Military @ ASU

From Arizona State University Office of the President

Last week, Arizona State University hosted a Commissioning Ceremony for 10 Reserve Officers' Training Corps students who just graduated and are launching their careers in the United States Army.  We are honored that these men and women, members of our ASU family, have chosen to boldly and bravely serve our country and that ASU has played a significant role in helping to prepare them for a successful military career and personal fulfillment. That ceremony highlights the extensive work ASU does to support our active duty military and veteran communities and their families as they advance their educational goals.  ASU proudly serves 4,200 military-affiliated students, including veterans and those still serving on active duty, the Guard or reserves, through programs such as the Pat Tillman Veterans Center.  Additionally, nearly 1,000 military family members are enrolled in classes at ASU. ASU is honored to have been recognized as a "Military Friendly School" for seven straight years by G.I. Jobs and to continue building our growing and dedicated legacy to the men and women of our U.S. Armed Forces.  Our institutional commitment is reflected in:   ASU ranked as a 2016 "Best for Vets" college by the Military Times Media Group. College Factual ranked ASU in the top 1% of veteran-friendly schools and 53 of the university's degrees in the top 1% of veteran-friendly programs.  Military Advanced Education & Transition (MAE&T) has awarded ASU the designation of a Top School in its 2016 MAE&T Guide to Colleges & Universities, measuring best practices in military and veteran education.  Institutions were evaluated on their military culture, financial aid, flexibility, general support, on-campus support and online support services. Starbucks announced last month that it will expand the College Achievement Plan for Starbucks employees so that employees who are veterans can extend the benefit of tuition-free college education through ASU Online to a spouse or child. More than 4,000 Starbucks employees already take advantage of the CAP program.  The United States Navy recently announced $1.5 million in seed grants to support six ASU energy-related research projects that will engage veterans or active-duty military.   In fiscal year 2014, ASU researchers submitted $96.4 million in proposals to the Department of Defense, received $37 million in award obligations, and reached $30.1 million in DoD-funded research expenditures. According to the National Science Foundation, ASU ranks 34th in the nation for DoD-funded research expenditures.  ASU is home to six defense research centers, including the Flexible Electronics and Display Center established by the U.S. Army .  The FEDC has produced video screens that can be embedded in soldiers' uniforms, the world's largest flexible X-ray detector and the world's largest flexible color organic light emitting display. The Army's total investment in the FEDC is $100 million. ASU's Global Security Initiative serves as an interdisciplinary hub for global security research, and the Center on the Future of War, a collaboration with the New America Foundation, examines the changing nature of war and conflict.  I invite you to learn more about how ASU supports active duty military personnel and veterans here.  We are always looking for new and better ways to meet their needs and we welcome your ideas.  Please contact me at michael.crow@asu.edu if you have ideas to share or any questions about our services. Sincerely, Michael M. Crow President Arizona State University