| Angelo State University | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Fiat Lux (Latin) |
| Motto in English | Let there be light |
| Established | 1928 |
| Type | State university |
| Endowment | U.S. $103 million[1] |
| President | Dr. Joseph C. Rallo |
| Academic staff | 332 |
| Students | 7,084[2] |
| Location | San Angelo, Texas, U.S. |
| Campus | Urban, 268 acre (1.1 km²) |
| Colors | Blue and gold |
| Mascot | Ram, "Dominic" |
| Affiliations | SACS AASCU TTUS LSC |
| Website | www.angelo.edu |
Angelo State University is a public, coeducational, doctoral level degree-granting university located in San Angelo, Texas, United States. It was founded in 1928 as San Angelo College. It gained University status and awarded its first baccalaureate degrees in 1967 and graduate degrees in 1969, the same year it took on its current name, Angelo State University. It offers over 100 undergraduate programs and 34 graduate programs. It is a member of the Texas Tech University System.[3] Angelo State was named one of "The Best 376 Colleges" by The Princeton Review. Only four public schools in the State of Texas were listed, the other three being the University of Texas, Texas A&M University and the University of Houston. Additionally it was one of the twenty-two institutions in Texas designated in its regional "Best in the West" rankings. [4]
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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.[5]
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. San Angelo College transformed into 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.[5]
The graduate program was initiated in 1970 with the start of the university's College of Graduate Studies. During a major realignment of the Texas University systems 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 the fall of 2007 the Alumni Association voted to request a movement to the Texas Tech University System from the Texas State University System. The merger received widespread support in San Angelo and Lubbock, where Texas Tech University is located.[6][7] The bill was approved, signed by Gov. Rick Perry and voted into the Texas Constitution by the electorate making Angelo State University accountable to the Texas Tech System Board of Regents in late 2007.[8][9][10]
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.
The first doctoral program, the Doctorate of Physical Therapy though the College of Nursing and Allied Health was offered in 2009.
Starting in Fall of 2009 Angelo State began offering classes in Boerne, Marble Falls, and Fredericksburg, Texas.[11]
Angelo State's students come from all across Texas, and students from 46 states and 22 other countries are also represented in the university's total enrollment. The admissions policies were considerably revised in 2008--most notably the requirement that students in the top 11-50 percent of their high school class will have to score a 16 on the ACT or a 760 on the SAT to gain regular admittance--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 376 Colleges" and one of "The Best Western Colleges" in its 2011 edition, as well as the distinction of having "Dorms Like Dungeons" based upon student surveys.[15] Angelo State was one of only four public universities in Texas to be listed in the "Best 376" guide, the other three being the University of Houston, the University of Texas and Texas A&M.[16] The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and is classified as a national space-grant institution.[17]
Other national rankings and recognition's include the Physics Today list of the top 21 undergraduate physics programs nationally.[18] The Computer Science Department's program in game development has been named one of the “Top 50 Undergraduate Game Design Programs” in the nation by the Princeton Review and GamePro Magazine.[19][20] G.I. Jobs, the top publication for military transitioners, has named ASU as a top “Military Friendly School”[21] and the university is ranked seventh in the nation on the Air Force's list of "Enlisted-Friendly Schools".[22] The Chronicle of Higher Education, the primary national source for news and job listings in higher education,
ranked ASU as one of the top 150 universities to work for.[23] The universities study abroad program was awarded the 2010 Andrew Heiskell Award For Innovation in International Education by the Institute of International Education, the highest award given by the group which boasts over 1,000 active member colleges & universities.[24][25]
Angelo State University offers over 100 bachelors, 33 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.[26]
Angelo State University is divided into six colleges including the College of Business, College of Education, College of Liberal and Fine Arts, College of Nursing and Allied Health, College of Sciences, and the College of Graduate Studies
Angelo State University has historically kept tuition low and given out high amounts of financial aide. Because of this in the 2011 Newsweek & The Daily Beast College Rankings Angelo State University was ranked the 20'th "Cheapest" university in the country when the average amount of gift aide (scholarships, federal, state, and local grants) was figured in with the cost of tuition.[27] The debt burden for students is 31% below the state average.[28] 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.[29] Angelo State's Carr Academic Scholarship, which is one of the largest endowed scholarships among any regional university in the nation, is available to all academically eligible students regardless of income. Most high school graduates who attend ASU & score a minimum of 990 on the SAT will be eligible to receive a renewable scholarship ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 a year for the depending on SAT/ACT and class ranking and dependent on funds available.[30] Approximately one in every six students receive the Carr scholarship.[30] 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[31] 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.[32]
The main campus is situated on 268 acres (1.08 km2). It is centered on the campus mall, a tree lined pedestrian walkway which covers over one mile (1.6 km) 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 (180,303.2 m2) of available space.[33]
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.
The Lloyd D. and Johnell S. Vincent Nursing-Physical Science Building was completed during the spring semester of 1985. 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.[34][35] 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 (24 km2) 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.[36]
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"[37] and is in the process of a planned multi-million construction campaign. There are several large projects currently under construction. A new $12M expansion of the Center for Human Performance will offer more space for modern aerobic & weight training space, a rock-climbing wall and an indoor jogging track. A $4M renovation of the first floor of the Porter Henderson Library has recently been completed, creating an Information Commons. The Information Commons provides high-tech private and group study sections with numerous internet stations, enhanced group study rooms and a coffee shop for student use.[38][39] $2 million dollars in landscaping and campus beautification projects are currently under way. This includes a complete renovation of the courtyard at Vanderventer Apartments.[40]
The University has also received permission from the Board of Regents of the Texas Tech University System to demolish the remanding High-Rise known as Concho Hall. The demolition is set for Fall of 2011. The 2010-2011 academic year will be the last year for Concho Hall before the University takes it offline to prepare the 10-story high-rise for implosion, similar to the way University Hall was taken down. In its way, the University will continue its plan to build Plaza Verde (a new Residence Hall), but in two different phases. The first phase will create a three-story, 400-bed facility north of the University Mall (where
University Hall use to be) and the second phase will be built where Concho Hall currently stands. Construction for Plaza Verde Phase 1 is expected to begin in the summer of 2010. When completed the new dorm project will add space for up to 900 additional on campus residential students.[41]
The university is in the planning stages of a proposed mixed-use development on 17 acres (6.9 ha) of university property off Knickerbocker Road. The proposed development would have graduate and married student housing along with retail, office and restaurant space to serve students and residents of San Angelo. The development would improve student housing as well as provide prime retail space and make for an improved university entrance. Additionally it would provide the school with funds from leasing the space in conjuncture with Midway Companies of Houston who is leading the project.[42]
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.[43] Also in the 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.[44]
The campus of Angelo State University is one of the safest in the nation.[45] 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.[46] 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.[47] 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.[48]
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, Delta Zeta, and Sigma Kappa, 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, ample couch and student meeting areas, as well as multiple large flat screen plasma televisions equipped with DirecTV and Xbox 360 game consoles for student use. Cuisine wise in addition to Roscoe's Bistro, a traditional university buffet serving the west side of campus, the University Center snack bar features stands offering pizza, Chinese cuisine, a salad bar, American grill food stand, 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, The Multi-Cultural Center and the C.J. Davidson Conference Center.[49][50]
The University Center for Human Performance features indoor basketball courts, four racquetball courts, an indoor elevated jogging track, an indoor rock climbing gym, hardwood floor multipurpose rooms for fitness/aerobic classes, locker rooms and shower facilities for student use, an indoor pool and a state of the art modern two story gym with large windows facing the out towards the university mall.[51] The Junell Center
also has a large gym available primarily for student athletes but open to all ASU students. A Disc Golf course runs along the Mall and Memorial Oak Grove. For tennis players there are 12 tennis courts available across campus.
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.[52]
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 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 Village, Concho Hall, Massie Hall, Texan Hall, Plaza Verde, and Vanderventer Apartments.[53] Since campus academic enrollment exceeds the capacity of on-campus housing, the University is in the process of adding more residence halls. Popular off-campus locations include"The Grove" and "Angelo Place". Both are relatively close to campus, they offer individual leases and cater to student living.[54][55]
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.[56] The Ram Page is the university's official weekly published student-run newspaper.[57] The Ramdiculous Page is a satirical newspaper independently produced on campus by Angelo State students.[58] Ram Radio is an Internet station broadcasting 24 hours a day.[59] Angelo State will also soon contribute news reports to the newly acquired local NPR station KNCH.[60] Students may access ASU news information on their iPhones with the new release of the ASU Mobile app.[61] All student media offices and studios are located on the 3rd floor of the Library.
Approximately 21% of students are involved in some kind of intramural sport 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 Rodeo, Rugby, Ultimate Frisbee, Bass fishing, Handball, Racquetball, and Powerlifting. [62] Teams range from non-competitive fun teams to competitive intercollegiate teams.
ASU has extensive facilities available for intramural athletics. There are four landscaped and lighted fields designated for intramural use available on campus for intramural football and soccer games and three softball fields. The university also owns and maintains the off-campus SAY Baseball Complex which has two NCAA Competition Class baseball fields and one softball field. The complex also includes a clubhouse & indoor batting cages for the ASU Baseball and Softball teams practice use, as well as student recreational use. Intramural basketball teams play in the recreational Center for Human Performance gym. Three racquetball courts are also located in the CHP.[63] In 2009 the Angelo State University competitive 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] ASU repeated the act in 2010 beating out the University of Kentucky and Florida Gulf Coast University for the national title.[65]
Angelo State University's sports teams participate in the NCAA DII Lone Star Conference. Attendance and support of ASU athletics is high, in DII attendance at ASU athletic games has ranked in the Top 20 schools in the nation 15 times in the last 20 years.[66]
National highlights include Angelo State University's 1957 Rams Basketball NJCAA National Championship, 1978 Football NAIA Division I National Championship, 2004 Rambelles NCAA Softball Division II National Championship, and the 2010 Rambelles NCAA Division II National Track and Field Championship. Angelo State University fields 13 men's & women's varsity sports including baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor track & field, soccer, softball, track & field and volleyball.
The Rams football team plays its 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.[67] The stadium recently added a $7m field house facility.[68]
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 6,500, 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.[69]
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 82-foot (25 m) wide, 21 feet (6.4 m) high LED scoreboard complete with a high-definition video screen, making it also the largest in Division II.[70][71][72] The on campus field is shared with the local minor league San Angelo Colts.
The Rams track and field team compete at the LeGrand Sports Complex. 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.[73] The facility has been the site for the 1988, 1991, 1992, 2002 and 2009 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
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.
Homecoming is a historic ritual jointly run by the Alumni Association, the university and the students. Activities include a pep rally followed by a torch parade to light the bonfire; a homecoming through downtown San Angelo 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. For Alumni they hold the annual Alumni Awards Banquet, honoring distinguished alumni and university donors.
The official Ram Jam was started by the Alumni Association in 2003 and has grown from there to become the large pre-game Football tailgating parties that they are today. During the Fall semester outside the Legrand Alumni Center students, alumni & community members park their cars in the parking lot and hang out around the center to grill & socialize. The events also feature local bands to provide entertainment, free food & refreshments, bounce houses & other games for kids and alcoholic beverages for those 21 and up. The Ram Band, the ASU dance team the Angelettes and the ASU Cheerleaders also perform and everyone walks over to the stadium prior to the game.[75]
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.
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.[76] 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.
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.
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.
Two costumed mascots, Roscoe and Bella, appear at most athletic events and many community activities where they lead cheers and interact with students and fans.[77] Roscoe has appeared at many games since the 1960s courtesy of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, one of the oldest & most active fraternities on the ASU campus. Bella made her debut in October 2010, supported by the Delta Zeta she appears with Roscoe & the ASU cheerleaders at most athletic & student body events. Both students portraying the mascots are sworn to everlasting secrecy to retain the Ram legacy.[78]
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.
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