Updates from the President

On the heels of ASU's third consecutive designation as the #1 school in the U.S. for innovation come several new acknowledgements of our growing quality. They include our recent naming as one of the top science and technology universities in America, and news that our alumni are among Silicon Valley's most hired recruits, ahead of those from the Ivy League.

In addition, the 2017 Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)listed ASU in the top 0.4% of 27,000 degree-granting institutions worldwide, and eight of our academic programs, including business and anthropology, were recognized as top ten programs internationally. CWUR are the only global higher education rankings that measure the quality of education and training of students as well as the prestige of the faculty members and the quality of their research. World university rankings are based on eight criteria including, the number of faculty and alumni who have won major international awards, alumni employment, published research, research influence and citations, broad impact, and awarded patents.

These are all great examples of how we are adding value to the degrees earned at ASU. I applaud the work of our university community in earning these designations, and I hope these points of pride are shared broadly.

Facilitating interesting and thought-provoking experiences for our students and the community is one way that ASU supports the broad exchange of ideas. Over the course of a recent week, we had the excellent opportunity to welcome an impressive array of leaders from the worlds of policy, business, entertainment and journalism. These special guests included former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, entrepreneur and television personality Mark Cuban, "Hamilton" star Leslie Odom, Jr., and "PBS Newshour" anchor and managing editor, Judy Woodruff, all of whom shared their perspectives on timely themes and personal experiences at the invitation of our students or the university.

During the same period, ASU was equally fortunate to host Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Richard Schrock, former U.S. Senators, Tom Daschle and Jon Kyl, and White House correspondent Jon Decker, among other esteemed visitors.

Our goal is to keep this stream of thought-leaders moving through our campuses with regularity and I encourage you to keep an eye on ASU Now and our events calendar to learn about new opportunities.

Earlier this month, we celebrated the official grand opening of the new Student Pavilion on the Tempe campus. Reflecting ASU's student-centric culture and designed as a state-of-the-art venue housing classrooms, study areas, student activities, and special events, the Pavilion is also ASU's first net-zero building, meaning it uses no more energy than it creates.

I joined student government leaders, student organization representatives, Regent Bill Ridenour, and many excited Sun Devils to acknowledge those who spearheaded the Pavilion's creation, and to discuss how this new facility empowers our student body to help drive ASU forward to be the kind of university they need. If you have not yet taken the opportunity to visit, stop by and see firsthand the ideas and energy of our students at work.

On October 13, we marked another important milestone for Sun Devil Stadium, the achievement of our $85 million fundraising goal supporting its reinvention. Continuing the momentum of the stadium renovation, and led by outstanding ASU supporters, a campaign to advance the ASU 365 Community Union seeks to transform ASU's sports landmark into an unparalleled, full-service community resource. Our shared vision is to create a year-round venue capable of hosting an array of events and activities, from classes to concerts, cultural events to recreation and everything in between.

We believe that this one-of-a-kind gathering place will bring people, ideas and energy together in new and exciting ways, while strengthening the fabric of our university and surrounding metropolitan area, and creating new opportunities for our students, faculty, staff and visitors.

I invite you to watch the short video below to learn more about this dynamic concept, and I welcome your engagement as we continue to move forward.