Celebrating pioneering spirit, groundbreaking achievements and ASU together

Congratulations to the 2021 honorees

Founders' Day 2021

On Wednesday, March 24, 2021 the ASU Alumni Association, President Michael M. Crow and hundreds of Sun Devils across the globe celebrated the achievements of the Founders’ Day 2021 honorees.

This year, we recognized outstanding faculty honorees who exemplify the ASU Charter and who were instrumental in helping ASU rise to meet the challenges of 2020. We thanked all 359,699 Campaign ASU 2020 donors who rose to the challenge to uphold the fundraising mission that together we can improve lives and influence society for the better. And we honored an alumna who is an entrepreneur, innovator, creator and leader, and is “undaunted” by taking risks.

Congratulations again to this year’s honorees! We thank them for their continued contributions to the university, its students and our world.

To learn more about the 2021 honorees and past award recipients, click on the Honorees tab to view the archived lists.

During the 2021 Founders’ Day celebration, we recognized outstanding faculty honorees who exemplify the ASU Charter and who were instrumental in helping ASU rise to meet the challenges of 2020. We thanked all 359,699 Campaign ASU 2020 donors who rose to the challenge to uphold the fundraising mission that together we can improve lives and influence society for the better. And we honored an alumna who is an entrepreneur, innovator, creator and leader, and is “undaunted” by taking risks.

Congratulations again to this year’s honorees! We thank them for their continued contributions to the university, its students and our world.

Check out the official event photo album and get a behind the scenes look at this year's virtual event!

Kara Goldin, ‘89 BA

Alumni Achievement Award

Founder and CEO, Hint Inc.; podcast host, “The Kara Goldin Show”; bestselling author; “Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts and Doubters”

Campaign ASU 2020 donors

Philanthropists of the year

Campaign ASU 2020 donors embody the spirit of ASU’s founding

Flavio F. Marsiglia, PhD

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

Jeffrey R. Wilson, PhD

Faculty Service Achievement Award

Co-chair, ASU Advisory Council on African American Affairs; professor in Economics Department, W. P. Carey School of Business

Brian DeMaris

Faculty Teaching Achievement Award

Associate professor and artistic director of music theatre and opera, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts

James W. Creasman Award of Excellence

Alumni Achievement Award Recipients

Young Alumni Achievement Award Recipients

Faculty Research Award Recipients

Faculty Service Award Recipients

Faculty Teaching Award Recipients

Staff Achievement Award Recipients

Philanthropist of the Year Award

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.

founders day 1887

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.

founder day territorial

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