From Arizona State University Office of the President
Dear ASU colleagues and community partners:
As we mark the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence, we have an opportunity to reflect on the ideas that shaped the United States, the challenges that have tested those ideas and the work still ahead.
ASU was created through direct democratic action, and our charter calls us to be measured by whom we include and how they succeed. That responsibility is especially meaningful in this anniversary year, as we consider how public institutions like ASU can help advance learning, dialogue and service to the nation.
I invite you to join me for two upcoming conversations that explore these questions from different but connected perspectives.
On Wednesday, Sept. 30, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and presidential biographer Jon Meacham will join me for “America at 250: Past, Present, Possible,” a Dialogues for Democracy event exploring what America’s past can teach us about its future.
One week later, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, I will join acclaimed author Walter Isaacson for the 2026 Centennial Lecture, “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written,” a conversation inspired by the Declaration of Independence and the words that continue to challenge and guide our nation.
These events are an invitation to engage with history not as something fixed behind us, but as a source of context for the choices before us. I hope you will make time to attend and take part in these important public conversations. Details and registration for both events are below.
This email was sent to: peterhovis@icloud.com To ensure future delivery, please add officeofthepresident@reply.asu.edu to your safe sender list or address book.
Arizona State University PO Box 877705 Tempe, AZ 85287-7705 USA
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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