It's our quasquicentennial!
While English and humanities studies have been part of the Arizona State University story from the beginning (1885), the Department of English was first mentioned in the 1900 Normal School of Arizona catalog.
In 2025, the Department of English at ASU is celebrating its 125th year as an official department.
Quasquicentennial events and initiatives will be added here as they are confirmed; bookmark this page for updates on what's being planned over the next year. And please reach out if you have any questions in the meantime.
Media
Video: What we learned in the archives
Video: How do you say 'quasquicentennial'?!
Archival Projects
Collecting our stories: We're gathering memories from alumni, faculty, staff, students, and retirees in a digital storybook using the BrightCrowd platform. Please visit to request access.
The History of the English Department, Arizona State University (to 1971) by Katharine C. Turner is now digitized and available to read online at ASU Library. (With gratitude to the Distinctive Collections staff for their hard work!)
Special Events
New! Sep. 25, 2025: 'ASU Book Group: 'Every Sound Is Not a Wolf' by Alberto Ríos 12 p.m.
- ASU Regents Professor Alberto Ríos visits the ASU Book Group in commemoration of National Hispanic Heritage Month to discuss his newest poetry collection, a work that evokes the “soundscape of the Southwest” (Booklist). | Hayden Library, Luhrs Reading, ASU Tempe campus. Register
New! Sep. 25, 2025: TomorrowTalks with T J Klune: 'The Bones Beneath My Skin' 6 p.m.
- NYT bestselling author TJ Klune discusses his sci-fi novel in a TomorrowTalks conversation with ASU faculty and students. | Online. Register
New! Oct. 1, 2025: ASU Common Read with Eliot Stein: 'Custodians of Wonder' 6 p.m.
- BBC journalist Eliot Stein discusses his nonfiction book in an ASU Common Read conversation with ASU faculty and students. | Online. Register
New! Oct. 2025, date TBA: What Is a Quasquicentennial? Exhibit
- An interpretive display covering the first 125 years of the Department of English at ASU, in books, photos and stories. Curated by English and ASU Library staff. | Hayden Library first floor. More information coming soon!
ASU Humanities Week (Oct. 20-24) Anniversary Events
Oct. 23, 2025: ASU Book Group: 'Wild for Austen' by Devoney Looser 12 p.m.
- ASU Regents Professor and Austenite Devoney Looser visits the October 2025 meeting of the ASU Book Group to discuss her latest book. Note: 2025 is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birthday! | Hayden Library, Luhrs Reading Room, ASU Tempe campus. Register
Oct. 23, 2025: The Future is Now: Nnedi Okorafor in Conversation with Matt Bell 3 p.m.
- Sci-fi/fantasy writer Nnedi Okorafor ("Death of the Author" and the "Binti" series) and fiction writer Matt Bell ("Appleseed" and "Refuse to Be Done") talk about writing craft, publishing, Africanfuturism, and more. A reception will follow. | University Club, ASU Tempe campus. RSVP
Ongoing
If you're a graduate of our department, we'd love to be able to keep in touch! Please update your information if you'd like to (re)connect and learn more.