Update from ASU President Michael Crow

To view this email as a web page, click here.From Arizona State University Office of the PresidentHarrison Ford, award-winning actor and conservationist, addressed the ASU Class of 2026 after accepting his honorary degree on May 11, 2026. Photo by Deanna Dent/Arizona State University.

Class of 2026: 

“This is your time.”

Last week, we celebrated the Class of 2026, a record-setting 22,000-plus new graduates,and we did it in style. In packed and jubilant ceremonies across our campuses, we recognized the achievements of our students, the contributions of our faculty, and welcomed two very special honorary degree recipients. Famed actor and conservationist Harrison Ford and farmer, philanthropist and photographer Howard G. Buffett accepted their degrees and shared inspirational words of wisdom with ASU’s newest alumni, urging them to create positive change and live life without regrets. In addition to these memorable festivities, we also were excited to host our first-ever convocation in Los Angelesfor graduates of our Fashion Institute and Design Merchandising (FIDM) program. It was a truly memorable week.

Watch ASU’s graduate and undergraduate ceremoniesArizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and industry and university leaders officially break ground on the site of the future ASU Health headquarters on April 9, 2026. Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and industry and university leaders officially break ground on the site of the future ASU Health headquarters on April 9, 2026. Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News.

The next phase of ASU Health took a major step forward as I was joined by local, state and health sector leaders for the groundbreaking of the ASU Health headquarters in downtown Phoenix. Located in the Phoenix BioScience Core, the facility will house the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering, and include traditional and virtual reality classrooms, health care training and simulation labs, dedicated space for medical-technology innovation, and amenities designed for students and the community. The building is scheduled to open in fall 2028 as a hub for ASU’s effort to improve health outcomes for all Arizonans.

Read moreEric Gertler, Jeff Selingo, Michael Crow, Charles Isbell, Sian Beilock and Beong-Soon Kim stand for a panel photo at the Milken Institute Global Conference on May 5, 2026. Photo courtesy of the Milken Institute.

Eric Gertler, Jeff Selingo, Michael Crow, Charles Isbell, Sian Beilock and Beong-Soon Kim stand for a panel photo at the Milken Institute Global Conference on May 5, 2026. Photo courtesy of the Milken Institute.

At the invitation of the Milken Institute Global Conference, I also recently joined the leaders of USC, Dartmouth and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign for a thought-provoking panel discussion about what higher education should look like 20 years from now. While our respective institutions vary in size and design, the panel agreed that the increasingly complex policy landscape and the rapid evolution of unprecedented technology will require greater adaptation and collaboration in order to meet public needs. Now more than ever, we need additional, differentiated pathways to high-quality, personalized learning, and ASU is fully engaged in designing and advancing those solutions in service to our nation and the world. 

Watch videoWashington Post Futures Editor Zachary Goldfarb, MIT President Sally Kornbluth and ASU President Michael Crow discuss the future of American Higher Education at the Building America Summit on June 4, 2026. Photo by Kaz Sasahara for The Washington Post.

Washington Post Futures Editor Zachary Goldfarb, MIT President Sally Kornbluth and ASU President Michael Crow discuss the future of American Higher Education at the Building America Summit on June 4, 2026. Photo by Kaz Sasahara for The Washington Post.

I recently had the pleasure of joining The Washington Post and MIT President Sally Kornbluth for a timely conversation about higher education’s service to America. Our panel was part of a day-long series of discussions spotlighting how the U.S. can build, innovate and manufacture in support of a better future. It was a thought-provoking day of ideas and issues with public and private sector leaders, and I was excited to share how ASU is contributing to these efforts. In advance of our nation’s 250th anniversary, I invite you to experience these conversations and share how we can collaborate to keep moving forward.

Read moreMichael Crow, Sonya Christian and will.i.am discuss the role of AI in enhancing access to education at scale at the ASU+GSV Summit on April 13, 2026. Photo by Unknown/Arizona State University.

Michael Crow, Sonya Christian and will.i.am discuss the role of AI in enhancing access to education at scale at the ASU+GSV Summit on April 13, 2026. Photo by Unknown/Arizona State University.

This spring, we co-hosted the ASU+GSV Summit, our annual global convening of education, technology, policy and industry leaders in San Diego, California. During three days of robust programming, I participated in four panel conversations on topics ranging from the impact of AI on learning and employment to preparing a future-ready workforce to foster economic growth. Musician, FYI.AI founder and ASU Professor of Practice will.i.am, former Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and former Acting President of the Republic of Korea Ju-Ho Leewere among our esteemed panelists sharing their expertise and vision. Check out additional conversations with legendary actress Goldie Hawn and former U.S. Congressman and diplomat Rahm Emanuel on the event’s YouTube page.

Read moreBrian and Kelly Swette. Photo courtesy of The Swette Family.

Brian and Kelly Swette. Photo courtesy of The Swette Family.

The start of next Sun Devil football season is three months away, but the future of the program is being made now. Earlier this month, Brian and Kelly Swette – incredible leaders in business and philanthropy – established the Swette Family Endowed Football Coach position. Their generous $10 million gift is the largest endowed position in Sun Devil Athletics, which will support recruitment, retention compensation and technology for our student-athletes, coaches and staff.

We are grateful for this dedication to the success of Coach Dillingham and our team, and I hope you will help us to cheer ASU to victory.

Read moreWorth a look

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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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