$1M gift advances Colleges@ASU in Lake Havasu City

September 2, 2011

The Colleges@ASU in Lake Havasu City reached a significant milestone, Aug. 29, when the Havasu Foundation for Higher Education received the largest contribution in its seven-year history.

The $1 million contribution from Mr. and Mrs. James J. Santiago, longtime Lake Havasu City residents and principal owners of Beachcomber Resort and Island Suites, brought the campaign total to slightly above the $2 million level – the minimum amount required for ASU to proceed with the project. Download Full Image

“Mr. Santiago’s contribution represents an incredibly generous commitment to ASU and to the people of Lake Havasu City,” said HFHE President Steve Greeley. “We’ve been talking for several weeks, and I could see immediately that Mr. Santiago understands and believes in the value of the university to our community.”

Greeley said their talks centered not only on the importance of serving students in this area, but also the potential impact of the ASU campus on the economic, intellectual and cultural life of the community.

“Jim and Shirley believe in ASU,” Greeley said. “They are committed to helping ensure a great future for Lake Havasu City. The Santiagos always have said that Lake Havasu City has been good to them, and this is their way of giving back to the community.”

ASU President Michael M. Crow said, “ASU is thrilled to work with the Lake Havasu community and its leaders like the Santiago family to launch a new center for higher education. The Santiago family sets an example for all of us, building for the future through giving back to the community.”

HFHE launched the Campaign for the Colleges@ASU in Lake Havasu City in March, with a preliminary goal of $2 million to fund Phase I of the renovation of the former campus of Daytona Middle School. Santiago’s gift took the campaign to that threshold.

“I have no doubt that Mr. Santiago’s contribution, along with the incredible support demonstrated by other residents and businesses in Lake Havasu City, will enable the campaign to reach a fundraising level well over the $2 million requirement,” said campaign co-chair Jo Navaretta.

“We are now well on our way to a fall 2012 opening of the Colleges@ASU in Lake Havasu City,” added co-chair Nello Ruscitti.

“Mr. Santiago’s generosity will enable us to leverage even more support in the community,” Greeley said. “When someone steps up at this level, others consider it a strong vote of confidence, and in a way this is just the beginning. When the campaign concludes, I think everyone in Lake Havasu City will be able to share in this incredible accomplishment.”

For more information about the Campaign for ASU at Lake Havasu, see the Foundations website www.havasufoundation.org.

Lisa Robbins

Assistant Director, Media Relations and Strategic Communications

480-965-9370 lisarobbins@asu.edu

Volleyball tops Southern Miss

September 5, 2011

Danica Mendivil propelled the ASU volleyball to a 3-1 victory against Southern Miss to close out the Iowa State Challenge Sept. 3.

Southern Miss fell victim to the Sun Devils 3-1, going down 25-14, 12-25, 25-21, 25-17. ASU (3-3) was able to keep the Golden Eagles (3-3) offense to a .097 attack percentage during the match. Download Full Image

Mendivil posted a season-high 17 kills to lead both squads in the category, good enough for a .302 attack percentage on the day and to earn All-Tournament Team honors. Erica Wilson added 11 to her name and Ashley Kastl pitched in nine kills as well to give her a team-best 72 overall.

Set one saw A-State to its swiftest start of the season as the squad went up 9-4 and wasted no time to build a cushion at the 18-9 mark. From there USM errors and attacks from Mendivil closed it out at 25-14.
Southern Miss struck back in the second, claiming the frame 25-12. ASU was only able to chalk six kills and trailed the entire set after the 3-2 point.

Arizona State locked back into the match in the third set, tallying 16 kills and consistently keeping itself into the game. Six ties and four lead changes were not enough to deter ASU from coming out on top 25-21 with help from late kills by Mendivil, Kastl and a service ace by Caitlyn Murphy to finish it off.

In full stride, ASU kept its groove in the final frame - never allowing USM within three points after the 11-9 mark. Stephanie Preach then sparked the final five-point run with an ace at 21-16. Wilson threw down two kills followed by Mendivil clinching the Sun Devil victory with the final kill of the day to take the set 25-17.

ASU is back on the road Sept. 9-10 at the Carolina Classic hosted by North Carolina. Play opens at 11:30 a.m., Friday against Georgia Southern. ASU will then face San Diego at 7 a.m., followed by host UNC at 4:30 p.m. All times Pacific.