ASU’s Harrison receives “Excellence in Education” Award

October 14, 2008

Arizona State University Executive Vice President and Vice Provost Mernoy Harrison was awarded the 2008 Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) “Excellence In Education” Award this week.<separator></separator>Harrison was presented the award Oct. 14 at the RMHC U.S. Scholarship Breakfast, held at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale. The event raised more than $250,000 to help Arizona high school students attend college, making it the largest fund raising program of its kind in the state.<separator></separator>Ronald McDonald House Charities presents the “Excellence In Education” Award each year to collegiate educators who have exemplary commitment to education, innovation and leadership in the community.<separator></separator>“This collegiate administrator has demonstrated exceptional performance toward improving the quality of teaching and learning for students,” said Nancy Roach, executive director of the Phoenix Ronald McDonald House. “He is truly an outstanding educator whose distinguished leadership is impacting our Arizona youth.”<separator></separator>Harrison successfully oversaw the creation of the ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus, construction of the new Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications building and Taylor Place, the university’s premier residential community. Situated in the heart of downtown Phoenix, the urban campus has dramatically contributed to the revitalization of downtown Phoenix.<separator></separator>Harrison currently oversees the building of ASU’s “fifth campus,” ASU Online and Extended Campus, comprised of online programs and continuing education programs, including face-to-face programs for the valley’s non-traditional students.<separator></separator>The RMHC U.S. Scholarship Program offers scholarships to Arizona high school students from communities who face limited access to educational and career opportunities. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than 1,000 scholarships to students. The RMHC U.S. Scholarship Program is supported through the efforts of Arizona businesses and community organizations; neighborhood McDonald’s owner/operators and suppliers; local and national Ronald McDonald House Charities; and the McDonald’s Corporation.

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