Feature

ASU student engineer creates a Micro Sparky
By Christine Harvey Nov. 2009
Special for the Arizona Republic

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A new sun devil has emerged on ASU's campus - Micro Sparky.

Micro Sparky is a microscopic reproduction of ASU's mascot, Sun Devil Sparky, created by Adam Burke, a graduate student in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

Burke cleverly incorporated his school spirit into his research by using atomic force to create the image of Sparky while experimenting. 

Micro Sparky is five microns tall. In other words, if you were to stack 20 of the small Sun Devil on top of each other, he would equal the width of a human hair.

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ASU club benefits from growing number of Indian students
by Christine Harvey   Nov. 2009
Special for the Arizona Republic

The number of students from India enrolled in U.S. universities and colleges ranked its highest for the first time ever this year, demonstrating the largest percentage increase since 1980.

According to the Open Doors Report of 2009, students from India have crossed the 100,000 mark, signaling changing economic trends.

At Arizona State University, the Indian Students Association (ISA) is one of the most culturally diverse non-profit culture associations at Arizona State University, with more than 1,000 students who participate.

The Open Doors Report is published by the Institute of International Education and provides comprehensive statistics and analysis based on detailed data collected throughout the previous year from more than 3,000 U.S. campuses.

The number of Indian students increased 9.2 percent from 94,563 in the 2007-08 academic year to 103,260 in 2008-09. India is the No. 1 place of origin for international students in the United States - a place it holds for the eighth consecutive year.

The report also noted a 20 percent increase in the number of American students traveling to India to study.

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Arizona ranks close to national average in census participation
By Christine Harvey March 2010
Cronkite News

PHOENIX (Wednesday, March 31) — Arizona ranks right around the national average so far when it comes to residents mailing back their 2010 census forms, but average isn’t good enough with federal dollars and congressional representation at stake, state and local officials said Wednesday.

“If even just a few people in Arizona don’t fill out that form, we lose a part of our voice and our power in the ability to make decisions for our state,” Secretary of State Ken Bennett said.

Aiming to boost participation, the U.S. Census Bureau has posted an interactive map showing response rates in real time for states, counties and municipalities. As of late Wednesday afternoon, Arizona’s response rate was 50 percent, slightly behind the national average of 52 percent.

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Customers dig 3 Roots' Cafe
By Christine Harvey
Special for the Arizona Republic

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The 3 Roots Coffee House and Cafe, an independently owned coffee shop in downtown Tempe, has seen steady business and more customers since its reopening in July.

The shop at 1020 S. Mill Ave. is near Arizona State University's Gammage Auditorium. It provides a culture-friendly environment where a good cup of coffee is not the only thing customers are looking for.

Nicole Thames, a senior at ASU, has been a customer for three years. She said she knows she can count on the warm and inviting atmosphere.

"I can sit here for hours, be completely content and not be bothered by anyone," Thames said. "Or I can make the best conversations with people I have never met. I can ever brings my friends and family in here and know that, no matter what, they will be completely comfortable."

With the cafe under new ownership, an effort has been made to enhance the comfort level. Among the changes were new paint and more artistic pieces. 

The new owner, Ryan Spencer, said he wanted to make the place more lively.

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