Arizona State University

Arizona State University will celebrate Roy Orbison’s unparalleled contributions to rock ‘n’ roll with a series of events beginning in late January, including a tribute concert Jan. 25 at the new Tempe Center for the Arts. ASU’s Center for Film, Media and Popular Culture will honor Orbison during the concert with a posthumous lifetime achievement award, which will be presented to Barbara Orbison, his widow and former manager. Barbara Orbison also will be presented with a legacy award, honoring her dedication to keeping her late husband’s music alive since his death in 1988.

“A Tribute to Roy Orbison” will commemorate Orbison’s influence in musical culture through a film screening, concert, gallery exhibit and symposium. It is presented by ASU’s Center for Film, Media and Popular Culture in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the city of Tempe and the Tempe Center for the Arts. More information is available online at OrbisonTribute.asu.edu.

All tribute events are free and open to the public. Tickets are required for the film screening and the tribute concert. Reservations can be arranged starting Jan. 8, at the Tempe Center for the Arts box office, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, in person or by phone, (480) 350-2TCA (2822).

“Roy Orbison’s music was a departure from the norms of his time and for that reason has proven to be timeless. Today, his songs sound as relevant and fresh as ever,” says professor Peter Lehman, director of ASU’s Center for Film, Media and Popular Culture and author of “Roy Orbison: The Invention of an Alternative Rock Masculinity.”
 
The film “Roadie,” featuring the music of Orbison, will be screened at 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Tempe Center for the Arts. An introduction will be presented by writer and executive producer Zalman King and producer Carolyn Pfeiffer. The film features a duet of “That Loving You Feeling Again,” which Orbison recorded with Emmylou Harris.

Dallas entrepreneur Glen Agritelley will bring the largest private collection of Orbison memorabilia to the Tempe Center for the Arts for a gallery exhibition Jan. 25 to April 18. Titled “Mercy: a Roy Orbison Pilgrimage,” the exhibition spans four decades of the development of Orbison’s music, persona and influence upon other musicians. The collection features nearly 100 items spanning Orbison’s prolific career, including a signed Kramer red guitar, concert posters, original sheet music and costumes.

A gallery talk by Agritelley will take place 11 a.m. Jan. 25 at the Tempe Center for the Arts.

The Roy Orbison Tribute Concert at 8 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Tempe Center for the Arts will feature the Truly Lover Trio performing the songs of Orbison and the Herberger String Quartet performing the world premiere of Kim Scharnberg’s arrangement “Suite on the Tunes of Roy Orbison.” During the concert, two awards – a Lifetime Achievement Award and a Legacy Award – will be given by ASU’s Center for Film, Media and Popular Culture.

A symposium exploring Orbison’s life, his music and its cultural impact will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 26 in the Student Services Building Amphitheater at ASU’s Tempe campus. The first panel discussion, "Working with Roy Orbison," will feature professional record producers, songwriters and filmmakers who have worked with Orbison or his music. The second, "Roy Orbison: His Music, Career, Fans and Legacy," will feature scholars and experts speaking about Orbison’s recordings, concert performances, fans and international career.

Kellen Dengler, a recent graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, won a prestigious Emmy Award for best student production from the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Dengler and three other Cronkite students, Michael Barcia, Brian Martin and Danielle Hurtado, produced “The Forgotten Population,” a video about the homeless population of Tempe. A project for a television production class, the students were assigned to seek out a local non-profit agency in Phoenix and create a video for the agency. The students worked with HomeBase Youth Services of Phoenix to illustrate the plight of homeless youth.

Dengler, of Fort Collins, Colo, who wrote and produced the video, said he and his teammates “put a ton of effort” into the project. Hurtado directed the video, Barcia edited it and Martin was the cinematographer. “We all helped each other and all focused on each other’s strengths to make it what it was,” Dengler said in an e-mail interview. “Our production team couldn’t have been any better.”

Dengler is now working as a videographer and editor for several production houses in the Phoenix metro area and doing freelance work.

Glen Stephens, the students’ instructor, said it was the first time any of his students have ever won an Emmy. He said the work was “very emotional, very artistically done and technically excellent.”

The video also placed third for Best Student Production in the 2007 Seguin Film and Arts Festival and received Official Selection Honors at the 2007 New York International Independent Film and Video Festival.

In addition, Cronkite NewsWatch, the school’s student-produced newscast, was nominated for an Emmy for best student production. The 30-minute newscast featuring student work is aired three times a week across much of Arizona via Cox Cable.

NewsWatch students named in the nomination were: Susan Ansman, Ruth Bartlett, Briana Buxbaum, Noelle Caldwell, Even Doherty, Hailey Frances, Cemile Gokmen, Amanda Goodman, Lauren Haire, Sade Malloy, Sara Miles, Holly Morgan, Teal Norman, Molly O’Brien, Noelle Paul, Sarah Ralston, Marissa Shaw, Jason Snavely, Zack Strier and Brandon Wong.

NewsWatch is directed by Mark Lodato, who worked as a television reporter and anchor for stations across the country prior to coming to the Cronkite School in 2006. Lodato also was nominated for an Emmy for work he did in 2006 while an investigative reporter at KPHO-TV in Phoenix.

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences hosts and sponsors the Emmy Awards for news and documentary, technology and engineering, community service, sports, business and financial reporting as well as other categories.

ASU Cronkite students are now appearing weekly on a network television affiliate in one of the nation’s largest media markets.

Under a new partnership between the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and ABC15 in Phoenix, the station airs a Cronkite News Service student report each week on its 6 p.m. Saturday newscast.

KNXV-TV started the partnership with packages by Ian Lee on the California wildfires and on the presidential campaign as well as a story by student Jeff Mitchell on the border patrol.

Sue Green, the former managing editor at ABC15 who now serves as director of the broadcast news division of Cronkite News Service, said she believes that this is the only place in the country where college students’ news reports are appearing on a network affiliate in a major market. Phoenix is the 12^th largest media market in the United States.

“Channel 15 has been very supportive of our broadcast students,” Green said. “They have helped us out with live shots, and they have used video from our stories. Now they are taking it one step further by airing complete packages.”

ABC15 Managing Editor Andy Ramirez said the station will benefit from the additional news coverage, and the students will get unparalleled exposure. “We’re committed to the Cronkite School, and we want to make sure that young journalists achieve their dreams,” Ramirez said.

Cronkite students already have their best TV work featured nationally on MSNBC under a partnership with the national cable news network for its “MSNBC on Campus” program.

In the first half of the 2007-08 season, the Sun Devils have managed to rewrite ASU's record book, altering 19 events with 28 new times entering the top 10 lists.

Four ASU records have already been broken this year. The women's 400 free relay team of Caitlin Andrew, Jen Beckberger, Lindsey BrownJess Perazzo topped the previous record held by Andrew, Beckberger, Brown and Ellis Schieman that was set last season with a new school record time of 3:15.96. The same team also broke the 200 free record, which had also been previously set last season. The new bar is set at 1:29.87. and

Andrew also set her own individual record in the 200 backstroke, shattering the previous record set by Camilla Johansson in 1999. Andrew's time of 1:56.77 was set at the Texas Invitational. CJ Nuess also broke a school record. He handily broke the previous record set by Gal Nevo by clocking in a time of 3:44.51 at the Texas Invitational.

Although new school records have not been set in these events, the top 10 list in them has been shaken up. Three new times were introduced in the top 10 all-time list in the 50 freestyle. Jen Beckberger improved on ASU third best all-time with a time of 22.64 to tie for the second fastest 50 free time ever. Perazzo moved up from ninth all time to fourth after swimming a 22.74 at the Texas Relays. Brown also introduced herself to ASU's record-books by holding ASU's tenth fastest time, 23.34.

Beckberger, Perazzo and Brown also had new times entered in the 100 freestyle. Perazzo and Beckberger are now two and three with times of 49.01 and 49.25 respectively. Brown now holds the eighth fastest time with a time of 50.38. Beckberger also improved her third ASU all-time fastest 200 free time with a time of 1:47.58.

Ashton Aubry had her named entered into the all-time list in two events. The sophomore now holds ASU's third-fastest all-time 100 butterfly with a time of 53.32 and in the 200 butterfly 1:59.96. In the 200 backstroke, Jamie Martinez now holds the eighth best time at 56.25. Martinez also added her name to the 100 and 200 fly lists. She is tenth n the 100 fly with a time of 55.57 and is now ASU's fifth fastest all-time 200 fly swimmer after clocking in a time of 2:00.13.

Touching in at 2:00.95 at the Texas Invitational, Ashley Evans improved her position as ASU's seventh fastest 200 IM swimmer to fourth all-time. The women's team of Beckberger, Sara McDaniel, Andrew and Perazzo now also hold the fifth fastest 200 medley relay time after clocking in a time of 4:19.56.

On the men's side, Nuess made the biggest impact on the record-book. His time of 4:20.81 in the 500 free puts him at seventh overall while his time of 15:01.63 in the 1650 free places him now at third overall. Nuess also now holds ASU's second-fastest 200 breaststroke time ever with a time of 1:58.93 and ASU's fourth fastest 200 IM time at 1:47.63. He also added his name to the 200 fly all-time list with a time of 1:47.79.

Ante Cvitkovic and Sean Boyle put their name in two top 10 lists. After clocking in times of 48.69 in the 100 back and 1:46.09 in the 200 back, Cvitkovic is now ASU's seventh fastest 100 back and fifth fastest 200 back all-time swimmer. Boyle now holds ASU's ninth fastest 100 fly time with a time of 48.21. He is also now sixth all time on the 200 fly list after touching in at 1:47.32 at the Texas Invitational. John Dwelley also added his name to the 100 fly list. With a time of 47.97, he is now sixth overall.

The Sun Devils return to action on January 5 when the men host Washington and the women host Oregon State, Purdue and Washington.

Keeping with Sun Devil baseball tradition, the 2008 Arizona State baseball schedule will once again be among the toughest in the nation. Announced today by 14th-year head coach Pat Murphy, the 2008 schedule features 26 games against teams that were ranked, 13 games against teams advancing to a Super Regional and seven games against teams advancing to the College World Series in 2007.

"The schedule is always meant to be a great challenge and to prepare us for our ultimate goal," Pat Murphy said. "You get no bonus for rankings or win/loss records - it's all about being ready in the Pac-10."

The non-conference slate includes match-ups with UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton, both of whom went to Omaha last season, as well as Super Regional participant and Big Ten Champion Michigan and Super Regional participant and Missouri Valley regular season champion Wichita State. SEC Champion Vanderbilt, who spent most of 2007 as the nation's #1 team, and Arkansas will also face the Devils in 2008.

ASU's 56-game regular season schedule will begin on February 22nd, as the NCAA mandated uniform start date takes effect this season. The new rules state that the 2008 season can begin the final weekend in February. In prior years, the season could begin in late January. The new schedule will create more mid-week games, all of which will begin at 6:30 p.m. in an effort to make them more family friendly. The new uniform opening day should also create more exposure and excitement leading into the start of the season.

"The new format creates some difficulty in scheduling, since the closest non-conference Division I-A opponent is 250 miles away," said Murphy. "But we are committed to scheduling the best games available."

The leader in West Coast attendance in 2007, Arizona State will once again have one of the nation's best home field advantages. Thanks to tremendous fan support that creates a special atmosphere at home, the 2007 Pac-10 champions went 35-3 at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark, and in 2008 they will play 38 home games, beginning Friday night, February 22nd against Miami, Ohio.

The home portion of the non-conference schedule includes meetings with SEC powerhouses Vanderbilt (Feb. 23) and Arkansas (March 11-12). The series against the Razorbacks in Tempe is the beginning of a home and home series with Arkansas, with ASU set to travel to Fayetteville in 2009. Michigan will also play in Tempe on February 28th. Arizona State will also welcome 2007 NCAA Tournament participants Troy (March 14-16) and Wofford (April 1-2) to Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark in 2008.

The Sun Devils will also face some non-conference powers on the road this season. ASU and Cal State Fullerton will hook up at Goodwin Field in Fullerton on April 22nd and 23rd. The meeting is the beginning of a home and home series that will see the Titans come to Tempe in 2009. Arizona State will also face Wichita State at Eck Stadium in Wichita on May 7th.

Arizona State will also host three tournaments this season, featuring some of the top teams in the country. The DeMarini Invitational will be held at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark from February 22nd to the 24th, and will feature the Sun Devils along with Miami, Ohio, Vanderbilt and the two-time defending National Champion Oregon State Beavers. For the sixth straight year, ASU will co-host the Coca-Cola Classic at the Surprise Recreation Campus. The Devils will be joined by Michigan, Hawai'i and Portland from February 28th through March 2nd. The tournament, which is held at the Spring Training facility of the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals, is regarded as one of the best run tournaments in the nation thanks to the tireless efforts and support of the City of Surprise and the staff of the Surprise Recreation Campus. Arizona State will also host the Bob Schaefer Memorial Tournament in Tempe from March 20th to March 23rd. The tournament features ASU, Northern Colorado, Florida International and UC Irvine.

In addition to the difficult non-conference schedule, the 2007 Pac-10 Champion Sun Devils will have to navigate through one of the toughest conferences in all of college baseball. Conference foes who travel to Tempe include USC (March 28-39), Oregon State (April 18-20), Cal (April 25-27) and Washington (May 16-18). ASU will travel to Stanford (April 4-5), Washington State (April 11-13) and 2007 NCAA Super Regional team UCLA (May 2-4) before wrapping up the regular season against in-state rival and 2007 NCAA Tournament participant Arizona (May 22-24).

Arizona State and Arizona will continue to play a non-conference game, with the Wildcats coming to Tempe on March 18th.

ASU will be seeking their ninth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament, which will get underway on May 30th. Super Regionals will follow from June 6th to 9th with the College World Series at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska beginning June 14th.

Season ticket renewals are currently being processed, with the deadline to renew being December 28th. New season ticket sales begin January 7th, with single game ticket sales beginning February 19th.

Arizona State Sun Devil baseball continues to be the best entertainment value in town, as ASU begins its quest for its 21st trip to the College World Series in Omaha and its sixth national championship. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 480-727-0000 or log on to TheSunDevils.com.

The No. 18/19 Arizona State women's basketball team (5-4) begins a four-game homestand on Monday morning (11 a.m.) when it hosts Fresno State (2-7) at Wells Fargo Arena.

Monday's game is being billed as "Sparky's Kids to College Field Trip Presented by Wells Fargo," as several thousand children from elementary schools around the Valley will be attending the game. The purpose of the "Field Trip" is to expose elementary-aged children to a university campus and intercollegiate athletics. Students attending Monday's game will be provided with a curriculum workbook which will include age-appropriate lessons, covering the range of grade levels. Last season marked the first time that the ASU women's basketball program hosted the event, which proved to be a big success. More than 5,000 school children were on hand last January to see the Sun Devils defeat UCLA 92-52.

For the second time in as many weeks the Sun Devils find themselves looking to bounce back from a loss after dropping a hard-fought 73-69 decision to Texas Tech on Thursday night. The Sun Devils fell despite committing a season-low 10 turnovers. Jill Noe led ASU with season bests in both points (20) and rebounds (10) while also adding five assists and two steals.

Senior guard Reagan Pariseau returned to the lineup on Thursday after missing the last two-plus games with an ankle injury. Pariseau's play provided the Sun Devils with a spark several times against the Lady Raiders as she accounted for a season-best nine points to go along with three assists and no turnovers. Pariseau connected on all four of her field goal attempts, including a three-point FG that got ASU within striking distance (70-69) with nine seconds remaining in the game.

Fresno State is coming off a 43-point win (93-50) over Cal-State Bakersfield on Saturday, its largest margin of victory since 1996. The Bulldogs are led by senior guard Tierre Wilson, who is averaging a team-high 17.9 points per game. Named a preseason All-WAC performer by the league's coaches and media, Wilson went over 1,000 points for her career in Saturday's win.

RADIO

Arizona State's game vs. Fresno State can be heard live on KAZG 1440 AM and on the sundevilsportsnetwork.com (subscription-based service). Pre-game coverage will begin at 10:30 a.m. Valley veteran broadcaster Jeff Munn is in his fourth year as the voice of ASU women's basketball.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

• Monday's game is the first of four consecutive the Sun Devils will play at home. On Thursday ASU will conclude the non-conference portion of its schedule when it hosts current No. 20/23 Texas. Next week the Sun Devils will open up Pac-10 play when they host UCLA (Dec. 28) and USC (Dec. 30).

• The Sun Devils are 21-2 when coming off a loss since the start of the 2004-05 season. Since 2005 the Sun Devils are 16-3 in December games. Their only losses in December games during that span came at Stanford last season and versus current No. 14 Auburn and Texas Tech earlier this month.

• Currently with 1,037 career points, Jill Noe needs two points to move past Olivia Jones (1981-83) for 13th place on ASU's all-time scoring list. Noe has led ASU over its last four contests, averaging 15.5 points per game while connecting on 53.5 percent of her shots (23-43), including nearly 48 percent from three-point range (10-21). Noe is also averaging 5.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.8 steals during that span.

• Junior Lauren Lacey is averaging 13.3 points and 7.3 rebounds in ASU's last four games. During that span Lacey has set new career highs in both scoring (20 points vs. Auburn on Dec. 2) and rebounds (10 rebounds vs. UC Davis on Dec. 9). Fellow junior post Sybil Dosty (7.3 rpg) is tied with Lacey as the team's leader in rebounding over the last four games. Dosty has had a season-best nine boards twice during that time frame.

• The Sun Devils are averaging 21.3 assists in each of their last four games, including a season-best 26 assists vs. Gonzaga on Nov. 30. Junior Briann January (4.8 apg) and Noe (4.5 apg) have combined to average more than nine assists per game over that duration.

• Despite their regional proximity, this will be only the second time that ASU and Fresno State have met. ASU was victorious in the only prior meeting, a 68-52 win at Fresno in 2005.

EARLY SEASON NOTES

• The 38 points Yale scored on Nov. 19 represented the 10th time since the start of last season that ASU has held an opponent under 50 points.

• In ASU's 66-42 win over UC Santa Barbara (Nov. 17), Jill Noe tallied 12 points, seven rebounds and eight assists and narrowly missed becoming the first Sun Devil to record a triple-double since Ryneldi Becenti in 1992. For Noe, it is the third such time she has flirted with the feat. Last season she recorded 17 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds in a win over Northern Arizona and during her freshman season she posted 17 points, nine assists and nine rebounds in a win over Denver.

• Through ASU's first nine games junior Briann Janaury is first on the team in scoring (11.0 ppg), assists per game (4.4 apg), steals per game (2.3 spg), made free throws (38) and attempts (44) and free throw percent (.864). Junior Lauren Lacey is first on the team in rebounding (6.6 rpg).

THOMPSON NAMED PAC-10 PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Arizona State junior center Kirsten Thompson was named the Pac-10 Women's Basketball Player of the Week according to an announcement by Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen on Dec. 10.

In ASU's 77-56 win over UC Davis on Sunday Thompson was perfect from the floor, connecting on all seven of her shot attempts and both free throws to lead the Sun Devils with a season-high 16 points, which fell three short of her career best. Thompson, who also added five rebounds and three assists while playing a season-high 19 minutes, scored 10 of her 16 points in the first half in helping the Sun Devils build a 34-17 halftime lead.

IT'S BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE

The Sun Devils had 21 assists in their 77-56 win over UC Davis on Dec. 9. It was the 14th time going back to the start of last season that ASU has recorded 20 or more assists in a single game. Earlier this season ASU tallied a season-best 26 assists in its win over Gonzaga (Nov. 30). Currently ranked No. 8 in the nation in assists per game, the Sun Devils have averaged 21.3 assists in their last four outings. ASU has finished in the nation's top five in assists each of the last two seasons, finishing second last season (18.1 apg) and fourth in 2005-06 (18.4 apg).

JANUARY NAMED TO PRESEASON ALL-PAC-10 TEAM

Arizona State junior guard Briann January was one of five players named to the preseason All-Pac-10 team.

The team was chosen by members of the conference's women's basketball media. January is coming off a season in which she earned All-Pac-10 honorable mention honors in helping lead ASU to a school record 31 wins and its first Elite Eight appearance in school history. In 2006-07, the 5-8, Spokane, Wash., product finished third in the Pac-10 in steals (2.1 per game), fourth in assists (4.0 per game) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.67), and sixth in free throw percentage (81.7). A starter in 34 games, January concluded her sophomore campaign first on the team in both assists and steals and second in both scoring (10.2 points per game) and free throw percentage.

Thus far in 2007-08, January has wasted no time in picking up where she left off last season. She is currently first on the team in scoring (11.0 ppg), assists per game (4.4 apg), steals per game (2.3 spg), made free throws (38) and attempts (44) and free throw percent (.864).

SUN DEVILS WORK THROUGH EARLY SEASON INJURIES

When senior guard Reagan Pariseau suffered an ankle injury in the first half of ASU's eventual win over Gonzaga on Nov. 30, it represented one of the recent bumps and bruises the Sun Devils have encountered to start the season. Sun Devil players have already missed a total of 12 games because of injury this season.

Dymond Simon, a member of the Pac-10's All-Freshman Team last season, was limited early in the season as she returned from a torn ACL she suffered in January. Three times this season Simon has scored in double figures, including a season-best 17 points in ASU's win over Yale on Nov. 19. Simon was having a strong outing against Texas Tech on Thursday, scoring 11 points in 12 minutes before being forced to leave the game after aggravating her knee injury. She would return to the game for a couple minutes before leaving again. Her status is currently day to day.

Junior post Sybil Dosty injured her knee earlier this fall and was forced to miss all of ASU's preseason practices. She averaged only 12 minutes in the first four games as she was slowly worked into the rotation. Since then, Dosty has averaged 20 minutes a game and has averaged 8.4 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 64.3 percent from the field.

Junior guard Kate Engelbrecht suffered a hand injury during the first preseason practice and was forced to miss the rest of ASU's preseason workouts and its first two games. She scored a season-high six points in ASU's win over UC Davis on Dec. 9.

Less than one week after scoring a career-best 21 points in ASU's season opening loss at North Carolina, junior guard Danielle Orsillo was diagnosed with a bone bruise on her knee. On Nov. 19, head coach Charli Turner Thorne announced that Orsillo would be out for at least one month before her is situation reevaluated.

Pariseau missed ASU's games against Auburn (Dec. 2) and UC Davis (Dec. 9) after injuring her ankle early in ASU's win over Gonzaga on Nov. 30. She returned to action on Dec. 13 at Texas Tech and made an immediate impact, scoring a season-best nine points on 4-4 shooting.

HELP IS ON THE WAY

Without question, one of the biggest challenges facing ASU coming into the 2007-08 season is figuring out how it will compensate for the loss of All-Pac-10 performers Aubree Johnson and Emily Westerberg. In addition to being responsible for a combined 23.0 points and 10.8 rebounds per game in 2006-07 the duo also gave ASU a strong inside presence on both ends of the floor.

Enter junior transfers Sybil Dosty and Lauren Lacey. Biding their time since they last played a meaningful game in the spring of 2006, Dosty and Lacey were two players who were very eager to get on the floor and help the Sun Devils ascend to the top. Both players got to take a bit of a test drive with their teammates in real competition during ASU's trip to Italy last May in which the Sun Devils squared off against four different teams from around the country.

Originally a native of Tucson, Dosty spent her first two collegiate seasons at the University of Tennessee where she was part of a Final Four team her freshman year. Lacey, who transferred from the University of Minnesota, was also part of two squads that went to the NCAA Tournament.

Through ASU's first nine games, Lacey is third on ASU in scoring (10.7 ppg) and first in rebounding (6.6 rpg). She led ASU with a career-best 19 points in its win over Iowa on Nov. 23 and would surpass that total with 20 against Auburn (Dec. 2). She would add a career-best 10 rebounds vs. UC Davis on Dec. 9. The leader in field goal percentage during her two seasons at Tennessee, Dosty has connected on 55.8 percent of her shots (24-43). She tied her career-best with 12 points in ASU's 60-58 win over Iowa on Nov. 30 and then would surpass that mark with 16 points in ASU's 78-60 win over Gonzaga on Nov. 30. She has tallied a season-best nine rebounds twice in ASU's last four games.

SUN DEVILS WELCOME THE RETURN OF SIMON

In addition to gaining the services of Dosty and Lacey, the Sun Devils will also be benefiting from the return of sophomore Dymond Simon, who was named to the Pac-10's All-Freshman Team last season despite missing the second half of the Pac-10 season with a torn ACL.

"Dymond is a very special player who is critical in terms of our desires to take the next step as a program," says ASU head coach Charli Turner Thorne. "I think one of the strongest testaments to her ability as a player is the fact that the conference coaches still voted her onto the All-Freshman Team despite her missing the entire second half of the Pac-10 season."

Prior to getting injured last season, Simon showed flashes of the brilliance that she used to helped lead her high school team to a pair of state championships. At the time of her injury, Simon was third on the team in scoring (9.7 points per game) and second on the team in steals (1.6 per game). Two weeks before getting injured, Simon was named the Pac-10 Player of the Week after averaging 20 points, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals in ASU's wins vs. Washington State and Washington.

According to Turner Thorne, Simon has found ways to improve her game even while recovering from the injury.

"We always challenge players when they are out to work on something more than maybe they otherwise would be able to. True to Dymond and her amazing commitment to be the best basketball player she can be, she worked tirelessly on her shot and that is what people are going to notice right away. Her shot is fluid and it looks great."

Simon has scored in double figures four times this season, including a season-best 17 points in ASU's win vs. Yale (Nov. 19).

WHAT'S NEXT FOR CHARLI?

With its 67-49 win over Bowling Green in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2007 NCAA Tournament the Arizona State women's basketball team clinched its first ever appearance in the Elite Eight of the "The Big Dance." It was the latest `first time …' for the Sun Devils under head coach Charli Turner Thorne, who continues to build on what is the most successful period in the program's history. Since the 2004-05 season the Sun Devils are 81-23, including a 6-3 record in NCAA Tournament games the last three seasons.

In 2005-06 Turner Thorne had the Sun Devils in the Top 10 of both polls for the first time in 22 years. If the figure `22 years' sounds familiar it's because in 2004-05 Turner Thorne led the Sun Devils to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 22 years. After leading the Sun Devils to a 25-7 in 2005-06 Turner Thorne was recognized being named the Russell Athletic/Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Region 8 Coach of the Year.

Now in her 12th season in Tempe, Turner Thorne has more than established the Sun Devils as one of the teams to watch on an annual basis not only in the Pac-10 Conference, but also across the country. In fact, since the 2000-01 season the Sun Devils have won the second-highest number of overall games (162) in the Pac-10 Conference.

SUN DEVILS SIGN THREE

A pair of explosive posts from Southern California and a top guard from the Pacific Northwest, highlight the 2008 Arizona State women's basketball signing class announced by head coach Charli Turner Thorne. Kimberly Brandon, Alex Earl and Janae Fulcher signed letters of intent to study and compete at Arizona State.

A 6-2 forward, Brandon is an exceptional talent, whose versatility and explosiveness will benefit the Sun Devils right away in 2008-09. Brandon, who is ranked the No. 92 overall player in the country (No. 22 at her position) by hoopgurlz.com, will be coming to ASU from Chatsworth High School in Chatsworth, Calif., where in 2006-07 she averaged a double-double in points and rebounds in leading her team to the City Section title while earning all-league honors along the way.

A 5-10 guard, Earl has been a four-year member of the varsity squad at Southridge High School in Beaverton, Ore. The team leader in assists, steals and three-point field goals, Earl was named third-team all-state and first team all-league in 2007 following a season in which she helped lead the Skyhawks to their third consecutive 6A state title. A 2006-07 Street & Smith's Prep All-American Honorable Mention selection, Earl also earned all-league notice in 2005 and 2006, was named to the Oregon City `End of the Trail' All-Tournament Team in 2005 and 2006 (also earned MVP honors in '06), and played on Team Concept during the 2007 Nike Elite Regional Camp. In addition to her ability on the hardwood, Earl was also a four-year starter on Southridge's soccer team, earning second-team all-state honors in 2005 and first-team all-league honors in 2005 and 2007. Earl, whose father has coached basketball, was also a U.S. National Team member in 2004 and was on the Olympic Development Team for the state of Oregon for three years.

Fulcher will be coming to Tempe from Country Day High School in La Jolla, Calif., where the 6-3 post has averaged 9.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game during her first three years on the varsity squad. Named team captain for the 2007-08 season, Fulcher is ranked the No. 15 post player by Girls Basketball Report in addition to being named an honorable mention All-American by The Sporting News and a McDonald's All-American nominee. Last season Fulcher averaged 12.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game on her way to a bevy of honors, including All-CIF Div. IV First Team, UT All-San Diego Section First Team, Hall of Champions All-County First Team and Street & Smith's All-American Honorable Mention. Country Day would go on to be Coastal League champions and CIF SD Section Div. IV champions. In 2005-06, Fulcher nearly averaged a double-double every game with 9.9 points and 9.5 rebounds every time she stepped on the floor. She would go on to be named All-League First Team Coastal South, All-CIF Div. IV First Team and UT All-San Diego Section First Team in helping lead Country Day to Coastal League and CIF SD Section Div. IV titles before finishing as a Southern Regional runner-up.

UP NEXT

The Sun Devils will face their fourth ranked opponent of the season on Thursday evening (6:30 p.m.) when they take on the No. 20/23 Texas Longhorns.

TEMPE, Ariz. — Fans attending Monday morning's Arizona State-Fresno State women's basketball game at Wells Fargo Arena will be able to park in either the Stadium parking structure (located across the street from Sun Devil Stadium and Wells Fargo Arena) or in the Packard Drive parking structure (located on the east side of Wells Fargo Arena.

Monday's game time is scheduled for 11 a.m. The game will be attended by several thousand kids from elementary schools around the Valley as a part of "Sparky's Kids to College Field Trip Presented by Wells Fargo."

The purpose of the "Field Trip" is to expose elementary school-aged children to a university campus and intercollegiate athletics. Students attending Monday's game will be provided with a curriculum workbook which will include age-appropriate lessons, covering the range of grade levels.

ASU's 77-55 win over No. 17 Xavier on Saturday is the largest win over a ranked team in school history. The previous best was ASU's 20-point win at top-ranked Oregon State (87-67) on March 7, 1981.

Margin, Score, Date
(22)–ASU 77, #17 Xavier 55 (Dec. 15, 2007)
(20)–#5 ASU 87, @#1 Oregon State 67 (March 7, 1981)
(19)–ASU 89, #5 San Francisco 70 (Dec. 3, 1977)
(18)–ASU 71, #6 Colorado 53 (Dec. 21, 1962)
(17)–ASU 79, #13 Michigan 62 (Nov. 22, 1994)
(17)–ASU 95, #3 USC 78 (Dec. 1, 1971)
(16)–ASU 88, #10 Arizona 72 (Jan. 23, 2002)

OTHER NOTES
*ASU has now won its past two games against ranked foes, as its last game against a ranked opponent was on Feb. 18, 2007, and it topped No. 22 USC 68-58.

*ASU's first non-conference home win over a ranked opponent since No. 14 Arizona State beat No. 7 Ohio State 71-58 on Dec. 20, 1980.

*ASU's highest-ranked non-conference win since 97-90 win over seventh-ranked Maryland on Nov. 23, 1994.

*It marked Xavier's worst defeat since an 80-49 loss to La Salle in the 1999-2000 season.

*ASU's 59.5 shooting percentage is the best against Xavier since Elite Eight-bound St. Joseph's in 2003-2004 shot 60 percent. That St. Joseph's team was undefeated for all of the regular season.

*ASU held Xavier to just over 30 precent shooting percentage, the worst since it shot 29.8 percent at UC in 2004-05.

*The win was Herb Sendek's 31st against a ranked team.

COACH SENDEK'S WINS AGAINST RANKED TEAMS (31)
Date~ Score
Dec. 15, 2007 ~ Arizona State 77, #17 Xavier 55
Feb. 18, 2007 ~ Arizona State 68, #22 USC 58
Jan. 10, 2006 ~ NC State 78, @#15 Boston College 60
Dec. 30, 2005 ~ NC State 79, #12 George Washington 58
Mar. 20, 2005 ~ NC State 65, #13 UCONN 62 (NCAA Tournament at Worcester, Mass.)
Mar. 11, 2005 ~ NC State 81, #3 Wake Forest 65 (ACC Tournament at Greensboro)
Feb. 16, 2005 ~ NC State 82, #22 Maryland 63
Jan. 16, 2005 ~ NC State 76, #8 Georgia Tech 68
Mar. 6, 2004 ~ NC State 81, @#11 Wake Forest 70
Feb. 25, 2004 ~ NC State 79, @#18 Georgia Tech 69
Feb. 15, 2004 ~ NC State 78, #1 Duke 74
Feb. 4, 2004 ~ NC State 73, #16 Wake Forest 68
Jan. 24, 2004 ~ NC State 76, #11 Georgia Tech 72
Mar. 15, 2003 ~ NC State 87, #9 Wake Forest 83 (ACC Tournament at Greensboro)
Jan. 22, 2003 ~ NC State 80, #3 Duke 71
Mar. 9, 2002 ~ NC State 86, #2 Maryland 82 (ACC Tournament at Charlotte)
Feb. 6, 2002 ~ NC State 85, #8 Virginia 68
Jan. 5, 2002 ~ NC State 81, @#4 Virginia 74
Dec. 8, 2001 ~ NC State 82, @#9 Syracuse 68
Feb. 7, 2001 ~ NC State 90, #6 Virginia 80
Jan. 6, 2000 ~ NC State 68, #12 Maryland 66
Dec. 1, 1999 ~ NC State 61, @#19 Purdue 59
Dec. 23, 1998 ~ NC State 62, #23 Oklahoma 58 (San Juan, P.R.)
Feb. 21, 1998 ~ NC State 86, @#1 North Carolina 72
Dec. 4, 1997 ~ NC State 71, @#22 Georgia Tech 69 (OT)
Nov. 11, 1997 ~ NC State 47, #19 Georgia 45 (Meadowlands)
Mar. 8, 1997 ~ NC State 65, #22 Maryland 58 (ACC Tournament at Greensboro)
Mar. 7, 1997 ~ NC State 66, #7 Duke 60 (ACC Tournament at Greensboro)
Feb. 17, 1997 ~ NC State 60, @#4 Wake Forest 59 (OT)
Feb. 1, 1997 ~ NC State 58, #7 Clemson 54
Mar. 16, 1995 ~ Miami (Ohio) 71, #15 Arizona 62 (NCAA Tournament @Dayton)

By Matt Storey, ASU Media Relations

With a stellar performance at both ends of the floor, the ASU men's basketball team knocked off No. 17 Xavier with a resounding 77-55 victory Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena.

The Sun Devils shot 59.5 percent from the field, and they held the Musketeers to just 30.6 percent, including 5-24 from outside the arc.

"A good win for our team," head coach Herb Sendek said. "We really had a good week of practice, and I really believe that paid dividends for us. It's good to see that the work this week paid off."

Sendek credited his team's defense in ASU's 22-point win, the biggest margin of victory over a ranked opponent in school history.

"I thought the key was our defense," Sendek said. "I thought our defensive effort was as good as it had been."

Freshman guard Ty Abbott led the Sun Devils with 19 points on 7-10 shooting, and he made four of his five 3-pointers in the second half to help ASU put away the victory.

Sophomore guard Jerren Shipp added 17 points and seven rebounds despite hyper-extending his knee earlier in the week.

"Jerren really demonstrated his toughness," Sendek said. "He essentially went through the week without practicing, and he came out and gave us a huge lift. He really gave our team an edge."

Freshman guard James Harden had 16 points while junior forward Jeff Pendergraph had nine points and 12 rebounds, eight in the second half.

"It's definitely the first really big step in establishing that identity that we've been talking about," Pendergraph said of the win. "We knew that if we were to play our game how we were supposed to, we could play with anyone."

The Sun Devils held Xavier's two senior guards, Drew Lavender and Stanley Burrell, to just 21 combined points on 5-21 shooting, and they also out-rebounded the Musketeers 34-30.

The game did not start out well for ASU, as Xavier jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead in less than two minutes behind an alley-oop dunk and consecutive 3-pointers, forcing Sendek to call a quick timeout.

"I wasn't very happy at that timeout, because a couple of the things they got us on were things that we had rehearsed the most," Sendek said. "I think what really made my hair stand up on my head was that we had gone over some of that stuff so many times, and we still got caught with our pants down, so to speak."

However, the Sun Devils responded with a 12-3 run from there to take their first lead of the game.

"We've been there before, with Illinois, so we knew we had to play together," Abbott said. "We worked on that all week."

After a 7-0 run by Xavier, ASU went on a 15-2 run of its own and never trailed again the rest of the way.

The Sun Devils led by five at halftime, and they quickly increased their lead to 13 behind three 3-pointers in the first five minutes of the second half. In total, ASU made seven of its 11 3-point attempts in the second half.

The win was ASU's second straight over a ranked opponent, dating back to last season's 68-58 win over No. 22 USC on Feb. 18, 2007.

"It says that ASU, they're going to be one of those teams when you play them, it's going to be a game and you've got to be ready for 40 minutes," Pendergraph said of what this game showed about his team.

The Sun Devils return to action Tuesday, when they host Montana State at 7 p.m.

ASU’s computational mathematical sciences program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will power a new set of undergraduate research projects beginning in January with a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation.

The program, targeting juniors majoring in computational mathematical sciences, will initially offer interdisciplinary research experiences involving weather and climate forecasting, environmental fluid dynamics, math biology applications, and the efficiency of complex supply chain models.

ASU is one of only 11 U.S. institutions that have an undergraduate computational mathematics program. Professor Eric Kostelich, the grant’s principal investigator, says this five-year grant is designed to prepare undergraduate students for graduate research and full-time jobs.

He notes that the Phoenix metropolitan area is a growing technology market, with companies like Intel®, Freescale Semiconductor and Honeywell, and that the grant program anticipates establishing a pipeline so students who graduate are prepared for full-time work and internship opportunities.

“I’m hoping this grant will also help Arizona in terms of its competitiveness in the technology field,” he adds.

At the same time, the grant will reinforce the department of mathematics and statistics’ strong interdisciplinary focus through research opportunities that combine computational mathematics with science.

“Today, mathematics is deviating from the traditional and moving toward an interdisciplinary approach. By combining math and the physical or life sciences, students are able to tackle a problem from different angles,“ says associate professor Bruno Welfert, the grant’s co-principal investigator.

“The goal of this program is for students to have two, one-year sequences in some physical or life science that can be applied to their research,” Welfert says.

“Cutting edge applications are very collaborative,” adds Kostelich. “If you look, for example, at how to make an MRI machine better, you have to use physics, computer science, engineering, all different disciplines working together to make one machine. With our interdisciplinary curriculum, students can answer questions to common problems and create better applications.”

In the second year of their project, students will continue their research studies as well as mentor incoming students. Each student will be expected to write an honors thesis or research paper and present his or her work at an appropriate conference.

“Part of the idea is to combine all aspects of coursework into an integrated environment where students are going to feel comfortable using ideas from mathematics, computer science and science and have the opportunity to apply those ideas during two summer sessions with faculty,” says Welfert.

That integrated environment will include an open office space area where students can interact and share ideas while working on their research, explains Kostelich.

They also will take advantage of ASU’s tremendous resources, like the Fulton High Performance Computing Initiative, which offers world class computing resources to the researchers and students in the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, and the Decision Theater, a high-tech laboratory that combines advanced methodologies in visualization, simulation and cognitive sciences.

“The Fulton High Performance Computing Initiative is not what you find at a typical four-year university. It is a lasting legacy that provides us with an opportunity to think creatively on how we might use this remarkable gift,“ Kostelich says.

“We want to show the country the ‘new math degree,’ taking traditional ideas from 50 years ago and leveraging them with new developments, sciences, and applications of mathematics developed in recent decades; showing students first-hand how they are applied,” he adds.

“Mathematics students will always be in demand because of their background and training,” says Welfert. “That is something important to note. With a math degree, you can do anything you want.”

What he did during the off time:
I had some finals and some school work. I did get a chance to go home and see my family a bit. I helped my grandma decorate and put some Christmas lights up; it was fun to go home.

On how he feels physically:
I feel pretty good. My body feels good. I feel like my thumb feels the best it's going to feel. Obviously it's not going to be 100 percent until I take some time off after the season, but it feels pretty good.

On playing Texas:
I think its going to be a good challenge for us. Texas is a good team and they're also a great program with a good tradition. They've been in a lot of big games. They know what they're doing. I'm sure it's as good of an opportunity it is for them as it for us. It should be a lot of fun. Texas is a good opponent.

On whether or not the team feels like the underdog:
Texas is a good team. I think people think that because they're Texas, they're going to be better than us. We'll have to prove to everybody else. We wanted to be in a BCS game and I think this a good time to prove to everybody that we should have been in a BCS game.

On the break before the bowl game:
Sometime it feels like it's a long ways away. Sometimes you feel like you get mentally out of the game, but its good to get some time off we got some time to let our bodies heal. Now it's time to lock in. You've got to really be focused in preparation for a bowl game. Other than that it's the same. Practice is the same as it was in the other games. It's probably one of the few games that you feel like you are 100 percent healthy which makes a big difference.

On his shovel passes against U of A:
The first one I threw, the touchdown, was more legitimate. Tyrice (Thompson) was open for just a split second and I had to get rid of it right then. To get the ball in the throwing motion would have taken to long so just flip it up there was much more efficient and easier. The second I probably just should have ran it. It's just part of playing the game. You have to react to certain situations and that's what I do.

On Chris McGaha and how he's improved since last season:
Everybody loves Chris. Everywhere I go, everyone I talk to, they always ask about Chris McGaha. He's just unbelievable. That catch was amazing. It was an unbelievable catch. He's ridiculous. He's a year older. Chris is still only a sophomore. Kyle Williams is only a sophomore. It's very rare those freshmen are able to play at a high level. Chris played well at times last year whereas this year he has played well at a consistent level. He's another year older. In that year you get more confident, faster, stronger.

On how McGaha has not had a touchdown:
We make fun of him everyday. He's caught a lot of balls where he's come so close. The U of A game he landed on the one-yard line. When talking to Chris about it, he wants a touchdown but he's just happy to do his part to win games for us.

On Tyrice Thompson:
Tyrice has had up and downs since he's been here. This year he's really stepped up and has done some good things for us. It was even better that in the last game of the season on his senior day, he had the opportunity to make some really big plays and that was his first touchdown of his career. He wanted that more than anything, that's why he made such a great play on the ball. The second catch was more incredible to me. If I had given him a halfway decent throw, he would have walked into the end zone. I wish we had Tyrice for a couple more years. Tyrice has grown a lot and matured over the years he's been here. This year he evolved into an emotional leader for us and a senior leader for us.

On the incredible catches made this season:
I can name a bunch: Kyle Williams against Colorado, Kyle Williams against Washington State, Chris McGaha against Washington State and U of A, Mike Jones against U of A and Cal, Brent Miller against U of A over Antoine Cason, Kyle Williams at Oregon State. There's been some amazing catches. The wide receivers and I were kind of disappointed in how we did last year as a group. One of the things they stress to themselves and I stressed to them is that there are times that you're going to want a perfect ball but there are times when you've got to make a plays for me too. With Coach Yarber they really began to understand that once the balls in the air, it's our ball, go get it. Coach Yarber made a big difference this year.

On not getting a BCS game:
That's one thing we've been able to do well all year is to move on from things that happened. If we had won one game here and there we could have controlled our own destiny but we didn't do that. We're happy to be in the Holiday Bowl and we're happy to play against a team like Texas. We're looking forward to that more than anything.

Even though the Arizona State swimming and diving teams do not compete again until the New Year, two Sun Devil swimmers are busy representing their respective countries at foreign championships. All-American Gal Nevo, who is red-shirting for the Sun Devils this season, is currently competing at the European Short Course Championships representing his native country of Israel. Transfer Vinicius Waked is currently competing in the Brazilian Winter Nationals.

Nevo, who was last year's Pac-10 Champion in the 400 IM, swam 4:11.00 in the short meter course 400 IM at the European Championships to place ninth overall. When converted to short course yards using USA Swimming Conversion Table, Nevo's time becomes 3:45.68, which would be the second fastest time swam in the NCAA this season, putting him only behind teammate CJ Nuess. Nevo also swam the 200 IM, in which his time was converted to 1:47.00 in short course yards from 1:59.00 in short course meters. Nevo placed 12th in the 200 IM.

Waked placed seventh overall in the 100 free at the Brazilian Winter Nationals. His time of 50.76 in long course meters would be converted to 43.81 in short course yards. His time would be an NCAA consideration time.

Both competitions continue through the week.

It’s no secret that the Valley is growing, but with the increase in population comes a need for those who provide basic safety in communities – namely police officers.

“Maricopa County added 129,642 new residents from July of 2005 to July 2006. That means that 260 new officers were needed,” says Scott Decker, director of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice in the College of Human Services at the West campus. “There’s a huge demand for entry-level police officers.”

Population growth also fuels a concurrent need for probation, parole and juvenile corrections officers. “There really is a ripple effect,” Decker says. “Criminal justice is one of the growth agencies.”

To meet that demand and to take advantage of areas such as the Downtown Phoenix Campus’ close proximity to law enforcement agencies, the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice is expanding operations to the Downtown Phoenix and Tempe campuses. Students will be able to take criminology courses starting this spring at both locations.

Primary components of criminal justice and criminology study include analysis of the theories, laws, policies and practices associated with the administration of justice. The curriculum focuses on the examination of social science research, critical examination of the manner in which the criminal justice system operates, and diversity concerns pertaining to the administration of justice.

“The importance of crime, criminal justice and public safety in today’s society makes it important that teachers, nurses, social workers, students of government, and most professions have a better understanding of crime and criminal justice,” Decker says.

Applying academic knowledge learned in classrooms to real-world situations will be an option for students who take advantage of internships that Decker is looking forward to establishing downtown with city, county and state agencies.

“ASU has strong partnerships with each level,” Decker says. “The Phoenix Police Department is housed downtown.”

Interns may aid working officers in areas such as accident investigations, research and grant writing, says Kevin Robinson, Phoenix Police Department assistant chief.

“That is something that we would love to do,” Robinson says. “I see the opportunities for internships throughout the organization.’’

Students who participate in internships can work up to 20 hours per week at an agency, blending the academic side of criminology with practical day-to-day work.

“It’s a real positive and vibrant learning atmosphere for our students,” Decker says. “From an agency perspective, getting to know students during an internship is one of the best ways to assess what kind of an employee they will become.”

Students will soon be able to take all of their classes downtown when additional courses are offered at the campus in about a year.

“We hope to be able to offer a full-time schedule for students who want to major in criminology and criminal justice downtown,” Decker says. Initial course offerings at the Downtown Phoenix campus include courses on the justice system and police function while classes on the justice system and gangs will be taught in Tempe.

Police, probation, corrections, parole and other officers already working in the field downtown can further their educations by taking classes nearby and working toward advanced degrees.

Taking online classes is another popular option.

“We offer most of the fourth year online,” Decker says. “The response to our online courses has been overwhelming.”

Many students view the expansion to downtown and Tempe as a positive development that will give them additional career opportunities. About 700 students are currently enrolled in criminology and criminal justice studies.

ASU launched the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice just over 13 months ago. It has since attracted more than $1 million in research grants, developed key partnerships with law enforcement agencies throughout the Valley and recently added a master’s program and a doctoral degree to its curriculum.

Decker is a nationally recognized criminologist who has authored 13 books exploring his research expertise in the areas of gangs, juvenile justice, and criminal justice policy.

For more information, go to chs.asu.edu/programs/ccj.

Stephen Des Georges
(602) 543-5220

Julie Newberg
(602) 496-1005

Some students go to college knowing exactly what they want to do in life. Others aren’t so sure.

Picking a major can be a stress-inducing matter where assistance seems hard to find. Even after choosing a major, students may discover that the field they thought sounded great isn’t the right one for them.

Discovering how students’ specific interests can relate to a major and career track can be as simple as utilizing the Kuder online assessment inventory that is free to anyone with an Arizona State University ID.

Students who are searching for the right major can take advantage of tools such as the Kuder provided by ASU’s University College that serves the university’s exploratory majors. The Kuder Career Planning System provides information about possible career choices and possibilities to explore after students answer questions about interests, skills and priorities.

After assessing interests and how those apply to specific careers, students can take the next steps to career success through University College workshops that show how they can customize Kuder information to specific majors at ASU. They can then talk to an advisor for the major, check out ASU’s new eAdvisor tool to find out what the major’s course requirements are, and discuss the chosen field with a senior in the program. ASU’s Career Services can provide networking opportunities as well as direction when it comes to composing essentials such as resumes and learning job skills.

The importance of choosing a career that matches interests is illustrated in a study in which 1,500 business school graduates were asked if they followed money or their passion when choosing employment. Eighty-three percent said money and 17 percent mentioned passion. Twenty years later, of the 101 people who were millionaires, 99% were from the group who said they followed their interests, not the money (Albion, M. (2000). Making a life, making a living. New York: Warner Books). “We focus a lot on your passions,” says Mary Dawes, University College academic and career exploration director. “Look inside first and then look at what’s out there.”

Other career discovery tools include talking to different people working in a chosen field by connecting with services such as the ASU Alumni Association’s Career Connections that puts students in contact with alumni working in their major.

“Alumni are very receptive to helping students,” Dawes says.

And University College is receptive to helping students, regardless if they’ve chosen a major or not. Students who may not have been accepted into competitive majors such as nursing can also find assistance through services such as academic advisement that can help clarify other options such as the many careers available in health care.

“We will work with any student,” Dawes says.

Students can also earn credit for clarifying or discovering a major by taking UNI 194. The course helps students decide on a major that best fits their interests or find out if the major they’ve chosen is the right one. Dawes hears how beneficial the course is from students after they’ve completed the work. “It was so worthwhile” and “You should make everybody do it,” are two of the most common comments she hears from students.

Respondents in a fall 2007 survey of 249 student participants who took UNI 194 include: “It provided very useful information for us, the students. When we felt confused, there was always help provided to help us decide what career to choose.” “This course made me realize that marine biology is the way to go.” “The Kuder assessment was very helpful.”

Coupled with academic advisement, career counseling and assessment tools, students don’t have to feel lost when they ask that all important question – “What do I want to be?”

For additional information, go to www.asu.edu/majorexploration or email majorexploration@asu.edu. Or, call (602) 496-0589

Kim Novak became involved in student risk management after tragedy struck at Texas A&M when the Texas Aggie Bonfire that students were constructing collapsed in 1999, killing 12 students and injuring 27 others.

Texas A&M established a student organization risk-management office with Novak in charge after the tragedy.

“That was a good example of learning from experience, and taking everything we learned and putting it into a preventive and proactive initiative,” Novak says. “That actually was the first office in the country in student affairs to do risk management.”

Novak has been in the field of student-risk management ever since, currently holding the position of director of student and campus community development at ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus.

Novak recently was named to a review group by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools to provide advice and recommendations on the services and programs offered by the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention (AODV).

As a review board member, she’ll work with seven other individuals from across the country to offer insight to the U.S. Department of Education concerning the center’s work. The board will review the center’s annual task plan, facilitate ties with various national associations and government agencies, monitor the quality of the center’s training and technical assistance services, and serve as advocates for the center’s role in alcohol and other drug abuse, and violence prevention on college campuses.

“I can look at policy from a practitioner’s perspective and help college campuses integrate theory into their campus environment,” Novak says. “As a member of the board, I will be looked to as the subject matter expert on violence prevention in higher education.”

The center’s work addresses issues such as binge drinking that is an increasing problem at college campuses across the country.

“Other research tells us that high-risk drinking among women is on the rise,” Novak says.

Once a problem is identified, the center works to develop initiatives to assist colleges in mitigating the risk and the high-risk behavior. Board members review this work and aid in translating information back to specific campuses.

“In some respects, comparative research shows that ASU is in a better place than other universities when it comes to alcohol use,” Novak says.

Current trends that focus on high-risk behavior in college environments include addressing the problem through environmental approaches that involve students, faculty, staff, community members and local law enforcement.

“It can’t be just about policies and rules,” Novak says. “It can’t be just about social norming. It has to be more comprehensive and multidisciplinary.”

And policies have to be understandable and easily instituted into student life.

“They (students) need to understand how to interpret the policy – but, more importantly, how to act based on our expectations,” Novak says.

This applies to areas such as student violence, a hot topic in light of this year’s shootings at Virginia Tech. Novak is looking forward to taking research that the higher education center has conducted on alcohol and other drugs and applying that model to violence prevention.

“We’re struggling as a nation to react to violence in educational settings. I believe that we need to be in the prevention business,” she says.

Novak also has completed a compendium titled “Student Risk Management in Higher Education: A Legal Compendium.” She joined forces with Art Lee, ASU’s associate general counsel, to produce the work. They reviewed documents ranging from law journal articles and theoretical papers to Web sites and student organizations.

“Based on that work, we came up with a little more than 1,200 pages of what is considered to be the best information in student risk management,” Novak says.

The work outlines strategies and provides resources for specific events and situations including student travel and transportation, residential life, student organizations, academic internships and externships, events involving minors, athletic events, sports clubs, alcohol and other drugs, and high-risk behavior and mental health issues.

“It’s been pretty exciting,” she says. “I already have a file started for compendium two.”