Graduates strengthen the West Valley

To view this email as a web page, click here.ASU News Logo in a circle with the text "in the West Valley" next to it.May 2026A view of Fletcher Library flanked by treesThis spring, West Valley graduates earned nearly 1,000 degrees. In this edition, we highlight how they are serving the community and helping make the West Valley stronger through leadership, innovation and service. More than 22,000 Sun Devils overall earned diplomas, marking a 6% increase from last spring. Graduates enter the workforce well-prepared, with ASU ranked No. 2 among public universities for employability, thanks to strong industry partnerships in the West Valley that create internships and career opportunities in Arizona, nationwide and around the world. Actor and activist Harrison Ford served as the undergraduate ceremony speaker, giving an impassioned speech.  Dignitaries on the steps to the Dreamscape Learn mobile classroom

West Valley previews immersive VR science classroom

ASU West Valley gave faculty, ASU and high school students and community members a preview of Dreamscape Learn’s immersive biology and chemistry lessons, where virtual reality and storytelling transform traditional science labs into hands-on learning experiences. Launching this fall in the campus’s new academic and administration building, the permanent Dreamscape Learn classroom will allow students to explore complex concepts through interactive investigations and solve real-world problems in science and technology.Read moreEd and Margie Delph

Ed Delph, West Valley campus founder, dies at 101

Ed Delph, a key figure in founding ASU’s West Valley campus, died March 20 at 101. A Navy veteran and son of a Phoenix teacher, he championed student success, helped secure the campus location and established three ASU scholarship endowments. The Delph Courtyard was named in his family’s honor in 1999, and ASU President Michael Crow said the campus would not exist as the thriving hub it is today without his support.Read more

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The official digital news platform for Arizona State University, ASU News delivers stories of people making a difference in your community. We bring the top headlines to your inbox three times a week.Subscribe for freePavandeep Basra in graduation regalia, making the pitchfork hand gesture, on the West Valley campus

Meet New College outstanding graduate Pavandeep Basra

ASU graduate Pavandeep Basra is celebrating her success while working in the field for which the university prepared her. While earning her master’s degree in forensic psychology from ASU’s New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Basra worked as an intervention counselor with the Yuba County, California, Probation Department, helping youth in the juvenile justice system build the skills and confidence to move forward.  Her message is don’t give up. “The only limits are your mindset and how you see yourself,” said Basra. Read moreA man looking at a team of female athletes on a field. On the back are the words "Train your Mind. Win the Moment."

ASU celebrates first sports psychology graduates

Sports psychologists are in demand in the professional arena as well as at the high school and intramural levels, making the profession ideal for graduates with a sports background. ASU graduated its first cohort this spring, and Jake Land was among them. He has accepted a full-time role at the Arizona Center for Neurofeedback as director of sports psychology and assistant manager, and he credits ASU for his success. “Once I arrived, what stood out most was the support system,” said Land. “Even when the program was new, faculty were committed to helping me reach my goals.”Read morePeople chatting at a roundtable at an ASU business event

West Valley businesses take off with ASU help

ASU’s newly created SMB (small and medium-sized businesses) Lab, located on the West Valley campus, helps local businesses solve their biggest problems, such as reducing costs, growing revenue and other issues. It is one of several programs at ASU West Valley, from engineering to supply chain management, meeting the growing needs of West Valley businesses.Read more from ASU Thrive magazineWatch this ASU All Access storyA young entrepreneur speaks to program participants

West Valley entrepreneurship festival draws crowds 

Nearly 100 community members gathered on May 9 at the Georgia T. Lord Library in Goodyear for the West Valley Youth Entrepreneurship Fair, where 10 founders under age 18 showcased business ventures ranging from a student-led nonprofit to handmade products and an invention headed to a national competition that involves a tool designed to clean up dog messes. Hosted by the Goodyear InnovationHub and Arizona State University’s Edson E+I Institute, the event highlighted growing support for young entrepreneurs in the West Valley. More from ASUDignitaries turn shovels at the ceremonial groundbreaking for ASU Health headquarters

ASU breaks ground for better health outcomes for the West Valley and Arizona

After last month’s groundbreaking, construction is now on progress on the headquarters building for ASU Health in downtown Phoenix, which is scheduled to open for the fall 2028 semester. It will house the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering and the School of Technology for Public Health, among other programs.

The headquarters will feature traditional and virtual reality classrooms, health care simulation and skills labs, a medical-technology innovation suite, and student- and community-focused amenities.Read more Quotable

“Only 250 years ago this summer, imperfect people got together and wrote the Declaration of Independence. This is the preamble: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’ We fight every day — every day — for that to be the case. That these rights are immutable, indivisible, cannot be changed, cannot be taken away. Each of you comes from every type of family, every background, every family income, everything that you can imagine. You’re going to make this thing work. You’re going to make this country better.”

— ASU President Michael Crow, speaking at graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies on May 11 This email was sent to: peterhovis@icloud.com

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Published by RJ Hamster

I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis. I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God. I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree. Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons. I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA. While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon.. In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God. We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987). From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting. Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982. I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects. In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston. In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018. Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia. In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey. As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova. Love and God Bless, Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi

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