President's Club names new co-chairs

The ASU Foundation’s President’s Club recently announced new co-chairs.

Patrick and Amy Armstrong and Howard and Ellen Katz were recently named co-chairs for a two-year term. Lattie and Elva Coor were named honorary chairs for two years.

President’s Club is made up of men and women who are committed to rapidly advancing initiatives, partnerships and research to transform higher education through their support of Arizona State University President Michael M. Crow.

The funds raised are focused on helping ASU veterans, the underserved at ASU and the university’s global initiatives.

“I understand the value of having a great idea and having something innovative and not being able to run with it right away,” said Amy Armstrong, who has run nonprofit organizations and joined the President’s Club about five years ago. “With President’s Club you can run with it right away.”

President’s Club members can participate in several events with ASU leadership.

"Getting people to the events is really important,” Armstrong said. “We come away from those events saying, I didn’t know that was from ASU. You learn so much about the neat things happening at ASU. You’re helping the university advance, but you get something out of too.”

The Katz family joined President’s Club about 10 years ago and said the timing was perfect to take a leadership role since their other nonprofit roles were finished.

“ASU plays a significant role in the community and we want to be part of the community,” said Ellen Katz. “People respond to people. We respond to ASU and think it’s a cool place, but it’s really the people that make it a great place. It’s the people that make up the institution, and the reputation and progress.”

Both couples say they are focused on increasing membership and revenue for President’s Club so ASU can make a greater impact on students and the communities it serves.

“The biggest thing is making a larger part of the community familiar with ASU,” Howard Katz said. “Through the President’s Club, people can be participants in the growth of this institution.”