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.