Angelo State University is a public, coeducational university located in San Angelo, Texas, United States. It was founded in 1928 as San Angelo College, a junior college. In 1958, it became Angelo State College. It awarded its first baccalaureate degrees in 1967 and took on its current name in 1969. Angelo State University offers approximately 100 undergraduate programs, 21 graduate programs and 1 doctoral program. As of 2009 enrollment stands at about 6,400 students with plans to increase to 10,000 by 2020.[2] Angelo State was named one of "The Best 371 Colleges" and "Best in the West" by The Princeton Review in 2010.[3]
History
The history of the university can be traced to 1928 when San Angelo College was established, following a municipal election held in 1926. Organized as part of the city school system, the two-year college for many years occupied a site on North Oakes Street near the commercial center of the city. The voters of Tom Green County in 1945 created a County Junior College District and elected the first board of trustees. In 1947, the first building was constructed on the present university site.[4]
The university has experienced a rapid transition from the status of a regional junior college to that of an accredited senior institution of higher learning. Angelo State was created as Angelo State College in 1965 by an act of the 58th Session of the Texas Legislature in 1963. The transfer of authority from the Board of Trustees of the junior college to the Board of Regents, State Senior Colleges, became effective on September 1, 1965. In May 1967, the first baccalaureate degrees were awarded. The name of the institution was changed to Angelo State University in May 1969.[4] The graduate program was initiated in 1970 with the start of the university's College of Graduate Studies. The first doctoral program, the Doctorate of Physical Therapy though the College of Nursing and Allied Health was offered in 2009.
Angelo State University was designated as a member of the Texas State University System in 1975, along with Sam Houston State University, Southwest Texas State University, and Sul Ross State University, when the 64th Texas Legislature changed the name of the governing board to Board of Regents, Texas State University System.
In September 1967, Dr. Lloyd Drexel Vincent became the second president of Angelo State College, succeeding Dr. Raymond M. Cavness who first held that post. Dr. Vincent served as president until his death on August 5, 1994. On January 25, 1995, Dr. E. James Hindman became the third president of Angelo State University. Upon his retirement Dr. Joseph C. Rallo, previously the Provost and Academic Vice President at Western Illinois University became the university's fourth President on June 1, 2007.
In March 2007, Rep. Drew Darby and Sen. Robert Duncan co-sponsored House Bill 3564 which sought to align Angelo State University with the Texas Tech University System.[5] The merger received widespread support in Lubbock, where Texas Tech University is located, and in San Angelo.[6][7] The bill was approved by the full House on April 24, 2007, and by the Senate in a unanimous vote on May 15, 2007.[8] On May 23, 2007, Gov. Rick Perry signed the bill.[9] It then went before voters on November 6, 2007, as Proposition 1, which passed 66.28 percent in favor to 33.72 percent against, thus amending the Texas Constitution.[10]
Starting in Fall of 2009 Angelo State began offering classes in Boerne, Marble Falls and Fredericksburg Texas.[11]
Academic profile
Porter Henderson Library at Angelo State University
The majority of Angelo State's students come from Texas, however 37 different states and 21 other countries are represented in the university's total enrollment. The admissions policies were considerably revised in 2008 with the intention to establish ASU one of the most competitive regional universities in Texas in line with its "Vision 2012" goal of improving university academic standards and rankings.[12][13] Angelo State University has been recognized for its academics nationally in many academic and public journals. It has been named one of the "Top 10 Up and Coming Regional Universities" by U.S. News & World Report.[14] The Princeton Review named Angelo State as one of "The Best 371 Colleges" and one of "The Best Western Colleges" in its 2010 edition.[15] Angelo State was one of only three public universities in Texas to be listed in the guide, the other two being the University of Texas and Texas A&M.[16] The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities
The Physics Department has been designated by Physics Today as one of the top 21 undergraduate programs nationally.[17] Out of 3,000 universities Angelo State University ranked 85th in endowment per student and 407th in the market value of endowment assets.[18][19] The Chronicle of Higher Education ranked ASU as one of the top 150 universities to work for.[20] The University is ranked number seven in the nation on the Air Force's list of Enlisted-Friendly Schools.[21]
Angelo State University offers 97 bachelors, 23 masters, and 1 doctoral degree program. The graduate school at Angelo State was authorized by the Board of Regents, State Senior Colleges, on May 15, 1970, and approved by The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on October 19, 1970. In 2009 the university was authorized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer doctoral level degrees, starting with a doctorate in Physical Therapy.[22]
Angelo State University is divided into five colleges, Angelo State University College of Business, Angelo State University College of Education, Angelo State University College of Liberal and Fine Arts, Angelo State University College of Nursing and Allied Health, Angelo State College of Sciences, and Angelo State University College of Graduate Studies
Cost & Financial Aid
Angelo State University has historically kept tuition low. It offers one of the lowest tuition rates in the state and the debt burden for students is 31% below the state average[23]. In 2009 Angelo State initiated the "Blue and Gold Guarantee". It provides full tuition and mandatory fees for all accepted Texas freshman whose families earn $40,000 or less in yearly income.[24] The Carr Academic Scholarship is available to all academically eligible students regardless of income. Many high school graduates who attend ASU & rank in the top 15 percent of their class, and score a minimum of 1120 on the SAT, will receive an average of $3,300 regardless of family income dependent on funds available.[25] Approximately one in every six students receive the Carr scholarship.[25] There are an additional 317 endowed and university sponsored scholarship programs available, many for multiple students, through the financial aid office depending on major, academic qualifications, and need as well as other qualifications[26] All students that graduate in four years receive a $2500 cash rebate to start their careers or graduate studies with. This is available through the "Graduation Incentive Program" a program available through ASU and enhanced through state programs.[27]
Campus
Math/Computer Science Building
The main campus is situated on 268 acres (1,080 km). It is centered on the campus mall, a tree lined pedestrian walkway which covers over one mile and connects most major buildings. It has changed significantly since 1965 as a result of the development of an ultramodern physical plant now valued at over $450 million. The University consists of over 60 buildings encompassing 1,940,768 square feet of available space.[28]
Major academic buildings include, the Porter Henderson Library which was completed in the fall of 1967, in the spring of 1968 the Raymond M. Cavness Science Building was opened. An academic building and a ten-story women's high rise residence hall and accompanying food service center were opened in September 1968. A second ten-story residence hall for men opened in September 1969. The modernization and expansion of the Houston Harte University Center was completed during the summer of 1971, and a physical education complex was opened in the summer of 1972.
The Robert and Nona Carr Education-Fine Arts Building, completed during the spring of 1976, provides ultramodern facilities for the Departments of Education, Art and Music, and Communications, Drama, and Journalism. In addition to an extensive array of teaching facilities, many special use areas are incorporated in the building, including the theater, recital hall, band hall, and an area for art design and ceramics.The 60,000 square foot (5,600 m²) Emil C. Rassman Building, completed during the summer of 1983, houses the Department of Business Administration, the Department of Accounting, Economics, and Finance, and Department of Aerospace Studies, as well as the office of the Dean of the College of Professional Studies.
Houston Harte Student Center
The Lloyd D. and Johnell S. Vincent Nursing-Physical Science Building was completed during the 1985 Spring Semester. Located across the mall from the Physical Education Building and the Emil C. Rassman Building, the building contains approximately 73,000 square feet (6,800 m²) arranged over two floors. The building houses the University's nursing program, the Physics Department, and offices for the Dean of the College of Sciences and the Dean of the Graduate School. Specialized teaching and laboratory facilities are included for physics, physical science, geology and nursing. The building houses one of the largest planetariums among the nation's colleges and universities, featuring a 50 foot (15 m) dome and seating for 114.[29][30] The facility is used as a lecture hall and for other special programs. It is also used in conjunction with academic courses in astronomy and for public shows. The 86,000 square foot (8,000 m²) Mathematics-Computer Science Building, completed in 1996, houses the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Computer Science as well as facilities to support the University's mainframe computing services. Other recent additions include expansion of the Cavness Science Building, construction of the new Texan Hall residences, and adding an additional floor to the Porter Henderson Library to accommodate the Communications, Drama & Journalism department and Honors Program. The Management Instruction and Research Center is a 6,000 acre ranch on O.C. Fisher Lake, property which Angelo State has under long-term lease from the US Corps of Engineers. These facilities support the programs in animal science and biology and a wide range of management and research activities.[31]
Future development
Angelo State University's master plan calls on the university to meet the future educational needs of Texas by increasing to 10,000 students by 2028. In accordance with this, it has created "Vision 2012"[32] and is in the process of a planned multi-million construction campaign. Currently in progress are a $12M expansion of the university recreation center to offer more space for modern aerobic, weight training, and other physical fitness activities, such as a rock-climbing wall and indoor jogging track and a $4M renovation of the library to create an Information Commons, which will provide additional Internet stations and electronic study areas for groups study.[33][34] A new 3,200 sq ft. baseball field house is also currently in the works.
Other planned projects are dependent on funding. The Texas legislature approved no capital improvement funds for 2009-2011 for any public universities. These planned projects include a new center for the newly created College of Nursing and Allied Health[35]. Also in the final planning stages is a Performing Arts Center on the Concho River This along with the Angelo State University owned San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts will create a downtown San Angelo arts triangle.[36]
Safety and Security
The campus of Angelo State University is one of the safest in the nation.[37] There are 13 emergency call boxes strategically spread across campus. In the case of an emergency and the need for immediate assistance, all calls are routed directly to the Angelo State Police Department.[38] The Angelo State University Police Department employs 14 full time police officers, all certified state peace officers, with the same qualifications and powers that municipal police departments deploy. They patrol the campus 24/7, 365 days a year.[39] The ASU Alert system sends out messages to all campus emails and cell phones registered through the system in the case of any campus or regional emergency.[40]
Student life
In accordance with its mission as a residential campus, there are over 100 student organizations that play an important role in the social scene at Angelo State. Some of these include National Greek Fraternities and Sororities, such as Lambda Chi Alpha, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Sigma Kappa, and Delta Zeta, as well as numerous academic and professional organizations, boards and councils, honor societies, religious organizations, special interest organizations, and intramural sports.
The Houston Harte University Center serves students' recreational and community needs. For student recreation, it offers multiple pool tables, ping pong tables, air hockey tables, as well as multiple large flat screen plasma televisions equipped with Direct TV and Xbox 360 game consoles for student use. In addition to Roscoe's Bistro, the University Center snack bar features pizza, Chinese cuisine, breakfast burritos, and American grill food stands, as well as Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, and Blimpie Subs and Salads. It also houses the Student Credit Union, the Campus Bookstore, the Student Life Office, the Center for Student Involvement, Student Senate offices, the Non Traditional Students Lounge, and the C.J. Davidson Conference Center.[41][42]
The University Center for Human Performance features indoor basketball courts, racquetball courts, a gym and an indoor swimming center. Students voted in 2008 for a 12 million dollar expansion and renovation of the CHP, to be started that spring and completed in the fall of 2011.[43] The Junell Center also has a large gym available for students and student athletes. For tennis players there are 12 tennis courts available on campus.
Lake House
The off campus Angelo State Lake House at nearby Lake Nasworthy offers many recreational opportunities for students. The Lake House provides lake and beach access, a basketball court, playground, and sand volleyball courts, as well as canoes and kayaks for free student use. It also provides meeting and recreational rooms as well as cooking facilities for students, faculty and student organizations. [44]
Student Housing
The University provides on-campus housing for over 1,650 students. Over 25% of the student body resides on campus. All units provide individually controlled air-conditioning units, phone and cable television service, data connections and access to the university Wi-Fi network. Rent includes all utilities. Options range from traditional dormitory units to those that offer
A pickup volleyball game outside Concho Hall
private bedroom suites with a common living area and kitchenette. All halls have resident assistants who live in the building to assist students. The residential halls include Carr Hall, Centennial Hall, Concho Hall, Massie Hall, Texan Hall and Vanderventer apartments.[45]
Since campus academic enrollment exceeds the capacity of on-campus housing, the University is in the process of adding more residence halls, most of which will be suite-style. Popular off-campus locations include the student-only apartments "The Grove" and "Angelo Place". Both within walking distance to campus, they offer individual leases and cater to student living.[46][47]
Student media
The university operates Ram TV, available locally in San Angelo on SuddenLink cable channel 6. The channel operates 24 hours a day, featuring new original programing Monday through Thursday during prime time.[48] The Ram Page is the university's official student-run newspaper.[49] The Ramdiculous Page is a widely published satirical newspaper independently produced on campus by Angelo State students.[50] Ram Radio is an Internet station broadcasting 24 hours a day.[51]. All student media offices and studios are located on the 3rd floor of the Library.
Athletics
Angelo State University's sports teams participate in the NCAA Lone Star Conference. Attendance at ASU athletic games has ranked in the Top 20 schools in the nation 15 times in the last 20 years in all DII.[52] National highlights include Angelo State Universities 1978 DI NAIA National Football Championship and in 2007 ASU made history as the first school to ever have their baseball and softball teams compete in the NCAA College World Series[53][54] . Angelo State University fields teams in 12 varsity sports including baseball, basketball , cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, track & field, and volleyball.
The Rams football team plays it's home games at San Angelo Stadium located one block south of the main campus, which holds over 17,500 people and is the third largest facility in all of NCAA Division II American football.[55]. The stadium recently added a $7m field house facility.[56]
The Rams' and Rambelles' basketball teams, as well as the Rambelles' volleyball team, play at Stephens Arena located inside the Junell Center. The arena accommodates audiences of up to 6,400, the fourth largest in all NCAA Division II athletics, and features a 9x12 foot video screen, the largest of its kind in the Lone Star Conference.[57]
The Rams Baseball team plays at Foster Field. Built in 1999 The $4.5m field features 4,200 permanent seats making it the largest on campus Baseball stadium in NCAA Division II. It also includes a Triple-A lighting system, and a Daktronics inning-by-inning scoreboard with video display.[58][59] The on campus field is shared with the minor league San Angelo Colts.
The Rams track and field team compete at the LeGrand Sports Complex. The facility has been the site for the 1988, 1991, 1992, 2002 and 2009 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The complex features a 400-meter all-weather track with 200-meter straightaway, throwing areas, full press box facilities and seating for 3,000 people.[60]
The Rambelles softball field was completed in 2001. The field features two dugout facilities that include team bathrooms and washrooms, team benches, bag and bat storage areas. The field also includes a pressbox overlooking home plate with seating for six, a concession stand as well as a complete sound and public address system and a deluxe inning-by-inning scoreboard and a mini-athletic training facility with an area for pre-game preparation and injury treatment at the field.
[61]
Intramural and Club Sports
Approximately 20% of students are involved in intramural sports at Angelo State. Intramural sports available include Flag Football, Table Tennis]], Badminton, Volleyball, Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, Kickball, Basketball, Racquetball, Tennis, Disc Golf, Volleyball, Softball and Golf. Angelo State club sports include Rugby, Ultimate Frisbee, Bass fishing, and Racquetball. [62]
There are four fields available on campus for intramural football and soccer games as well as three softball fields. The university also owns and maintains the off-campus ASU Sports Complex which has two NCAA competition class class baseball fields and one softball fields. The complex also includes a clubhouse & indoor batting cages for the ASU Baseball and Softball teams as well as student recreational use. [63] In 2009 the Angelo State University flag football team "The Invisibles" beat out the University of South Florida and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to win the National Campus Championship Series Flag Football Championships in Tampa, Florida.[64]
Traditions
Homecoming
Bronze Rams statue outside Stephens Arena
Homecoming is a historic ritual jointly run by the Alumni Association, the university and the students. Activities include the annual Alumni Awards Banquet, honoring alumni; a pep rally followed by a torch parade to light the bonfire; a homecoming parade; and the football game. The crowning of the Homecoming Queen and King is held during the game's halftime. Throughout the week leading up to the game, student organizations compete for the Spirit Stick, given to the group who has shown the most spirit and contributed the most to the many tasks required to make the event a success. Since 1975, Angelo State University's Air Force ROTC Detachment 847 has built the bonfire. It is also a tradition to soapsud the fountain outside Stephens Arena.
Gum Tree
The gum tree is a mesquite tree located at the southwest corner of the Porter Henderson Library, where students stick used pieces of chewing gum for good luck on exams. University legend has it that a gum-chewing suitor placed his chaw there prior to asking his girlfriend to marry him. When she said yes, the happy young man attributed his good luck to his gum deposit. Since then, hundreds of students have left their chewing gum on the tree for good luck before exams and finals.[65]
Ram’s Head
The Ram's Head sign is made by bending the middle and ring fingers down over the palm and covering them with the thumb. The extended index and pinky fingers are then bent halfway to represent the curve of the horns. The sign is used at various times during athletic events and typically during the playing of the Alma Mater.
Ring Ceremony
Prior to each commencement, the ASU Alumni Association hosts a ring ceremony where the university president presents class rings to recipients. Appearing at each ceremony is ASU's mascot, Dominic. After receiving their rings, recipients touch their rings to Dominic's horns for strength, or rub them through his wool for luck. Though Angelo State rings have existed since the beginning of the University a new official ASU ring was introduced by the ASU Alumni Society in 2003.[66] The top of the Angelo State class ring presents the ASU seal. One side of the ring shows the State of Texas with a star marking San Angelo; below that, an oak branch. On the other side is an image of the mascot, Dominic.
Mascots
A purebred Rambouillet ram, Dominic, stands as a symbol of Angelo State University and the institution's ties to the region and its people. The first Rambouillet ram, named "Shorty," was donated to the college in 1940 by area rancher D.T. Jones, who had two daughters attending the school at the time.
The ram was an appropriate symbol for the institution and the region because San Angelo has long been the center of the Texas wool and mohair industry, and was the home of the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association. Angelo State's ram went by a variety of names until 1964, when the student body held an election to decide on a permanent moniker and "Dominic" won out.
Today Dominic is a regular fixture at ASU activities, ranging from the ring ceremony to outdoor athletic events. He is typically kept close to the end zone at Angelo State football games. A costumed mascot named Roscoe appears at most athletic events and many community activities, where he leads cheers and interacts with students and fans.[67]
Notable people
Angelo State University has a large and active alumni base. A common indicator of university stature is set by past graduates' success. Angelo State University Alumni have gone on to succeed in every profession on the State & National level. They include major executives at Fortune 500 companies, Emmy award nominated actors, Grammy Award winning musicians, Super Bowl winners, research scientists and faculty at major Ivy League universities, Texas Supreme Court Justices, Texas State Representatives and Senators and United States Congressmen.
References
External links
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