Northern Arizona University is celebrating its silver anniversary in Yuma County, marking 25 years since presidents Eugene Hughes of NAU and James Carruthers of Arizona Western College signed an agreement creating NAU-Yuma.
To commemorate the occasion, NAU-Yuma will hold a variety of events throughout the fall and spring semesters. The anniversary events kicked off with a breakfast shared by NAU-Yuma and Arizona Western faculty and staff. Arizona Western also is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
In recognition of both institutions’ anniversaries and the 25-year partnership, NAU-Yuma and AWC will host a rededication event Sept. 17 with current NAU President John Haeger and AWC President Glenn Mayle reaffirming the partnership and dedication to providing higher education opportunities to the residents of Yuma and La Paz counties.
The signing ceremony will take place from 8 to 9 a.m. in the 3C building on the NAU/AWC campus. The event will highlight graduates of both institutions.
Additional anniversary celebration events include hosting the Yuma Chamber Breakfast in October and holding a Feb.15 community Block Party at downtown Yuma in partnership with AWC and the city of Yuma.
NAU-Yuma’s History
1988: NAU-Yuma campus established; faculty and staff were housed in mobile trailers on the AWC campus
1995: NAU-Yuma awards its first doctoral degree
1997: NAU-Yuma expands and builds the Academic Complex building
2000s: AWC2NAU program begins jointly admitting students to both institutions, smoothing the pathway toward a bachelor’s degree in Yuma
2006: NAU-Yuma receives branch campus designation
2007: NAU-Yuma gets Hispanic-Serving Institution status
2009: Research and education building opens at NAU-Yuma
2009: NAU-Yuma and AWC awarded $1.2 million science grant
2009-2011: Degree programs expand to offer more than 30 majors, including business, administration, and technology
2010: Yuma campus expands to 50 full-time faculty and staff and more than 50 part-time faculty
2012: NAU-Yuma’s business program earns additional ACBSP accreditation
2013: NAU-Yuma and AWC jointly awarded $3.7 million for new Academic Success Center to increase Hispanic student retention and graduation
2013: NAU, AWC ‘I’m Going to College’ program earns statewide award