ASURA was founded in 1991, and it has been growing and developing ever since. Following is a very brief history, by decade.
The first decade, 1991-2001
The association was created through the efforts of several retired and current (at the time) ASU employees who believed that an association that included both faculty and staff would be important in advocating for ASU retirees, and also in advocating for ASU. By late summer 1991 the association had moved into its first office located in the ASU Visitor Information Center, the gold-domed building down on Apache and Rural. By the end of the decade the association had initiated a number of the programs that are still in operation today including Adopt-a-Family, the ASURA Scholarship and Retirees Day.
More details on the creation and first decade of operation are in “A Decade of Success”, a book available in the Pubs menu.
The second decade, 2001-2011
Early in the decade Mat Betz, the 11th President, proposed interviewing retired employees, and the Video History Project was born. Also early in the decade Quentin Bogart, 12th President, reached an agreement with new ASU President Michael Crow to have ASURA recognized as a sponsored entity of the VP for Public Affairs. Several very successful golf tournaments were held to raise money for the Video History Project and the ASURA Scholarship, and the offices moved from their location in the Visitor Information Center to offices in the Community Services Building.
More details about the second decade are in “A Second Decade of Success”, a book available in the Pubs menu.
The third decade, 2011-2021
Halfway through the decade ASURA’s affiliation moved from Public Affairs to Human Resources. The decade saw the implementation of a free first year of membership and then, as suggested by Tara Roesler, 28th President, the automatic enrollment in the association of all those who retire from ASU. The decade saw the demise of Retirees Day and the rise of the ASURA Seminars. Toward the end of the decade ASURA learned how to Zoom.
More details about the third decade are in “Celebrating A Third Decade Of Success” which is available in the Pubs menu.
The fourth decade, 2021-2031
Stay tuned.
