While ASU's West campus has long been an object of pride for its students, the campus now sports a sign marking it as a Phoenix Point of Pride as well.
The sign was installed Thursday during a Homecoming event at West campus’ Central Mall. The event opened with speeches by Elizabeth Langland, dean of the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Dean; Thom Smith, a member of the Phoenix Pride Commission and Ryan Caracciolo, West’s student-body president.
“The ideals of social embeddedness, of impact and access that are at the heart of President [Michael] Crow’s vision for ASU were foundational to ASU’s West campus,” Langland said. “This Point of Pride award acknowledges the longevity of our relationship and the many, many contributions of the campus to the quality and character of the city of Phoenix.”
Although the sign was installed on Thursday, ASU West campus was selected in January by a public vote. According to the Phoenix Pride Commission’s Web site, the award was given to the campus due to its dedication to higher education and its presence as the “centerpiece of a burgeoning region of commerce, recreation, arts and lifelong learning opportunities.”
“The West campus was ultimately chosen by the public,” said Marc Scher, who was chairman of the Phoenix Pride Commission. “It was a long time coming for ASU West, and it’s well deserved.”
After the speeches, faculty and spectators proceeded to the front of the campus to watch as the sign was installed. The event closed with an ice-cream social, where students met with and faculty and Phoenix Pride Commission members while waiting for the final Homecoming event of the evening: a flag-football tournament and barbecue.
“This is the first Homecoming I’ve ever been a part of,” said communications studies junior Michelle Hadar, who is in her first semester at ASU after coming to the United States from Israel two years ago.
She said that although the turnout for the event seemed small at first, the number of attendees grew quickly. She said she could really feel everyone’s school spirit.
Speech and hearing science freshman Jessica Tavizon, who is on the Homecoming committee board, said she was pleased by the turnout.
“I think it’s a really awesome thing to be able to experience the Point of Pride celebration,” she said. “I really hope it encourages students here at West to realize that just because we’re so far apart from Tempe, Downtown [Phoenix] and Polytechnic doesn’t mean that there’s not life here.”
Other Homecoming events at the West campus this week have included Sparky’s Star Search talent competition on Monday and a flag-football tournament and barbecue on Thursday.
On Friday, the Devil’s Ball Homecoming Dance will take place at 9 p.m. in the University Center Building’s La Sala Ballroom. To get in, students must bring one clean, recyclable item. Friday will also be the final day to help build the West campus’ float in Parking Lot 13 for Saturday’s Homecoming Parade. A free shuttle will run Saturday every two hours starting at 10 a.m., taking West students to events in Tempe.
Reach the reporter at jsnyder3@asu.edu.
