Congratulations to the 2021 honorees
Save the date for Founders' Day 2022! Mark your calendars for March 17, 2022 to celebrate outstanding alumni, faculty and the philanthropist of the year. Check back soon for more information.
To learn more about the 2021 honorees and past award recipients, click on the Honorees tab to view the archived lists.
Founders' Day 2022 is planned for March 17, 2022. If you know an outstanding alum or faculty member, you are encouraged to nominate this individual to be recognized at the 2022 event.
Alumni nomination Faculty nomination
Check out the official event photo album and get a behind the scenes look at last year's virtual event!
Alumni Achievement Award
Founder and CEO, Hint Inc.; podcast host, “The Kara Goldin Show”; bestselling author; “Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts and Doubters”
Philanthropists of the year
Campaign ASU 2020 donors embody the spirit of ASU’s founding
Faculty Research Achievement Award
Regents Professor and center director, Global Center for Applied Health Research, School of Social Work, Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions
Faculty Service Achievement Award
Co-chair, ASU Advisory Council on African American Affairs; professor in Economics Department, W. P. Carey School of Business
Faculty Teaching Achievement Award
Associate professor and artistic director of music theatre and opera, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
Arizona State University annually celebrates the vision and contributions of the institution's founders. A tradition known as Founders' Day, this signature event has taken place since 1964. ASU faculty, staff, alumni and advocates who exemplify the pioneering and innovative spirit of ASU’s founders are honored with excellence-in-achievement awards at the event.
Founders’ Day is celebrated each year in February or March, commemorating the first day of classroom instruction at the original Territorial Normal School in Tempe on Feb. 8, 1886.
Opening day on Feb. 8, 1886
Today, Arizona State University is a leading public research university and an internationally prestigious higher education institution recognized by leading rankings publications and services. ASU launched the groundbreaking prototype of the New American University in 2002, and the ultimate journey from a simple schoolhouse to a world-class institution is a testament to the vision, tenacity and hard work of its founders, leaders, faculty, students and alumni through the years. Founders’ Day is a celebration of this founding spirit.
Arizona Territorial Normal School
It takes many sponsors to support Founders’ Day. We’re grateful for their partnership throughout the years and particularly this year.
Thank you to all of our 2021 Founders’ Day sponsors!
Sustaining sponsor
Premier sponsors
Innovator sponsors
Gold sponsors
Maroon sponsor
Michelle and Fred Reish
Pitchfork sponsors
Bell Bank
Benefits by Design
JE Dunn Construction
Mirabella at ASU
Riester
SRP
The Philanthropy Outsource
Valley Metro
Kathleen Duffy Ybarra
Award sponsors
Arizona Diamondbacks
Dircks Moving and Logistics
Chad Kolodisner
McAfee
Proctorio
Susan Whetten Udall
Traditions Fund donors
Samantha Hagan
Chris Hill
Los Angeles Alumni Chapter
Emma and Rick Nakazawa
Optima ECM Consulting
Kristen and Ira Rotenberg
Andrew Vandertoorn
Christine and Don Wilkinson
Work in Sports
