Tag: PR Newswire

10th annual virtual event will tackle housing affordability, climate risk, insurance instability, and the future of housing.

LAKE CITY, Colo., May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Green Builder Media announces its 10th Annual Sustainability Symposium: Systems Reckoning, a free virtual event taking place June 3–4, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET each day.

The Symposium will explore how inflation, insurance instability, and accelerating climate risk are exposing fundamental weaknesses in housing, energy, and economic systems—and what must change to address them.

“We can’t solve today’s challenges with outdated frameworks,” says Sara Gutterman, CEO of Green Builder Media. “This event is about rethinking value, risk, and performance at a systems level.”

Sessions will address the affordability crisis, evolving risk models, regenerative land strategies, and the shifting role of energy in economic stability and resilience.

June 3, 12–3 p.m. ET

• The Affordability Reckoning: Reframing the Solution—Sara Gutterman, CEO, Green Builder Media
• Power Shift: Rethinking Energy in a World at Risk—Bill McKibben, Founder, 350.org and Third Act
• Designing Demand—Lena Hansen, Chief Program Officer, RMI

June 4, 12–3 p.m. ET

• Resilience Is the New Affordability—Laura Sullivan, Correspondent, NPR Investigations
• Land, Capital, and the Long View: Rethinking Value from the Ground Up—Neal Collins, Founder, Latitude Regenerative Real Estate; Founding Partner, Hamlet Capital, and Tom Hoban, President and Chief Investment Officer, Kitson & Partners
• New Rules and Risk Models: Fixing the Math—Andrew Winston, Sustainability Expert and Author

The Sustainability Symposium is made possible by our generous partners, Trane and Whirlpool.

Registration is free! Click here to reserve your seat.

About Green Builder Media

Green Builder Media is North America’s leading media company focused on green building and sustainable living. Through its publications, data platforms, and events, the company provides actionable insights that drive the development of more efficient, resilient, and healthy homes and communities.

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SOURCE Green Builder Media, LLC

The Indianapolis home service company’s community food drive will help stock a pantry serving 200 people a month

INDIANAPOLIS, May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Complete Comfort Heating, Air and Plumbing, a family-owned HVAC and plumbing service provider serving the Indianapolis area, recently donated more than 1,200 pounds of shelf-stable food to The Refuge, a food pantry in Greenwood, Indiana, dedicated to supporting individuals and families in crisis.

The donation was collected through a community food drive organized by Complete Comfort. In addition to collecting food items from employees, the home service company also provided free maintenance services to customers who donated non-perishable food items. The collected items help stock The Refuge’s food pantry and support its outreach programs.

“We believe in taking care of our community both inside and outside the home,” Complete Comfort Operations Manager Andrew Laughner said. “Supporting The Refuge is one way we can honor that commitment. Their mission is incredibly important, and we’re proud to stand behind an organization that provides consistent access to nutritious food for individuals and families facing hardships.”

The Refuge’s food pantry assists more than 200 people per month,  and that need goes up when the cost of groceries, gas or housing costs rise. The organization also provides a range of services designed to meet immediate needs while fostering long-term stability, including:

• Emergency housing and shelter support
• Crisis intervention and stabilization services
• Life skills development and educational programs
• Employment and resource assistance

“The Refuge is blessed multiple times a year by the food donations from Complete Comfort,” said The Refuge Office Manager Stacie Ruff. “It is wonderful to live in a community that works together to help our food-insecure families. We look forward to our partnership with Complete Comfort growing and continuing to make an impact in our small part of the world.”

Complete Comfort plans to continue its outreach efforts through community-focused programs that support local families and strengthen the region.

“As a family-owned company built on trust, service and putting people first, giving back is a core part of who Complete Comfort is,” Laughner said. “We live here, raise our families here and care deeply about the people in this area. Giving back like this is important to us because we want to make a positive difference in our community.”

For more information about Complete Comfort Heating, Air and Plumbing, call them at (317) 659-9030 or visit https://completecomfortgo.com/.

About Complete Comfort Heating, Air and Plumbing
Complete Comfort Heating, Air and Plumbing is a trusted provider of HVAC and plumbing services in the greater Indianapolis area. Owned by local businessman Kenneth Hale, the company is known for its commitment to quality workmanship and customer satisfaction. It offers comprehensive heating, cooling and plumbing solutions for residential and commercial customers. With a focus on integrity, reliability and community involvement, Complete Comfort strives to deliver comfort and peace of mind to every customer it serves. For more information, visit completecomfortgo.com/.

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SOURCE Complete Comfort Heating, Air and Plumbing

Data provides baseline measurement for tracking change at one of Earth’s last tropical ice fields

WESTMINSTER, Colo., May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trimble today announced its continued support of Project Pressure by providing advanced GNSS positioning technology and research funding for the nonprofit organization’s latest expedition to map the disappearing tropical glaciers of Puncak Jaya in Papua, Indonesia.

Project Pressure has released a centimeter-accurate, 3D model of the receding ice, created using Trimble positioning technology and drone-based photogrammetry. The model establishes a scientific baseline for calculating the rate of glacier recession and projecting the timeline of disappearance. Local communities also use the data to make informed choices about crop selection and prepare for expected water shortages caused by the loss of these vital reservoirs. This expedition marks the third successful outing in Project Pressure’s Melting Topics series, which focuses on mapping equatorial glaciers.

“Trimble is proud to provide its GNSS mapping technology and research funding from the Trimble Foundation Fund to support Project Pressure in gathering critical data in some of the world’s most remote and hostile environments. Mapping these glaciers before they disappear is of critical importance to establish a baseline to track the glacial regression and for the local communities to understand what is happening with their water source, allowing them to adapt to a changing climate,” said Eliot Jones, senior manager, strategy and partner development at Trimble. “Through a combination of precision technology, detailed project planning and rigorous science, the models created by Project Pressure are shared for scientific study and provide a visual reference for future generations.”

Precision under pressure in hostile terrain

Mapping glaciers at altitudes exceeding 4,800 meters (15,000 feet) presents extreme logistical and environmental challenges. Near-constant cloud cover and heavy rainfall in Papua often render satellite imagery unusable, making ground-based georeferencing essential.

The expedition team installed precise geolocation reference points directly on the glacial surface at multiple locations. Using the Trimble^® Catalyst™ DA2 GNSS system and Trimble TDC600 handheld, researchers captured the exact coordinates of those points with centimeter-level accuracy. Drone imagery was then processed against the Trimble coordinates to produce a scientifically reliable 3D model of the glacier.

“Trimble makes incredibly complex technology feel simple in the field,” said Klaus Thymann, scientist and lead explorer. “When you’re standing on a glacier in freezing conditions, wearing thick gloves and surrounded by clouds, you don’t have time to fight with equipment. With Trimble, I can capture centimeter-accurate readings and the interface is so intuitive that even someone with no prior training can help collect data. That kind of reliability and simplicity is critical when you’re working in some of the most remote and challenging environments in the world.”

This approach builds on methods developed during Project Pressure’s 2024 expedition to the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda, which also utilized Trimble technology.

Puncak Jaya, the highest peak in Oceania and one of the Seven Summits, is expected to be the first of the seven continental peaks to lose its glaciers as global temperatures rise. The lightweight Trimble Catalyst DA2 GNSS system was critical for the expedition, which required helicopter access to Basecamp, followed by a trek to the launch point.

About Trimble
Trimble is a global technology company that connects the physical and digital worlds, transforming the ways work gets done. With relentless innovation in precise positioning, modeling and data analytics, Trimble enables essential industries including construction, geospatial and transportation. Whether it’s helping customers build and maintain infrastructure, design and construct buildings, optimize global supply chains or map the world, Trimble is at the forefront, driving productivity and progress. For more information about Trimble, visit: www.trimble.com.

About Project Pressure
Project Pressure is a charity with an ecological and climate focus founded by explorer and scientist Klaus Thymann in 2008. Project Pressure instigates, conceptualizes, and leads ambitious change-driven projects with an emphasis on field-building. The organization has been a contributor to the Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers since 2011. Partnerships have included the UN, UNESCO, NASA, and World Glacier Monitoring Service. www.project-pressure.org

GTRMB

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SOURCE Trimble

Through its annual Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship, NU is awarding $150,000 to support spouses pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.

SAN DIEGO, May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Military spouses are driven, adaptable learners who pursue higher education while navigating service-related relocations and career transitions. In support of their ambitions and as part of its enduring commitment to the military community, National University (NU), a veteran founded nonprofit, awarded its annual Whisper Military Spouse Scholarships to a new group of spouses pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.

The Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship, named in honor of Whisper Snyder, was created to recognize the experiences, resilience, and educational goals of military spouses through meaningful financial support.

“As a National University alum and former military spouse, it continues to mean so much to see this scholarship supporting others on their educational journeys,” said Snyder. “I know how challenging it can be to pursue your own goals while supporting a service member, and this scholarship is meant to remind spouses that their dreams matter and deserve support.”

Since the scholarship was established in 2022 National University has awarded the Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship to 96 recipients, distributing $835,000 in scholarship support. In 2025 alone, NU awarded $150,000 to 15 military spouses, helping students pursue degrees across a wide range of fields.

For many recipients, the scholarship provides the financial support needed to turn long held educational goals into reality.

“When I found out I was one of the recipients of this scholarship, I almost started crying,” said Savanna Clarke, a past Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship recipient. “Despite loving school, I avoided college for years because I did not think I would ever have the financial means to go. Receiving this scholarship means everything to me. It is helping me complete the degree I have dreamed of.”

“Military spouses bring extraordinary resilience and leadership to everything they do. The Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship is one way we honor their service and support what comes next, and at National University, we are proud to stand with military families as they pursue their educational and career goals,” said Dr. Mark D. Milliron, president and CEO of National University.

The Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship is part of National University’s broader commitment to serving military affiliated learners. A nationally recognized military-friendly institution and Yellow Ribbon School, NU offers reduced tuition for active duty service members and eligible dependents, credit for military training, dedicated military and veteran support teams, and flexible programs designed to align with the realities of military life. The university is also a recipient of the Veterans Support and Transition Assistance Grant Program, which expands access to education services for veterans and military affiliated learners.

National University has further strengthened its support through the opening of the LA Campus Veteran and Military Community Center and serves as a Military Spouse Employment Partnership partner, reinforcing its commitment to supporting military families through education and career aligned opportunities.

“The Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship reflects our belief in education as a powerful pathway to opportunity. Supporting military spouses requires more than flexibility. It requires intentional investment, and through this scholarship, National University is helping spouses stay on track academically despite the realities of military life, from relocation to career interruptions,” said Meg O’Grady, senior vice president of military and government affairs.

Known as the home of the ANDers™, National University serves learners who are advancing their education while managing work, family, service, and other responsibilities. To learn more about the Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship and National University’s support for military affiliated students, visit https://www.nu.edu/military-and-veterans/

About National University
National University, a Veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of nontraditional, working, and military students by providing accessible, affordable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego’s largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 150 online and on-campus programs with flexible four-week and eight-week classes and one-to-one graduate education models designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to 130,000 learners served per year—50,000 degree-seeking students and 80,000 workforce and professional development students—and 250,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. To learn more about National University’s new possibilities in education including next-generation education, value-rich education, and whole human education, visit NU.edu.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-university-invests-in-military-spouses-through-150-000-in-education-scholarships-302768705.html

SOURCE National University

Through its annual Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship, NU is awarding $150,000 to support spouses pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.

SAN DIEGO, May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Military spouses are driven, adaptable learners who pursue higher education while navigating service-related relocations and career transitions. In support of their ambitions and as part of its enduring commitment to the military community, National University (NU), a veteran founded nonprofit, awarded its annual Whisper Military Spouse Scholarships to a new group of spouses pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.

The Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship, named in honor of Whisper Snyder, was created to recognize the experiences, resilience, and educational goals of military spouses through meaningful financial support.

“As a National University alum and former military spouse, it continues to mean so much to see this scholarship supporting others on their educational journeys,” said Snyder. “I know how challenging it can be to pursue your own goals while supporting a service member, and this scholarship is meant to remind spouses that their dreams matter and deserve support.”

Since the scholarship was established in 2022 National University has awarded the Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship to 96 recipients, distributing $835,000 in scholarship support. In 2025 alone, NU awarded $150,000 to 15 military spouses, helping students pursue degrees across a wide range of fields.

For many recipients, the scholarship provides the financial support needed to turn long held educational goals into reality.

“When I found out I was one of the recipients of this scholarship, I almost started crying,” said Savanna Clarke, a past Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship recipient. “Despite loving school, I avoided college for years because I did not think I would ever have the financial means to go. Receiving this scholarship means everything to me. It is helping me complete the degree I have dreamed of.”

“Military spouses bring extraordinary resilience and leadership to everything they do. The Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship is one way we honor their service and support what comes next, and at National University, we are proud to stand with military families as they pursue their educational and career goals,” said Dr. Mark D. Milliron, president and CEO of National University.

The Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship is part of National University’s broader commitment to serving military affiliated learners. A nationally recognized military-friendly institution and Yellow Ribbon School, NU offers reduced tuition for active duty service members and eligible dependents, credit for military training, dedicated military and veteran support teams, and flexible programs designed to align with the realities of military life. The university is also a recipient of the Veterans Support and Transition Assistance Grant Program, which expands access to education services for veterans and military affiliated learners.

National University has further strengthened its support through the opening of the LA Campus Veteran and Military Community Center and serves as a Military Spouse Employment Partnership partner, reinforcing its commitment to supporting military families through education and career aligned opportunities.

“The Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship reflects our belief in education as a powerful pathway to opportunity. Supporting military spouses requires more than flexibility. It requires intentional investment, and through this scholarship, National University is helping spouses stay on track academically despite the realities of military life, from relocation to career interruptions,” said Meg O’Grady, senior vice president of military and government affairs.

Known as the home of the ANDers™, National University serves learners who are advancing their education while managing work, family, service, and other responsibilities. To learn more about the Whisper Military Spouse Scholarship and National University’s support for military affiliated students, visit https://www.nu.edu/military-and-veterans/

About National University
National University, a Veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of nontraditional, working, and military students by providing accessible, affordable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego’s largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 150 online and on-campus programs with flexible four-week and eight-week classes and one-to-one graduate education models designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to 130,000 learners served per year—50,000 degree-seeking students and 80,000 workforce and professional development students—and 250,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. To learn more about National University’s new possibilities in education including next-generation education, value-rich education, and whole human education, visit NU.edu.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-university-invests-in-military-spouses-through-150-000-in-education-scholarships-302768705.html

SOURCE National University

REYKJAVÍK, Iceland, May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — atNorth, the leading Nordic high-density colocation and built-to-suit data center provider, today announced it has joined Nordic Compass (The Nordic Round Table for Industry), a new pan-Nordic alliance established to strengthen Nordic and European competitiveness, resilience and industrial innovation.

Chaired by former Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen, Nordic Compass brings together leading companies, foundations and organizations from across the region to accelerate coordinated action across strategically important sectors, including Capital Markets, Deep Tech, Defense and Energy.

The alliance will present its first set of initiatives at the Nordic Compass Summit in Gothenburg, Sweden, in November 2026.

Advancing Nordic collaboration and sustainable growth

The initiative comes at a time when Europe is accelerating efforts to strengthen technological sovereignty, secure critical infrastructure and support sustainable industrial growth. The Nordic region is already home to globally leading digital, industrial and energy capabilities, yet significant opportunities remain for deeper cross-border collaboration. Nordic Compass seeks to unlock this potential by bringing together industry leaders to align on shared priorities and deliver tangible outcomes.

“Across atNorth, we see firsthand the increasing convergence of digital infrastructure, energy systems and advanced compute across the Nordics,” said Eva Sóley Guðbjörnsdóttir, Chief Financial Officer & Deputy CEO at atNorth. “By working together through Nordic Compass, we can bolster the Nordic’s position in leading sustainable industrial development, helping to accelerate innovation and strengthen regional competitiveness”.

atNorth’s participation reflects the company’s continued commitment to supporting sustainable, sovereign and energy-efficient digital infrastructure across the Nordics. The company is already a signatory of the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact and a participant in global initiatives including the UN Global Compact, as well as being an active member of the European Data Center Association (EUDCA) and other regional data center industry associations in the Nordics. With operations spanning Iceland, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, atNorth is well positioned to contribute knowledgeably to discussions and initiatives relating to AI infrastructure, high-performance computing, energy optimization and long-term digital resilience.

Nordic Compass brings together more than 25 leading Nordic organisations including Aker ASA, Alfa Laval, Danfoss, Embla Medical, EY, KONE, Nasdaq Nordic, Nordea, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Vattenfall and Ørsted among others. Through these partnerships, atNorth hopes to support the growth of the Nordic digital infrastructure ecosystem as a leading example to global markets.

About atNorth

atNorth is a leading Nordic data center company that offers cost-effective, scalable high-density colocation and built-to-suit services trusted by industry-leading organizations.

With sustainability at its core, atNorth’s data centers run on renewable energy resources and support circular economy principles. All atNorth sites leverage innovative design, power efficiency, and intelligent operations to provide long-term infrastructure and flexible colocation deployments.

atNorth is headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland and operates eight data centers in strategic locations across the Nordics, as well as a ninth under construction in Kouvola, Finland, a tenth site in Ølgod, Denmark and an eleventh campus in Stockholm, Sweden. The business has also announced a new mega site development in the Sollefteå Municipality in Sweden.

For more information, visit atNorth.com or follow atNorth on LinkedIn.

Press Contact:
Laura Cameron
Mead Cameron for atNorth
+44 (0) 7740 948 378
laura@meadcameron.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

https://news.cision.com/atnorth/r/atnorth-joins-nordic-compass-to-support-nordic-competitiveness–resilience-and-industrial-innovation,c4347604

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SOURCE atNorth

REYKJAVÍK, Iceland, May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — atNorth, the leading Nordic high-density colocation and built-to-suit data center provider, today announced it has joined Nordic Compass (The Nordic Round Table for Industry), a new pan-Nordic alliance established to strengthen Nordic and European competitiveness, resilience and industrial innovation.

Chaired by former Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen, Nordic Compass brings together leading companies, foundations and organizations from across the region to accelerate coordinated action across strategically important sectors, including Capital Markets, Deep Tech, Defense and Energy.

The alliance will present its first set of initiatives at the Nordic Compass Summit in Gothenburg, Sweden, in November 2026.

Advancing Nordic collaboration and sustainable growth

The initiative comes at a time when Europe is accelerating efforts to strengthen technological sovereignty, secure critical infrastructure and support sustainable industrial growth. The Nordic region is already home to globally leading digital, industrial and energy capabilities, yet significant opportunities remain for deeper cross-border collaboration. Nordic Compass seeks to unlock this potential by bringing together industry leaders to align on shared priorities and deliver tangible outcomes.

“Across atNorth, we see firsthand the increasing convergence of digital infrastructure, energy systems and advanced compute across the Nordics,” said Eva Sóley Guðbjörnsdóttir, Chief Financial Officer & Deputy CEO at atNorth. “By working together through Nordic Compass, we can bolster the Nordic’s position in leading sustainable industrial development, helping to accelerate innovation and strengthen regional competitiveness”.

atNorth’s participation reflects the company’s continued commitment to supporting sustainable, sovereign and energy-efficient digital infrastructure across the Nordics. The company is already a signatory of the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact and a participant in global initiatives including the UN Global Compact, as well as being an active member of the European Data Center Association (EUDCA) and other regional data center industry associations in the Nordics. With operations spanning Iceland, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, atNorth is well positioned to contribute knowledgeably to discussions and initiatives relating to AI infrastructure, high-performance computing, energy optimization and long-term digital resilience.

Nordic Compass brings together more than 25 leading Nordic organisations including Aker ASA, Alfa Laval, Danfoss, Embla Medical, EY, KONE, Nasdaq Nordic, Nordea, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Vattenfall and Ørsted among others. Through these partnerships, atNorth hopes to support the growth of the Nordic digital infrastructure ecosystem as a leading example to global markets.

About atNorth

atNorth is a leading Nordic data center company that offers cost-effective, scalable high-density colocation and built-to-suit services trusted by industry-leading organizations.

With sustainability at its core, atNorth’s data centers run on renewable energy resources and support circular economy principles. All atNorth sites leverage innovative design, power efficiency, and intelligent operations to provide long-term infrastructure and flexible colocation deployments.

atNorth is headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland and operates eight data centers in strategic locations across the Nordics, as well as a ninth under construction in Kouvola, Finland, a tenth site in Ølgod, Denmark and an eleventh campus in Stockholm, Sweden. The business has also announced a new mega site development in the Sollefteå Municipality in Sweden.

For more information, visit atNorth.com or follow atNorth on LinkedIn.

Press Contact:
Laura Cameron
Mead Cameron for atNorth
+44 (0) 7740 948 378
laura@meadcameron.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

https://news.cision.com/atnorth/r/atnorth-joins-nordic-compass-to-support-nordic-competitiveness–resilience-and-industrial-innovation,c4347604

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SOURCE atNorth

TEMPE, Ariz., May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With a shower of maroon-and-gold confetti, and guidance from actor and conservationist Harrison Ford, Arizona State University celebrated the graduation of more than 14,000 undergraduate students on May 11, part of a record-setting 22,631 students earning their degrees this spring. The graduating class is the largest in ASU history.

“The potential of your entire generation — that is what gives me hope for the future,” said Ford, a legendary household name who has portrayed beloved on-screen characters.

“Whatever talent or ambition you possess, find a way to put it to work,” he said. “Build something that didn’t exist yesterday. Stand up for someone who can’t stand up for themselves. Bring people together who weren’t talking before. That’s leadership. That’s what moves the needle.” 

In addition to his acting work, Ford has been a champion of global conservation for more than three decades, joining Conservation International’s Board of Directors in 1991 and currently serving as its vice chair. In recognition of his work, ASU President Michael Crow awarded Ford an honorary Doctor of Arts and Humane Letters at the ceremony.

“Your generation has far more power than you may realize,” Ford said. “And if you harness it, if you find your leadership, your issues, your voice, the world will not be able to ignore you. You will have to be accommodated. Believe me, I know that’s true.”

His parting words to graduates: “Go change the world.”

Ford’s commitment to conservation also reflects ASU’s deepening commitment to research and student education in this area. In 2025, the university announced the creation of the Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures, which will welcome its first cohort this fall.

It is just one of the many areas where graduating students earned degrees and are poised to make a difference, with others focused on career opportunities in business, health care, engineering and more. One such graduate, Thomas Hancock-Bacon, will join the Peace Corps after graduation, combining his enthusiasm for sustainability and finance.

In his opening remarks, University President Michael Crow nodded to the 250th birthday of the United States of America, saying that ASU students have a responsibility that goes beyond their own communities.

“You are going to make this country work.,” he said. “You are going to make this country better because you are just getting started.”

The spring graduating class is 6% larger than last year’s spring class. This includes 14,258 on-campus undergraduate and graduate students, and there are 8,373 online students graduating, up 16% from last year. More than 10,000 graduates are Arizona residents and 2,000 military-affiliated students are graduating, including veterans, active duty, guard/reserves or dependent family members.

The graduation ceremony included remarks from businessman and philanthropist Howard Graham Buffett, who also received an honorary Doctor of Arts and Humane Letters.

“You can’t outsource who you want to be,” he said, addressing the graduates. “You decide who you want to be. Don’t let other people influence it.”

This spring’s graduates are primed for the workforce, and many are headed for jobs in high-demand fields such as teaching, nursing, microelectronics and defense. ASU is ranked No. 2 among public U.S. universities in employability, ahead of UCLA, the University of Michigan and Purdue.

“Universities have a responsibility to demonstrate their return on investment to the public at-large – not just students, but everyone,” said Crow. “Everything we do at ASU, including the degrees earned today, enables greater social mobility, prosperity, health, community and more. We must continue to work together to advance the democratic ideals of ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ for all.”

Photos and video of Harrison Ford.

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SOURCE Arizona State University – Media Relations

Annual program supports adults and students pursuing higher education

PHOENIX, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Desert Financial Foundation announced it has awarded $212,000 in scholarships to 66 Arizona students this year, supporting high school seniors demonstrating a commitment to service and community involvement and adult learners who are furthering their education.

A celebration honoring recipients of the Community Service, Adult Learners, and Passion to Help scholarships took place on May 6 at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix. Since 2017, Desert Financial Foundation has awarded nearly $2 million in scholarships to students across Arizona.

“Education has the power to change lives, families and entire communities,” said Jeff Meshey, board chair of Desert Financial Foundation and President and CEO of Desert Financial Credit Union. “Through our scholarship program, we’re proud to support adults who are investing in their future and high schoolers giving back to the communities that helped shape them.”

Of the 66 scholarships awarded, 30 Community Service Scholarships and 30 Adult Learners Scholarships will each provide $3,000 to recipients, with select outstanding students in both categories receiving an additional $2,000. The program will also award six $3,000 Passion to Help Scholarships, with one recipient receiving an enhanced award of $5,000, a new addition this year.

Community Service Scholarships

Community Service Scholarships recognize high school students who complete at least 50 hours of community service, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and plan to attend an Arizona college or university in fall 2026. Elizabeth Hart, a student at Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center, volunteered more than 600 hours in the community in 2025 and is working to become a doctor.

“My love of this service has solidified my goal of helping others,” Hart said. “I will continue to pursue a career path as a doctor, where I know I can make an extensive impact.”

Three standout students were awarded $5,000 scholarships:

• Elizabeth Hart from Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center
• Jay Jimenez Solis from Highland High School
• Cameron Forrest from Paradise Valley High School

Adult Learners Scholarships

Adult Learners Scholarships support students 25 or older who are currently enrolled at an accredited Arizona school to pursue a degree or certification while balancing work, family and other responsibilities. One recipient, Alireza Rahimi, is currently undertaking doctoral research at Arizona State University.

“My educational plan is to complete my PhD in Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering and continue pursuing research that develops sustainable solutions for environmental pollution,” said Rahimi.

Three adult learners were selected to receive $5,000 scholarships:

• Alireza Rahimi of Tempe
• Denyse Tumugire of Phoenix
• Julia Jena of Phoenix

Passion to Help Scholarships

The Passion to Help Scholarship is offered to eligible dependents of Desert Financial Credit Union and affiliated company employees who demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteerism.

Navya Balaji was selected to receive a $5,000 scholarship and is attending University of Arizona.

Commitment to Education

The scholarship program is a cornerstone of Desert Financial Foundation’s broader commitment to education, which is rooted in the Desert Financial Credit Union’s founding by teachers in 1939 and carried forward through continued investment in students at every stage of their academic journey.

“These students represent the future of our state,” Meshey said. “By investing in their education today, we’re helping build stronger communities for generations to come.”

For more information about Desert Financial Foundation and its scholarship programs, visit desertfinancial.com/en/who-we-are/community-involvement/commitment-to-education.

About Desert Financial Foundation 
Founded in 2015, Desert Financial Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports organizations and individuals in Arizona to strengthen financial capability through education and scholarships. 

To learn more about how Desert Financial Foundation gives back or donate, visit DesertFinancial.com/Foundation.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/desert-financial-foundation-awards-more-than-200k-in-scholarships-to-arizona-students-302768769.html

SOURCE Desert Financial Credit Union

Annual program supports adults and students pursuing higher education

PHOENIX, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Desert Financial Foundation announced it has awarded $212,000 in scholarships to 66 Arizona students this year, supporting high school seniors demonstrating a commitment to service and community involvement and adult learners who are furthering their education.

A celebration honoring recipients of the Community Service, Adult Learners, and Passion to Help scholarships took place on May 6 at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix. Since 2017, Desert Financial Foundation has awarded nearly $2 million in scholarships to students across Arizona.

“Education has the power to change lives, families and entire communities,” said Jeff Meshey, board chair of Desert Financial Foundation and President and CEO of Desert Financial Credit Union. “Through our scholarship program, we’re proud to support adults who are investing in their future and high schoolers giving back to the communities that helped shape them.”

Of the 66 scholarships awarded, 30 Community Service Scholarships and 30 Adult Learners Scholarships will each provide $3,000 to recipients, with select outstanding students in both categories receiving an additional $2,000. The program will also award six $3,000 Passion to Help Scholarships, with one recipient receiving an enhanced award of $5,000, a new addition this year.

Community Service Scholarships

Community Service Scholarships recognize high school students who complete at least 50 hours of community service, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and plan to attend an Arizona college or university in fall 2026. Elizabeth Hart, a student at Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center, volunteered more than 600 hours in the community in 2025 and is working to become a doctor.

“My love of this service has solidified my goal of helping others,” Hart said. “I will continue to pursue a career path as a doctor, where I know I can make an extensive impact.”

Three standout students were awarded $5,000 scholarships:

• Elizabeth Hart from Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center
• Jay Jimenez Solis from Highland High School
• Cameron Forrest from Paradise Valley High School

Adult Learners Scholarships

Adult Learners Scholarships support students 25 or older who are currently enrolled at an accredited Arizona school to pursue a degree or certification while balancing work, family and other responsibilities. One recipient, Alireza Rahimi, is currently undertaking doctoral research at Arizona State University.

“My educational plan is to complete my PhD in Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering and continue pursuing research that develops sustainable solutions for environmental pollution,” said Rahimi.

Three adult learners were selected to receive $5,000 scholarships:

• Alireza Rahimi of Tempe
• Denyse Tumugire of Phoenix
• Julia Jena of Phoenix

Passion to Help Scholarships

The Passion to Help Scholarship is offered to eligible dependents of Desert Financial Credit Union and affiliated company employees who demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteerism.

Navya Balaji was selected to receive a $5,000 scholarship and is attending University of Arizona.

Commitment to Education

The scholarship program is a cornerstone of Desert Financial Foundation’s broader commitment to education, which is rooted in the Desert Financial Credit Union’s founding by teachers in 1939 and carried forward through continued investment in students at every stage of their academic journey.

“These students represent the future of our state,” Meshey said. “By investing in their education today, we’re helping build stronger communities for generations to come.”

For more information about Desert Financial Foundation and its scholarship programs, visit desertfinancial.com/en/who-we-are/community-involvement/commitment-to-education.

About Desert Financial Foundation 
Founded in 2015, Desert Financial Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports organizations and individuals in Arizona to strengthen financial capability through education and scholarships. 

To learn more about how Desert Financial Foundation gives back or donate, visit DesertFinancial.com/Foundation.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/desert-financial-foundation-awards-more-than-200k-in-scholarships-to-arizona-students-302768769.html

SOURCE Desert Financial Credit Union