A lot can happen over the course of a college career. Here is a look at what this spring’s graduating seniors have witnessed during their time at ASU.

2005-2006 school year

• Hurricane Katrina: On Aug. 28, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the southern coast of the United States. More than 1,800 people died, and more than $81 million in damages occurred. More than 500 refugees came to Arizona, where they received food, medical care and temporary housing.
• University of Phoenix stadium: On Aug.1, 2006, the 63,400-seat University of Phoenix stadium opened after three years of construction. The Arizona Cardinals stopped using ASU’s Sun Devil Stadium for games and practices.

2006-2007 school year

• Downtown campus: ASU opened the Downtown Phoenix Campus in August 2006. The campus eventually came to include the University Center, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation, the College of Public Programs, the School of Letters and Sciences, the College of Teacher Education & Leadership and Barrett, The Honors College.
• School of Sustainability: ASU opened the nation’s first sustainability school in January 2007. It’s part of the Global Institute of Sustainability, and its goal is to develop solutions to environmental, economic and social challenges of sustainability and how they relate to urban areas.

2007-2008 school year

• MU fire: On Nov. 1, 2007, 5,000 people were evacuated from ASU’s Memorial Union on the Tempe campus after a fire started on the third floor. New sprinklers and fire alarm systems were installed by the following semester.
• Honors campus: ASU broke ground on the nation’s first honors-college campus for Barrett, The Honors College in November 2007. The eight-acre, $130 million campus will open in Fall 2009.
• Super Bowl XLII: Arizona hosted the 42nd Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants at the University of Phoenix stadium. The Giants ended up winning 17-14.

2008-2009 school year

• MU reopens: The Memorial Union officially reopened in August 2008 after undergoing $53 million renovations.
• Storm damage: On Aug. 28, 2008, a powerful storm swept through the Valley, downing trees and temporarily displacing on-campus residents. The storm also destroyed the $8.4 million football practice facility near Rural Road and University Drive.
• Obama becomes president: On Nov. 4, 2008, Barack Obama beat John McCain 53 percent to 46 to become the 44th President of the United States. Obama also made history by becoming the country’s first African-American president.
• Light rail: In December 2008, the Valley’s Metro Light Rail system officially opened. The track runs through Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, and connects the ASU Tempe campus with the Downtown campus.
• Budget cuts: ASU experienced a $90 million cut in state funding at the beginning of the Spring semester. The University prepared itself to lose $50 million, but asked the Arizona Board of Regents for a tuition surcharge to recover the rest.