ASU graduation Countdown

From territorial normal school to national giant

ASU opened in 1885 as the Territorial Normal School — a teachers' college founded 27 years before Arizona became a state — and grew into one of the largest universities in the country, with roughly 194,000 students a year across its campuses and ASU Online. U.S. News & World Report has named it the nation's most innovative school, and its students and faculty work with NASA on space missions. Not bad for a school that began in a single building in territorial Tempe.

Fireworks over Frank Kush Field

Undergraduate Commencement takes over Frank Kush Field at Mountain America Stadium on a May evening — 7:30 p.m., roughly 75 minutes, no guest tickets required — and finishes with fireworks over Tempe. Graduates are seated by college, Sparky the Sun Devil roams for selfies, and a separate Graduate Commencement fills Desert Financial Arena. Beyond the university-wide events, each college holds its own convocation where names are read individually, so most Sun Devils celebrate at least twice during graduation week.

Graduates, class by class

The Class of 1966 gave broadcasting Al Michaels, the voice of "Do you believe in miracles?"; Temple Grandin earned her master's in animal science in 1975 on her way to transforming livestock handling. The Class of 1985 produced designer Kate Spade, and 1986 sent David Spade toward Saturday Night Live. Phil Mickelson, Class of 1992, won three NCAA golf titles as a Sun Devil, and Pat Tillman graduated summa cum laude in 1997 — in just three and a half years — before his NFL and Army service.

Planning your Tempe graduation week

Tempe absorbs enormous graduation crowds — the spring 2009 undergraduate ceremony drew more than 70,000 people — so plan like it's a bowl game. Book hotels along the light-rail line in Tempe, Phoenix, or Scottsdale early, and note the stadium's clear-bag policy and no-umbrella rule. No tickets are needed for undergraduate commencement, but college convocations differ, so check each ceremony's page. Share this countdown with your classmates and the family group chat so the whole crew counts down to fireworks night together.

Quick facts

• Founded in 1885 as the Territorial Normal School, 27 years before Arizona statehood.
• Spring 2027 commencement is Monday, May 10, with undergraduate ceremonies in Mountain America Stadium and graduate ceremonies in Desert Financial Arena.
• About 194,000 students enroll across ASU's campuses and ASU Online each year — among the largest universities in the U.S.
• Spring 2025 was ASU's largest graduating class ever, with more than 21,000 degrees conferred.
• The spring 2009 undergraduate commencement drew over 70,000 attendees.
• Undergraduate Commencement ends with a fireworks show over Frank Kush Field.