Arizona State University will use a $115 million gift to establish the new Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures.
The donation from the Rob Walton Foundation is the largest one ever made to ASU. It will also rename ASU’s College of Global Futures to the Rob Walton College of Global Futures.
A statement from ASU said the name recognizes "Walton’s long-term commitment to planetary health and sustainability."
Walton is a longtime supporter of the university and its sustainability efforts.
The new school is designed to reshape the practice and teaching of conservation science. It will integrate "cutting-edge biodiversity science with real-world conservation solutions."
Peter Schlosser, ASU vice president and vice provost of Global Futures, said the entity will work to preserve ecosystems and develop new conservation strategies.
“We will actually operate, not just here in Tempe, but also in many places around the world where we have hotspots where conservation is a critical point and has to be delivered," Schlosser said.
They've already pinpointed projects in Hawaii and Africa. Schlosser said the planet is experiencing a rapid loss in biodiversity and ecosystem functions that could create a crisis in the future.
“We believe that we actually have the knowledge to change that course and part of what that school will do is train the learners in these domains so that they can go out and make decisions that will reverse some of these negative trends," Schlosser said.
The school will offer graduate degrees, certificate programs and eventually undergraduate degrees. It will also provide opportunities for nontraditional learners and professionals seeking advanced credentials in the field.
-
Cindy McCain is returning to ASU’s McCain Institute Board of Trustees. The board unanimously voted her back in as board co-chair of the leadership program inspired by the late Sen. John McCain. -
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to determine if it will list the monarch butterfly on the endangered species list by June 2030. -
ASU’s hockey coach is officially out amid a probe into a player’s collapse during practice. -
Gov. Katie Hobbs is touting a water initiative at Arizona State University jumpstarted by her Republican predecessor that aims to ensure the state has an adequate supply of water in the future. -
Hailey Nelson wants to go into space. But first, she completed an earth-bound mission as an analog astronaut.
