When we make a change at the ASU Alumni Association, our members and friends notice! We appreciate your feedback related to the changeover to our new e-newsletter format—your kudos and criticisms have been noted and you will see subtle changes in the design and format as we move forward.

This month promises to be a great one for Sun Devil alumni. At the end of October, ASU will celebrate Homecoming, and the Alumni Association will be busy hosting events during the week. We’ll remember the late great Head Football Coach Bruce Snyder at our Legends Luncheon on Oct. 30, lead the Lantern Walk up “A” Mountain (Tempe Butte) that night, and host activities on Oct. 31 during the Block Party on University Drive before the game begins. Come visit our booths and make a day of it!

—Liz Massey, Managing Editor
ASU Alumni Association


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George Diaz Jr. '96 B.A., '99 M.B.A.

Which groups or activities were you most involved in at ASU? What did you gain from that involvement?
I was working while attending ASU, so my on campus activities were limited to studying, working with my study groups and catching the occasional guest lecture or speaker.  I was born and raised in Phoenix, so I really enjoyed getting to know those folks in my study groups who were from somewhere else.

What's your favorite ASU memory?
Passing statistics!  Besides that, when I was seven or eight years old, my mom was in graduate school at ASU.  When she had a cooperative professor, I'd come to class with her and it was fun!

Tell us about your current involvement in ASU Alumni Association programs.
I'm on the board of Los Diablos alumni chapter and the Alumni Association’s board of directors.

What are the benefits of giving back to ASU through your volunteer efforts?
I truly believe that my participation with the Alumni Association’s board ensures my communities are represented at the university, not just within the Alumni Association. Los Diablos sponsors 27 scholars each year by offering them merit-based scholarships and I've gotten to know many of them well over the last six years.  I'm proud to play a role in helping them graduate and become professionals who give back to the university and the community.

How did your education at ASU prepare you for your current job or business?
My studies were writing intensive and that helped me become a better communicator. I was also required to work in teams both as an undergraduate and in graduate school.  Having an understanding of those dynamics before entering the workplace was a great advantage. Finally, my multi-disciplinary degree gave me a diverse perspective on issues.

What advice would you give to today’s ASU students?
Get out of your comfort zone, and get as many internships/externships as possible.  But make sure the experience will provide you with meaningful work before you take the assignment.

Also, never take no for an answer – always look for options.  And if you run out of options, be proud that you didn't quit. If your list of successes is longer than your failures, you're not challenging yourself.

Buy ASU coffee-table book for 50 percent off from the ASU Bookstore
The Alumni Association’s coffee-table book, “Arizona State University: Visions of a New American University,” features more than 150 breathtaking photos of ASU. You can purchase this iconic volume for half-off the retail price by ordering through the ASU Bookstore’s online shop and entering Visions09 as a promotional code during check-out. The holidays are coming … buy one for every Sun Devil on your list!
Buy the book today!

Want savings on insurance? The feeling is (Liberty) Mutual
Liberty Mutual has partnered with the ASU Alumni Association to offer a Group Savings Plus discount on auto, home and renters insurance. For more information, please contact Liberty Mutual at 1-800-867-5512 or visit www.libertymutual.com/asualumni.

Get warehouse-sized deals at Costco
Alumni Association members who purchase a Costco membership certificate online from the Alumni Association can receive special coupons worth $50!
Learn more 

Keep your pets protected with VPI Pet Insurance
Protect your pets with VPI Pet Insurance and receive an ASU Alumni Association discount!
Enroll today!

Business Card Marketplace: where Sun Devil businesses prosper
Let the more than 270,000 households to which ASU Magazine is delivered know about your company by advertising in the publication’s new Business Card Marketplace.
Get rates and sign up today!

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New grad European trip upgraded to first class!
The Alumni Association’s annual tour of Europe for recent graduates has gotten an upgrade! The European Discovery tour, slated for May 20-June 2, will include stops in London, Amsterdam, Munich, Venice, Rome, Florence, Lucerne and Paris! It's a wonderful graduation present for your favorite young Sun Devil!
Learn more about the trip

Go global with Sun Devil Destinations’ 2010 travel offerings
The Alumni Association will circle the globe in 2010, with exciting itineraries like these:
Belize & Guatemala Explorer: March 27 - April 1, 2010.
Spain Grand Journey: April 29 - May 11, 2010.
Passage of Peter the Great (Russia): July 27-Aug. 8, 2010.
View all of our 2010 trips online

Come home to homecoming and rekindle your Sun Devil connections
ASU’s Homecoming game is Saturday, Oct. 31, and the week leading up to the contest against the California Bears is packed with exciting and fun events. Here’s a brief overview of Alumni Association-sponsored events:

Super Fan Contest, through Oct. 26: Are you the ultimate Sun Devil fan? Show us! Send a photo of yourself, your child or your pet in ASU apparel and you could win a prize basket stuffed with ASU goodies!
Learn more about the contest

Legends Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Oct. 30: Join us for a tribute to the late, great Head Football Coach Bruce Snyder. Special guests will include former Sun Devil players Juan Roque and Jake Plummer, who played under Snyder, as well as players and coaches from ASU’s awesome 1969 team! RSVP

Lantern Walk, dusk, Oct. 30: Be a part of this ASU tradition that dates back to 1917! Carry a lantern to the summit of Tempe Butte to honor our alma mater with the light of a thousand candles.

Tempe campus tour, 11 a.m., Oct. 31, starts from Old Main. Alumni of the Devils’Advocates groups and others are invited to see what’s new with ASU by taking a tour led by a current Devils’ Advocate guide.

Parade and Block Party, starts 4 hours prior to game time, Oct. 31: Watch the parade floats as they move down University Drive, take the kids to visit a pumpkin patch with Sparky, and hang out with other alums at our Maroon & Gold Lounge!

Sole Devil Corner: Complete your maroon and gold wardrobe with unique Sun Devil shoes that can only be found in the Sole Devil Corner of the Alumni Association’s block party area by the Old Main fountain.  From sneakers to pumps, you’ll find a pair that fits your style.

Football Game, time TBA, Oct. 31: See ASU take on California and cheer the Sun Devils on to victory! The Alumni Association has ordered a block of tickets for young alums (under 35) to sit together. RSVP for Young Alumni section tickets

Get all the details on Homecoming events

Game watch parties rock the Sun Devil house from coast to coast
Fall across the Sun Devil nation means that out-of-state ASU fans will be holding game watching parties to cheer the football team to victory. Join the fun at a location near you!

Austin: Join us at Pluckers, 3909 S. Lamar Blvd., on Oct. 17 as the Sun Devils take on Washington. RSVP if you plan on attending!
Chicago: Watch ASU play on television at the Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St. Enjoy drink specials, raffle prizes and more!  Get game-by-game details
Denver: Game-watching parties at the Blake Street Tavern, 240 Blake Street. Information, contact Dave Kem at cambodave@asualumni.org.
Greater New York: Game-watching parties at Fat Annie’s Truck Stop, 131 W. 33rd Street (between 6th and 7th). RSVP at ny_sundevils@thesundevils.com.
Orange County: Enjoy ASU football games at Sharkeez Newport Beach, 114 McFadden Place.  For additional information, contact Chris at chrisbissonnette@aol.com.
San Diego: Football game-watching events at the East Village Tavern, 930 Market Street, San Diego, Calif. Enjoy Sun Devil-exclusive food and drink specials! Information, e-mail sandiegochapter@asualumni.org.
Seattle: Come join us at Jillian's in South Lake Union, 731 Westlake Ave N, where we will be watching all of this season's televised football games. RSVP to Sarah Warren at SarahLWarren@yahoo.com.
Old Pueblo (Tucson): Join our game-watching parties for ASU away games.  Visit our Facebook page for event day details.

Upcoming chapter events promise Sun Devil fun
Need a Sun Devil connection close to home? These geographic chapters will host get-togethers in the next few weeks.

Houston: Networking Happy Hour, 6 p.m., second Wednesday of the month, at St. Dane’s in Midtown, 502 Elgin Street. Learn more
Western Pennsylvania: German Contributions Tour and Oktoberfest, starts at noon, Saturday, Oct. 17. Tour microbreweries, learn about German immigration and influence, and end the day by watching the ASU-Washington game. RSVP
Northern California (NorCal): Sparky’s Wine & Dine Tour, Saturday, Oct. 17. Tour area wineries and enjoy a catered lunch, tour and tasting at Judd’s Hill Winery, owned by Sun Devil alum Judd Finkelstein. RSVP
Chicago: Chicago Fire soccer game, 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 22. Tickets available through Julia Enderle at jenderle@chicago-fire.com.
Additional event info

Alumni connection network adds Wisconsin outpost
The latest ASU alumni connection group is being spearheaded by alum Nate Farr in Madison, Wisconsin! If you live nearby, visit our new Web page to learn about ASU happenings in your area!
Get involved with the Wisconsin connection group

ASU’s Ostrom wins Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences
Arizona State University Research Professor Elinor Ostrom has won the 2009 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, a prize she shares with Oliver E. Williamson of the University of California at Berkeley.
Learn more

Gary Dirks to lead LightWorks solar research initiative
Arizona State University has selected Gary Dirks as director of LightWorks, a new initiative to position ASU as a leader in solar-based energy and other light-inspired research.
LightWorks to investigate artificial photosynthesis, biofuels

Congressional tour spotlights ASU’s 'green' efforts
Arizona State University’s commitment to sustainability education and innovation has attracted the interest of leaders across the nation. In late September, U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell of Arizona and Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota were briefed on ASU’s broad renewable energy portfolio and its alignment with several national initiatives to meet today’s significant energy challenges.
Research could create jobs, improve energy security

Annual Report, accomplishments memo document ASU’s “local solutions, global impact”
To document the university’s accomplishments during the 2008-09 fiscal year, ASU recently released its annual report. It also recently released a memo outlining the progress that has been made at Arizona State University on a variety of measures since Fiscal Year 2003.
Read the 2008-09 Annual Report
Read the accomplishments memo

Think boldly, act quickly with the ASU Action Network
The ASU Action Network empowers ASU alumni and Sun Devil supporters to connect with the university and other Sun Devils to augment the university's impact on real-world situations.
Learn more

Honor a Sun Devil with pioneer spirit
Recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to the Alumni Association and ASU community – nominate someone for the ASU Alumni Association’s annual Founders’ Day Awards, which will be presented at the Founders’ Day celebration on Feb. 24, 2010.
The nomination deadline is 5 p.m., Oct. 21.
Make a nomination today!

Update your info for the new alumni directory
The ASU Alumni Association and its partner Harris Connect are working together to develop a comprehensive printed directory. To update your information, please contact Harris Connect directly at (877) 596-9182 or e-mail customerservice@harrisconnect.com. The directory update process ends Nov. 2.
Questions about our directory?

Devil 2 Devil Challenge rewards Alumni Association ambassadors
Share the benefits of membership with friends and win a Sparky plush toy, meal certificates, even a two-night stay at Tempe Mission Palms hotel. Hurry, this challenge ends on Oct. 31!
How it works
What you can win

Survey said … these Sun Devils won!
Thanks to the more than 3,000 Sun Devil alums who participated in the Alumni Association’s recent online survey. Survey respondents answered questions aimed at helping us improve the programs and services the association provides to ASU graduates.

We’ll share the results of the survey with you in an upcoming edition of the newsletter; for now, we’re pleased to announce the winners of the drawings associated with the survey: Jennifer Gant of Tempe received the three-night stay at the Royal Lahaina Resort on the island of Maui, and Stacy Hahm of Georgia, Mark Kessens of Oklahoma, Susan O’Regan of Phoenix, Kenneth Bond of Mesa and Monica Santos of Illinois each received a Sparky T-shirt. Congratulations!

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Show your Sun Devil spirit at Sparky’s Touchdown Tailgate series

Oct. 24: Stanford University, San Francisco Bay Area
Nov. 21: University of California, Los Angeles

Celebrate memories of the Bruce Snyder football era at our Legends Luncheon Oct. 30