between the university and the people of Arizona.
During the 1960s with the presidency of G. Homer Durham, Arizona State University began its academic maturing with the establishment of several new colleges, including the College of Fine Arts, the College of Law, the College of Nursing, the School of Social Work, and the reorganization of what became the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Perhaps most importantly, the university gained the authority to award the Doctor of Philosophy and other doctoral degrees.
On December 24, 1959, the day following President Grady Gammage's death, Harold D. Richardson was named Acting President of the university. He served in that capacity for nine months, after which he resumed his duties as Academic Vice President and Professor of Education. Despite his short tenure, Richardson continued to guide the university along a smooth course of successes and accomplishments, earning the admiration and respect of his colleagues and students.