Grads thankful for ASU’s ongoing impact   

Dennis Ederer was determined to attend ASU when, years before he was old enough to apply, he saw glimpses of the desert during a televised broadcast of a College World Series game held in Tempe. 

Ederer moved into a home 1.1 miles away from campus, and he has lived there ever since. 

An accountant who was a member of the Beta Alpha Psi Honorary Accounting Fraternity and a Sun Devil Service Award recipient, Ederer has dedicated his time to the university as a volunteer and courtesy faculty member for over 30 years.

“I spent a career pedaling (on my bicycle) along College Avenue,” he said. 

William Eaton also fell in love with the desert during his time at ASU. Eaton, named “ASU Man of the Year” in 1973, was a four-time Grammy nominee who designs and builds incredibly unique instruments and is one of the founders of the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in Phoenix. 

Three Tri-Delta sorority sisters — Debbie Drommerhausen Hutchings, Terry Smith Christian and Tara Roesler — returned for the reunion and sported blue Tri-Delta graduation stoles to wear with their golden robes. They are still involved with the sorority today. 

Tony Maresca, who owned a series of bowling pro shops, was on the ASU bowling team while in college and later coached the 1982 team to the national championships.

Exceptional careers at ASU and beyond

The Class of 1973 even produced ASU professors and administrators:

  • Diane Facinelli, who earned three degrees from ASU, served as a professor for 21 years at Barrett, The Honors College, and directed 23 study abroad programs.

  • Billie Enz, an emeritus professor, has served as an administrator for the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College for over 25 years.

  • Randy Virden, also an emeritus professor, was the founding director of the School of Community Resources and Development and the former chair of the Department of Recreation Management and Tourism.

  • Harvey Bryan, a Fulbright Fellow, is a professor in the ASU Urban Climate Research Center.

Marilyn Wells, who was on the ASU archery team, became an archery judge for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. 

Other 1973 alums were active in Greek life. Dan Rodriguez, a Sigma Nu Hall of Honor inductee, has dedicated his career to serving alumni, both at ASU and at Oregon State. Donna Issenman, a Pi Beta Phi sorority member, started her own charity, called Jingled Elves, that benefits women and children in her local community.

Veterans were also represented, including Michael A. Crowe, Air Force; G. Bruce Hedlund, Air Force; Doug Honaker, Army; Ron Larson, Army; Steve “Mat” Matazzoni, Air Force; Richard Milavetz, Air Force; Victor Rupalcaba, Army and Arizona National Guard; and Ted Whitfield, Navy.

Laurie Merrill

Marketing Copy Writer , ASU Alumni Association