Angelo State University Angelo State University is a public , coeducational , doctoral level degree - granting university located in San Angelo , Texas , United States . It was founded in 1928 as San Angelo College . It gained University status and awarded its first baccalaureate degrees in 1967 and graduate degrees in 1969 , the same year it took on its current name , Angelo State University . It offers over 100 undergraduate programs and 34 graduate programs . It is a member of the Texas Tech University System . Angelo State was named one of " The Best 376 Colleges " in 2013 by " The Princeton Review " . Only four public schools in the State of Texas were listed , the other three being the University of Texas , Texas A & M University and the University of Houston . Additionally it was one of the twenty - two institutions in Texas designated in its regional " Best in the West " rankings . History . The history of the university can be traced to 1928 when San Angelo College was established , following a municipal election held in 1926 . Organized as part of the city school system , the two - year college for many years occupied a site on North Oakes Street near the commercial center of the city . The voters of Tom Green County in 1945 created a County Junior College District and elected the first board of trustees . In 1947 , the first building was constructed on the present university site . The university has experienced a rapid transition from the status of a regional junior college to that of an accredited senior institution of higher learning . Pushed through the legislature by State Senator Dorsey B . Hardeman , a former mayor of San Angelo , the former San Angelo College was transformed into Angelo State College in 1965 by an act of the 58th Session of the Texas State Legislature in 1963 . The transfer of authority from the Board of Trustees of the junior college to the Board of Regents , State Senior Colleges , became effective on September 1 , 1965 . In May 1967 , the first baccalaureate degrees were awarded . Shortly after Hardeman retired from the Senate , the name of the institution was changed to Angelo State University in May 1969 . The graduate program was initiated in 1970 with the start of the university ' s College of Graduate Studies . During a major realignment of the Texas University systems Angelo State University was designated as a member of the Texas State University System in 1975 , along with Sam Houston State University , Southwest Texas State University , and Sul Ross State University , when the 64th Texas Legislature changed the name of the governing board to Board of Regents , Texas State University System . In the fall of 2007 the Alumni Association voted to request a movement to the Texas Tech University System from the Texas State University System . The merger received widespread support in San Angelo and Lubbock , where Texas Tech University is located . The bill was approved , signed by Gov . Rick Perry and voted into the Texas Constitution by the electorate making Angelo State University accountable to the Texas Tech System Board of Regents in late 2007 . The first doctoral program , the Doctorate of Physical Therapy though the College of Nursing and Allied Health was offered in 2009 . Academic profile . Angelo State ' s students come from all across Texas , and students from 46 states and 22 other countries are also represented in the university ' s total enrollment . The admissions policies were considerably revised in 2008 — most notably the requirement that students in the top 11 - 50 percent of their high school class will have to score a 16 on the ACT or a 760 on the SAT to gain regular admittance — with the intention to establish ASU one of the most competitive regional universities in Texas in line with its " Vision 2012 " goal of improving university academic standards and rankings . Angelo State University has been recognized for its academics nationally in many academic and public journals . It has been named one of the " Top 10 Up and Coming Regional Universities " by " U . S . News & World Report " . The " Princeton Review " named Angelo State as one of " The Best 377 Colleges " and one of " The Best Western Colleges " in its 2013 edition for the fourth straight year , placing it among the Top 15 % of colleges nationwide as well as ranking among the most conservative student bodies based upon student surveys . Angelo State was one of only four public universities in Texas to be listed in the " Best 377 " guide , the other three being the University of Houston , the University of Texas and Texas A & M . The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and is classified as a national space - grant institution . The Computer Science Department ' s program in game development has been named one of the “ Top 50 Undergraduate Game Design Programs ” in the nation by the Princeton Review and GamePro Magazine . Angelo State University ’ s nursing program was ranked 64th nationwide for its online graduate degree offerings by U . S . News & World Report . G . I . Jobs , the top publication for military transitioners , has named ASU as a top “ Military Friendly School ” and the university is ranked seventh in the nation on the Air Force ' s list of " Enlisted - Friendly Schools " . The Chronicle of Higher Education , the primary national source for news and job listings in higher education , ranked ASU as one of the top 150 universities to work for . The universities study abroad program was awarded the 2010 Andrew Heiskell Award For Innovation in International Education by the Institute of International Education , the highest award given by the group which boasts over 1 , 000 active member colleges & universities . Out of the over 3 , 000 universities nationwide Angelo State University ranked 85th in endowment funds per student . The interest earned from the endowment goes towards scholarships and academic support . Angelo State University offers over 100 bachelors , 33 masters , and 1 doctoral degree program . The graduate school at Angelo State was authorized by the Board of Regents , State Senior Colleges , on May 15 , 1970 , and approved by The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on October 19 , 1970 . In 2009 the university was authorized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer doctoral level degrees , starting with a doctorate in Physical Therapy . Angelo State University is divided into six colleges including the College of Business , College of Education , College of Liberal and Fine Arts , College of Nursing and Allied Health , College of Sciences , and the College of Graduate Studies Cost & Financial Aid . Angelo State University has historically kept tuition low and given out high amounts of financial aide . Newsweek & The Daily Beast College Rankings rank Angelo State as the 20 ' th " Cheapest " university in the nation when the average amount of gift aide ( scholarships , federal , state , and local grants ) was figured in with the cost of tuition . According to U . S . News & World Report ' s Best Colleges ASU graduates had the fourth lowest student loan debt among regional universities in the 15 western states and the ninth lowest in the nation . In 2009 Angelo State initiated the " Blue and Gold Guarantee " . It provides full tuition and mandatory fees for all accepted Texas freshman whose families earn $ 40 , 000 or less in yearly income . Scholarships . Angelo State ' s Carr Academic Scholarship is one of the largest endowed Academic Scholarships among all regional universities in the nation . Approximately one out of every six Angelo State University students receive Carr Scholarship assistance . It is available to all high academic achievers regardless of family income . The scholarships range from $ 1000 up to $ 15 , 000 annually . The amount of aid awarded is based on academic qualifications including the students High School GPA and SAT or ACT scores . There are an additional 317 endowed and university sponsored scholarship programs available of varying sizes , many for multiple students , through the financial aid office depending on major , academic qualifications , and need as well as other qualifications Campus . The main campus is situated on . It is centered on the campus mall , a tree lined pedestrian walkway which covers over one mile ( 1 . 6 km ) and connects most major buildings . It has changed significantly since 1965 as a result of the development of an ultramodern physical plant now valued at over $ 450 million . The University consists of over 60 buildings encompassing of available space . Major academic buildings include , the Porter Henderson Library which was completed in the fall of 1967 , in the spring of 1968 the Raymond M . Cavness Science Building was opened . An academic building and a ten - story women ' s high rise residence hall and accompanying food service center were opened in September 1968 . A second ten - story residence hall for men opened in September 1969 . The modernization and expansion of the Houston Harte University Center was completed during the summer of 1971 , and a physical education complex was opened in the summer of 1972 . The Robert and Nona Carr Education - Fine Arts Building , completed during the spring of 1976 , provides ultramodern facilities for the Departments of Education , Art and Music , and Communications , Drama , and Journalism . In addition to an extensive array of teaching facilities , many special use areas are incorporated in the building , including the theater , recital hall , band hall , and an area for art design and ceramics . The 60 , 000 square foot ( 5 , 600 m² ) Emil C . Rassman Building , completed during the summer of 1983 , houses the Department of Business Administration , the Department of Accounting , Economics , and Finance , and Department of Aerospace Studies , as well as the office of the Dean of the College of Professional Studies . The Lloyd D . and Johnell S . Vincent Nursing - Physical Science Building was completed during the spring semester of 1985 . Located across the mall from the Physical Education Building and the Emil C . Rassman Building , the building contains approximately 73 , 000 square feet ( 6 , 800 m² ) arranged over two floors . The building houses the University ' s nursing program , the Physics and Geosciences Department , and offices for the Dean of the College of Sciences and the Dean of the Graduate School . Specialized teaching and laboratory facilities are included for physics , physical science , geology and nursing . The building houses one of the largest planetarium s among the nation ' s colleges and universities , featuring a 50 foot ( 15 m ) dome and seating for 114 . The facility is used as a lecture hall and for other special programs . It is also used in conjunction with academic courses in astronomy and for public shows . The 86 , 000 square foot ( 8 , 000 m² ) Mathematics - Computer Science Building , completed in 1996 , houses the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Computer Science as well as facilities to support the University ' s mainframe computing services . Other recent additions include expansion of the Cavness Science Building , construction of the new Texan Hall residences , and adding an additional floor to the Porter Henderson Library to accommodate the Communications , Drama & Journalism department and Honors Program . The Management Instruction and Research Center is a ranch on O . C . Fisher Lake , property which Angelo State has under long - term lease from the US Corps of Engineers . These facilities support the programs in animal science and biology and a wide range of management and research activities . Future development . Angelo State University ' s master plan calls on the university to meet the future educational needs of Texas by increasing to 10 , 000 students by 2028 . In accordance with this , it has created " Vision 2012 " and is in the process of a planned multi - million construction campaign . There are several large projects currently under construction . A new $ 12M expansion of the Center for Human Performance will offer more space for modern aerobic & weight training space , a rock - climbing wall and an indoor jogging track . A $ 4M renovation of the first floor of the Porter Henderson Library has recently been completed , creating an Information Commons . The Information Commons provides high - tech private and group study sections with numerous internet stations , enhanced group study rooms and a coffee shop for student use . $ 2 million dollars in landscaping and campus beautification projects are currently under way . This includes a complete renovation of the courtyard at Vanderventer Apartments . The university is in the planning stages of a proposed mixed - use development on of university property off Knickerbocker Road . The proposed development would have graduate and married student housing along with retail , office and restaurant space to serve students and residents of San Angelo . The development would improve student housing as well as provide prime retail space and make for an improved university entrance . Additionally it would provide the school with funds from leasing the space in conjuncture with Midway Companies of Houston who is leading the project . Other planned projects are dependent on funding . The Texas legislature approved no capital improvement funds for 2009 - 2011 for any public universities . These planned projects include a new center for the newly created College of Nursing and Allied Health . Also in the planning stages is a Performing Arts Center on the Concho River This along with the Angelo State University owned San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts will create a downtown San Angelo arts triangle . Safety and Security . The campus of Angelo State University is one of the safest in the nation . There are 13 emergency call boxes strategically spread across campus . In the case of an emergency and the need for immediate assistance , all calls are routed directly to the Angelo State Police Department . The Angelo State University Police Department employs 14 full - time police officers , all certified state peace officers , with the same qualifications and powers that municipal police departments deploy . They patrol the campus 24 / 7 , 365 days a year . The ASU Alert system sends out messages to all campus emails and cell phones registered through the system in the case of any campus or regional emergency . Student life . In accordance with its mission as a residential campus , there are over 100 student organizations that play an important role in the social scene at Angelo State . Some of these include National Greek Fraternities and Sororities , such as Lambda Chi Alpha , Tau Kappa Epsilon , Pi Kappa Alpha , Delta Zeta , and Sigma Kappa , as well as numerous academic and professional organizations , boards and councils , honor societies , religious organizations , special interest organizations , and intramural sports . The Houston Harte University Center serves students ' recreational and community needs . For student recreation , it offers multiple pool tables , ping pong tables , air hockey tables , ample couch and student meeting areas , as well as multiple large flat screen plasma televisions equipped with DirecTV and Xbox 360 game consoles for student use . Cuisine wise in addition to Roscoe ' s Bistro , a traditional university buffet serving the west side of campus , the University Center snack bar features stands offering pizza , Chinese cuisine , a salad bar , American grill food stand , as well as Starbucks , Chick - fil - A , and Blimpie Subs and Salads . It also houses the Student Credit Union , the Campus Bookstore , the Student Life Office , the Center for Student Involvement , Student Senate offices , the Non Traditional Students Lounge , The Multi - Cultural Center and the C . J . Davidson Conference Center . The University Center for Human Performance features indoor basketball courts , four racquetball courts , an indoor elevated jogging track , an indoor rock climbing gym , hardwood floor multipurpose rooms for fitness / aerobic classes , locker rooms and shower facilities for student use , an indoor pool and a state of the art modern two story gym with large windows facing the out towards the university mall . The Junell Center also has a large gym available primarily for student athletes but open to all ASU students . A Disc Golf course runs along the Mall and Memorial Oak Grove . For tennis players there are 12 tennis courts available across campus . Lake House . The off campus Angelo State Lake House at nearby Lake Nasworthy offers many recreational opportunities for students . The Lake House provides lake and beach access , a basketball court , playground , and sand volleyball courts , as well as canoes and kayaks for free student use . It also provides meeting and recreational rooms as well as cooking facilities for students , faculty and student organizations . Student Housing . The University provides on - campus housing for over 1 , 650 students . Over 25 % of the student body resides on campus . All units provide individually controlled air - conditioning units , phone and cable television service , data connections and access to the university Wi - Fi network . Rent includes all utilities . Options range from traditional dormitory units to those that offer private bedroom suites with a common living area and kitchenette . All halls have resident assistants who live in the building to assist students . The residential halls include Carr Hall , Centennial Village , Concho Hall , Massie Hall , Texan Hall , Plaza Verde , and Vanderventer Apartments . Since campus academic enrollment exceeds the capacity of on - campus housing , the University is in the process of adding more residence halls . Popular off - campus locations include " The Grove " and " Angelo Place " . Both are relatively close to campus , they offer individual leases and cater to student living . Student media . The university operates " Ram TV " , available locally in San Angelo on SuddenLink cable channel 6 . The channel operates 24 hours a day , featuring new original programing Monday through Thursday during prime time . The " Ram Page " is the university ' s official weekly published student - run newspaper . The " Ramdiculous Page " is a satirical newspaper independently produced on campus by Angelo State students . Ram Radio is an Internet station broadcasting 24 hours a day . Angelo State will also soon contribute news reports to the newly acquired local NPR station KNCH . Students may access ASU news information on their iPhones with the new release of the ASU Mobile app . All student media offices and studios are located on the 3rd floor of the Library . Intramural and Club Sports . Approximately 21 % of students are involved in some kind of intramural sport at Angelo State . Intramural sports available include Flag Football , Table Tennis , Badminton , Volleyball , Soccer , Ultimate Frisbee , Kickball , Basketball , Racquetball , Tennis , Disc Golf , Volleyball , Softball and Golf . Angelo State club sports include Rodeo , Rugby , Ultimate Frisbee , Bass fishing , Handball , Racquetball , and Powerlifting . ASU has extensive facilities available for intramural athletics . There are four landscaped and lighted fields designated for intramural use available on campus for intramural football and soccer games and three softball fields . The university also owns and maintains the off - campus SAY Baseball Complex which has two NCAA Competition Class baseball fields and one softball field . The complex also includes a clubhouse & indoor batting cages for the ASU Baseball and Softball teams practice use , as well as student recreational use . Intramural basketball teams play in the recreational Center for Human Performance gym . Three racquetball courts are also located in the CHP . In 2009 the Angelo State University competitive flag football team " The Invisibles " beat out the University of South Florida and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to win the National Campus Championship Series Flag Football Championships in Tampa , Florida . The ASU Intramural Football team followed that up in 2010 winning the American Collegiate Intramural Sports National Championship , was runner - up in 2011 and again won the National Championship in 2012 . Athletics . Angelo State University ' s sports teams participate in the NCAA DII Lone Star Conference . Attendance and support of ASU athletics is high , in DII attendance at ASU athletic games has ranked in the Top 20 schools in the nation 15 times in the last 20 years . National highlights include Angelo State University ' s 1957 Rams Basketball NJCAA National Championship , 1978 Football NAIA Division I National Championship , 2004 Rambelles NCAA Softball Division II National Championship , and the 2010 Rambelles NCAA Division II National Track and Field Championship . Angelo State University fields 13 men ' s & women ' s varsity sports including baseball , basketball , cross country , football , golf , indoor track & field , soccer , softball , track & field and volleyball . The Rams football team plays its home games at San Angelo Stadium located one block south of the main campus , which holds over 17 , 500 people and is the third largest facility in all of NCAA Division II American football . The stadium recently added a $ 7m field house facility . The Rams ' and Rambelles ' basketball teams , as well as the Rambelles ' volleyball team , play at Stephens Arena located inside the Junell Center . The arena accommodates audiences of up to 6 , 500 , the fourth largest in all NCAA Division II athletics , and features a 9x12 foot video screen , the largest of its kind in the Lone Star Conference . The Rams Baseball team plays at Foster Field . Built in 1999 The $ 4 . 5m field features 4 , 200 permanent seats making it the largest on campus Baseball stadium in NCAA Division II . It also includes a Triple - A lighting system and a wide , high LED scoreboard complete with a high - definition video screen , making it also the largest in Division II . The on campus field is shared with the local minor league San Angelo Colts . The Rams track and field team compete at the LeGrand Sports Complex . The complex features a 400 - meter all - weather track with 200 - meter straightaway , throwing areas , full press box facilities and seating for 3 , 000 people . The facility has been the site for the 1988 , 1991 , 1992 , 2002 and 2009 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships . The Rambelles softball field was completed in 2001 . The field features two dugout facilities that include team bathrooms and washrooms , team benches , bag and bat storage areas . The field also includes a pressbox overlooking home plate with seating for six , a concession stand as well as a complete sound and public address system and a deluxe inning - by - inning scoreboard and a mini - athletic training facility with an area for pre - game preparation and injury treatment at the field . Traditions . Homecoming . Homecoming is a historic ritual jointly run by the Alumni Association , the university and the students . Activities include a pep rally followed by a torch parade to light the bonfire ; a homecoming through downtown San Angelo and the football game . The crowning of the Homecoming Queen and King is held during the game ' s halftime . Throughout the week leading up to the game , student organizations compete for the Spirit Stick , given to the group who has shown the most spirit and contributed the most to the many tasks required to make the event a success . Since 1975 , Angelo State University ' s Air Force ROTC Detachment 847 has built the bonfire . It is also a tradition to soapsud the fountain outside Stephens Arena . For Alumni they hold the annual Alumni Awards Banquet , honoring distinguished alumni and university donors . Ram Jam . The official Ram Jam was started by the Alumni Association in 2003 and has grown from there to become the large pre - game Football tailgating parties that they are today . During the Fall semester outside the Legrand Alumni Center students , alumni & community members park their cars in the parking lot and hang out around the center to grill & socialize . The events also feature local bands to provide entertainment , free food & refreshments , bounce houses & other games for kids and alcoholic beverages for those 21 and up . The Ram Band , the ASU dance team the Angelettes and the ASU Cheerleaders also perform and everyone walks over to the stadium prior to the game . Ram ’ s Head . The Ram ' s Head sign is made by bending the middle and ring fingers down over the palm and covering them with the thumb . The extended index and pinky fingers are then bent halfway to represent the curve of the horns . The sign is used at various times during athletic events and typically during the playing of the Alma Mater . Ring Ceremony . Prior to each commencement , the ASU Alumni Association hosts a ring ceremony where the university president presents class rings to recipients . Appearing at each ceremony is ASU ' s mascot , Dominic . After receiving their rings , recipients touch their rings to Dominic ' s horns for strength , or rub them through his wool for luck . Though Angelo State rings have existed since the beginning of the University a new official ASU ring was introduced by the ASU Alumni Society in 2003 . The top of the Angelo State class ring presents the ASU seal . One side of the ring shows the State of Texas with a star marking San Angelo ; below that , an oak branch . On the other side is an image of the mascot , Dominic . Mascots . A purebred Rambouillet ram , Dominic , stands as a symbol of Angelo State University and the institution ' s ties to the region and its people . The first Rambouillet ram , named " Shorty , " was donated to the college in 1940 by area rancher D . T . Jones , who had two daughters attending the school at the time . Angelo State ' s ram went by a variety of names until 1964 , when the student body held an election to decide on a permanent moniker and " Dominic " won out . Today Dominic is a regular fixture at ASU activities , ranging from the ring ceremony to outdoor athletic events . He is typically kept close to the end zone at Angelo State football games . Two costumed mascots , Roscoe and Bella , appear at most athletic events and many community activities where they lead cheers and interact with students and fans . Roscoe has appeared at many games since the 1960s courtesy of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity , one of the oldest & most active fraternities on the ASU campus . Bella made her debut in October 2010 , supported by the Delta Zeta she appears with Roscoe & the ASU cheerleaders at most athletic & student body events . Both students portraying the mascots are sworn to everlasting secrecy to retain the Ram legacy . Notable alumni . Angelo State University has a large and active alumni base . A common indicator of university stature is set by past graduates ' success . Angelo State University Alumni have gone on to succeed in every profession on the State & National level . They include major executives at Fortune 500 companies , Emmy award nominated actors , Grammy Award winning musicians , Super Bowl winners , # 1 The New York Times Best Seller list Authors , Texas Supreme Court Justices , Texas State Representatives and Senators and United States Congressmen .