NOTES FROM THE ASUAA PRESIDENT
Congratulations to all of you who participated and/or organized the ASU Cares Across the Nation.  We had a merry band of volunteers locally cleaning up one of our favorite spots—A Mountain.  This was a great first overall effort and I loved the diversity of efforts and the attention to community needs.  We will seek your comments and observations to improve next year when you arrive for the conference.   Beyond the normal end of the semester activities, we are gearing up quickly for the largest commencement we have ever hosted and the first sitting president to give a commencement address at ASU.  Today was the first time our graduating students were able to reserve space. Without any advance notice, we had 1300 students reserve in the first two hours and would have had more but the sheer volume slowed the entire system.  The additional good news for those alums wishing to participate, we will be offering tickets to paid members beginning sometime next week so for those interested, they should check the alumni website for details.  I look forward to seeing you all shortly!

All the best as always,

NOTES FROM THE ASUAA ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND CONSTITUENT RELATIONS
We’re looking forward to seeing you all at the next Leadership Conference set for Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25. If you have not made your reservations just yet, please do so soon as we plan to have full participation from our Chapter leaders!  And if you can, make arrangements to take advantage of Grad Blast on Thursday, April 23 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at Old Main Lawn.  This is the culmination of our first year of Senior Year Experience programming, and this fun-filled event will feature free food, games, prizes and a TRAPEZE!  This is a great opportunity to connect with the soon-to-be alumni who will be entering the world and looking to get involved in our Chapters, Clubs and Connections after Graduation. 
The 2009 Sun Devil Football Season will soon be upon us! Please save these dates as Sparky’s Touchdown Tailgates will travel to these games: 

We will count on you to spread the word and help make these the best pre-game experience and share in the excitement of Sun Devil football with alumni, fans and friends at these tailgates!  Enjoy guest appearances by Sparky, the Spirit Squad and football legends! 

Go Devils!

UPCOMING DEADLINES AND MEETINGS

• FY 2009 Chapter End of Year Report – Due Friday, May 15
• FY 2009 Club End of Year Report – Due Friday, May 15
• This form is meant to be a review of the events and activities your chapter has completed during the 2008-2009 schedule. Each Alumni Chapter must submit an End of Year Report.
• Annual Plans: The Chapter Annual Plan for FY10 will be due by June 1, 2009. This deadline is earlier than in years past in an effort to provide an earlier turnaround time for Funding Allocations for the 2009-2010 schedule.  The new Annual Plan form will be reviewed during the Spring Leadership Conference and will be made available to all Chapter Leaders through the Online Toolkit.
• Remaining Allocated Funds for FY09: All requests to utilize Basic Operating or Signature Program Funding Allocations from this current fiscal year’s allocation for your chapter must be submitted to your chapter liaison by June 15, 2009. All requests must be submitted using a Check/Reimbursement Request form and accompanied by an itemized invoice or receipt and a completed Program Report.

If you wish to share ideas or investigate possible synergies, please contact chapter leaders at the following link:  http://www.asu.edu/alumni/chapters/findchapter.shtml.  Also, please let us know if you would like your group’s special programs listed in the next edition by e-mailing Nicole Almond Tucker at Nicole.AlmondTucker@asu.edu.

PAT'S RUN APRIL 18 - SHADOW RUNS ACROSS THE US
On April 18th, thousands of runners, walkers, volunteers and spectators will participate in the 5th Annual Pat’s Run in Tempe. This 4.2 mile run/walk celebrates the life of former ASU football star and Army Ranger, Pat Tillman. Pat’s friends and family created Pat's Run as a way to celebrate Pat's legacy while raising awareness and funds for the Pat Tillman Foundation to make a difference in the lives of others and in our community. All proceeds from the race benefit the Pat Tillman Foundation and its Leadership through Action™ initiatives.
Several ASU Alumni Chapters will host their first Pat’s Run Shadow Runs in their local areas on April 18th.

Austin, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., San Diego and New York

For more info on Pat’s Run and to register to participate in the Tempe, San Jose, or a Shadow Run near you, go to http://www.patsrun.com

ASU CARES
Thank you to everyone who participated in ASU CARES Day! On Saturday, March 21st, 14 Geographic Alumni Chapters, Clubs & Connections held volunteer projects in their local communities to show that Sun Devils can make a difference across the United States. In the Tempe area, several alumni and local chapter leaders joined staff from the ASU Alumni Association to do a special ASU Cares project on “A” Mountain.  Also, a few Academic Alumni Chapters participated in their own volunteer projects in the local Phoenix-Metro area. We appreciate all of the time and hard work that went into coordinating these events and we hope everyone who participated enjoyed the opportunity to give back and volunteer with fellow Devils! We will highlight ASU CARES Day during the Spring Leadership Conference and we look forward to doing it again next year!

SPRING LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE FOR GEO, ACADEMIC AND SPECIAL INTEREST CHATPERS - APRIL 24 & 25
Chapter leaders who have registered to attend the Spring Leadership Conference on April 24 & 25 will receive additional details and the Conference agenda the week prior to the Conference. Please bring a rough draft copy of your Chapter’s End of Year Report with you to the Spring Conference.

JUNE 2009 CAC CALL
The June CAC Call will take place on Monday, June 8th from 5:15pm – 6:15pm PST. The Committee for Alumni Constituencies meets 3 times per year via teleconference to discuss updates from ASUAA, upcoming events and programming planning tips. This is a great opportunity to share information with fellow alumni leaders. An agenda and conference call-in number will be provided the week prior to the call. Each Chapter, Club and Connection should have at least one board member participate on the call.

Thank you to everyone who participated on the January CAC Call. A full review of items discussed is available in the Online Toolkit.

SUN DEVIL SEND-OFFS
Summer is fast approaching and soon there will be a new generation of Sun Devils coming to campus, but first we need to welcome them to the ASU Family at a Sun Devil Send-Off! If you have not yet confirmed your date, time and location for the Sun Devil Send-Off in your area, please contact Trish to finalize the details TODAY! Students and their families are invited to register for their local Send-Off via the NEW Sun Devil Send-Offs website. Thanks to everyone who helps to show our newest Sun Devils the meaning of Maroon & Gold spirit at the Sun Devil Send-Offs!

SPARKY'S MEMBERSHIP MANIA
The new year for Sparky’s Membership Mania has begun! The previous competition ended during Homecoming Weekend in November. The competition winners will be announced at the Spring Leadership Conference in April. Thank you all for your participation, we truly appreciate your efforts to increase membership! The new competition will go until next Homecoming in the fall.

SUN DEVIL GENERATIONS CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
Make ASU a family affair...sign up the children in your life for Sun Devil Generations!  Sun Devil Generations creates a lifelong ASU connection by involving children in various ASU traditions and programs catering specifically to youngsters. Aimed at children from birth to eighth grade, membership nurtures the relationship between a child and ASU.  Sun Devil Generations participants will become familiar with ASU, develop a love of learning and share your affection for all things maroon and gold. Additionally, a portion of the funds raised will help the ASU Alumni Association build a legacy scholarship endowment.  Any Alumni Association member may sponsor a child in the program.  Members who sponsor children in the program do not have to be related to the participants. In order for a child to participate, the Alumni Association member sponsoring them must stay current with their Alumni Association membership dues.  Sign up your future Sun Devil today and continue the ASU tradition in your family!  Click here to sign up your child for Sun Devil Generations.



ASU WOMEN IN BUSINESS PRESENTS AN EVENING OF WINE AND NETWORKING
Join fellow ASU Alumni for an evening of networking, fine wine, and fabulous food at one of downtown Tempe's hottest spots: La Bocca!

MAROON & GOLD PROFESSIONALS MIXER, IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES WHEN SUN DEVILS CONNECT...
An exciting business collaboration, a potential new client, a job opportunity or simply, making a new friend...many good things can come your way when you go out and meet new people, especially when they're also Sun Devils! The ASU Alumni Association's new Maroon & Gold Professionals is a network for ASU graduates in the working world, providing opportunities for Sun Devils to connect with Sun Devils! This is a great opportunity to meet other alums and expand your network. Bring plenty of business cards and be prepared for an evening of great food, fun and networking.

GRAD BLAST! THURSDAY, APRIL 23RD, 3:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M., OLD MAIN LAWN, TEMPE CAMPUS
The ASU Alumni Association is hosting a Grad Blast on April 23rd to celebrate the end of semester with the graduating seniors. This carnival event will feature food, games, prizes & a TRAPEZE! ASU Alumni Constituency Leaders will be given an interactive role in this unique event. This will be a great opportunity to connect with the soon-to-be alumni who will be looking to get involved in your Chapters, Clubs and Connections after Graduation. All Constituency Leaders who will be attending the Spring Leadership Conference are strongly encouraged to participate in this event. Please be sure to book your travel for a time that will allow you to participate in this exciting event.


GOLDEN REUNION - CLASS OF 1959
The Class of 1959 is celebrating their 50th reunion May 13 and 14!  ASU graduates of 1959 were THE FIRST class to have “University” printed on their diplomas.  If you are a graduate from 1959 or know of one please visit our registration page for more information.   Printed invitations will arrive within the next two weeks.  The reunion is a wonderful opportunity for graduates to reminisce, reconnect, and see how their University has grown over the past 50 years.  The reunion includes two days of campus tours, guest speakers, commencement, wonderful meals, and the Golden Circle.


SPARKY’S TOUCHDOWN TAILGATE AT GEORGIA, SEPTEMBER 26, 2009
Planning is almost complete and we’re ready to hit the road to take on Georgia!  In addition to hosting the largest tailgate east of the Mississippi, the ASU Alumni Association will have a limited number of game tickets available.  Gold and Life members will have the first opportunity to place their orders starting May 1.  After June 1, all members (Gold, Life, and Annual) will be able to purchase tickets.  The game tickets will be offered with a ticket to Sparky’s Touchdown Tailgate.  Sparky’s Touchdown Tailgate will take place at the Classic Center in Athens which is walking distance to the stadium.  The host hotel for both the ASU Alumni Association and the Sun Devil Club is the Grand Hyatt in Atlanta.  The Grand Hyatt has extended a reduced room rate to Sun Devils starting at $115!  To reserve your room, call 1-800-233-1234 (rooms on-line will appear as sold out because they are holding them for us).  You don’t even need to rent a car!  Take the MARTA from the airport to the Grand Hyatt and board a bus to the game.  For more information, go to the Sparky’s Touchdown Tailgate web page that is dedicated to the Georgia game.  Complete the form and you’ll be the first to be notified once the registration information is live. 


JOIN THE WEB 2.0 GENERATION WITH US!
The ASU Alumni Association has set up groups on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter for graduates of ASU! Sign up today and see who you know from ASU, and who THEY know!

Join ASU's LinkedIn Group                          
Join ASU's Facebook Group                        
Tweet on ASU’s Twitter

STUDENT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (SAA) UPDATE
The Student Alumni Association (SAA) recently held their annual mud volleyball tournament, Oozeball, on Saturday, March 28. Over 100 ASU students participated and enjoyed a full day of mud, food, music, and prizes!

SAA would like to thank its event sponsors:
Hunt Construction,  Silver Mine Subs, Chipotle, Yogurtini, Tom's BBQ and Red Bull
Money raised at the event helps to support all traditions upheld by the Student Alumni Association.

For more information on how to support SAA please contact Greg Mena at 480.965.4078 or Greg.Mena@asu.edu.

MEDALLION SCHOLARS PROGRAM UPDATE
 The Medallion Scholarship Program is currently in the final stages of selecting 27 new scholars that will start in fall of 2009.  Over 240 applications were received from around the state of Arizona and reviewed by more than 40 alumni volunteers from across the country!  Selected scholars will be recognized at a banquet on Monday, May 4, 2009, at Old Main.  The ASU Alumni Association would like to thank all who have volunteered their time and effort in helping to select this new cohort of scholars!!  The Medallion Scholarship Program is funded by sales of the Sparky license plates.  $17 of the $25 of each plate goes directly to support this signature scholarship of the Alumni Association.  Get more information on Sparky plates by visiting http://www.asu.edu/alumni/support/sparkyplates.shtml.    

Briann January, Josh Spence Named Arizona State Athletes of the Week
Student-Athletes Briann January (Women's Basketball) and Josh Spence (Baseball) have been named ASU's Athletes of the Week for the week ending April 4. Both were instrumental in leading their teams to victory.  January overcame foul trouble and a sprained ankle in the second half to score 11 points and dish out a team-high six assists in ASU's 63-58 come-from-behind win over third-seeded Florida State (Mar. 23) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. January also matched her scoring high in an NCAA Tournament game with 22 points (8-10 FGs, 6-6 FTs) to go along with five assists, two steals and one block in ASU's 84-69 win over second-seeded Texas A&M in the Trenton Regional semifinal (Mar. 29).  LHP Spence recorded his first career complete game in the series opener at USC, allowing only an unearned run in the 2-1 Sun Devil victory. The Aussie lefty dominated the Trojans for all nine, recording 10 strikeouts for the second straight outing, helping the Sun Devils to a series win over the Trojans. Spence is now 6-0 on the season. …click for full story.