ASU names new buildings at Polytechnic campus

MESA, Ariz. — Just as the new buildings at Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus begin to emerge from the ground, the proposed placeholder names for the new edifices have been approved.

Administrators and deans at the Polytechnic campus selected names from geomorphic structures in the East Valley for the new buildings, the existing auditorium and the new walkway/mall.  These recommendations were approved by University Provost Elizabeth Capaldi’s office in April.

Although the names will serve to identify the buildings and spaces, they are only temporary, says Rita Locke, assistant vice president for the ASU Foundation. “The open and innovative designs of the three new academic building complexes compliment the technological emphasis of the polytechnic programs. As the buildings transform the look and atmosphere of the campus, they will offer prominent naming opportunities for families, individuals, and companies who wish to support students and a growing campus in the East Valley,” says Locke.

The ability to invest in the naming of physical structures, spaces, programs, and other endowed funds provides great opportunities for recognition and growth by investors and ASU alike, according to Colin Tetreault, project manager for the chief of staff at the ASU Foundation.

“Through their investment, persons are ensuring their distinguished legacy to ASU, while simultaneously establishing the university as the preeminent model for a New American University,” says Tetreault.

Last year, the state legislature appropriated money to fund the debt service on $103 million to pay for the construction of new facilities that will provide faculty and staff offices, classrooms and teaching laboratories.

The new naming structure follows:

• Building A, which is the building on the west end of the job site, the facility closest to the Technology Center and the Engineering Studio, will be called Peralta Hall and house the Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness and Computing Studies classroom space and offices.
  
  
• A lecture hall near Peralta Hall will be called Picacho Hall for use by the Multi-Media Writing & Technical Communications program.
  
  
• Building B, which will be physically attached to the existing auditorium, will be called Santan Hall and provide classrooms and offices for the Engineering program and the College of Technology and Innovation Dean’s Office. A donor is are being sought to help renovate the auditorium, which will be know as Aravaipa Auditorium.
  
  
• Building C, identified as Santa Catalina Hall, will provide space for the Humanities, Social/Behavioral Sciences, School of Educational Innovation and Teacher Preparation, Physical Education, Applied Psychology and School of Applied Arts & Sciences Dean’s Office.
  
  
• A new “black box theater," which will provide production and performance space for Applied Arts students, will be termed the Applied Arts Pavilion. This building is near Building C, but does not share a common roof.
  
  
• Walkways or malls connecting the new buildings are also being renamed. For example, Utah Street north of the new buildings, is now the Sonoran Arroyo.

By May 4, the last steel beam for Santan Hall is expected to be in place. And Peralta and Santa Catalina halls are expected to follow shortly thereafter. A community topping out ceremony is expected sometime in early summer.

Completion of the complexes is expected by June 2008, but the name changes are effective immediately.