Personal triumph, new leaders, a storm and a solar eclipse – the top LQP stories of 2024
Cameron Green of Campus Web Services sits next to his son, Escher, before graduating from Arizona Online in May. Green was chosen to represent Arizona Online's 10,000th graduate.
Lo Que Pasa kept faculty and staff updated on the most important and interesting news on and around campus throughout 2024, from the appointment of a new president to a single father's journey to a degree through Arizona Online.
We also covered storm damage, the solar eclipse and an overhaul for the Campus Store.
As we head into 2025, take a look at the stories that drew the most interest, based on page views, from you and other readers over the past year.
Single dad slays 'personal demons' by earning a degree through Arizona Online – May 30, 2024
The flexibility of Arizona Online allowed Cameron Green to pursue his degree on his own schedule. The interim assistant director for Campus Web Services talked about how he navigated hardships to achieve a goal more than two decades in the making.
A new president, renovations, parking changes and more – a rundown of what's happened on campus over the summer – July 23, 2024
Suresh Garimella began his tenure as the 23rd president of the University of Arizona in early October.
The summer of 2024 was a busy one on campus, including the arrival of Suresh Garimella as the 23rd president of the University of Arizona as well as a few other leadership changes.
Gallery: July storms take down more than 80 campus trees – July 24, 2024
Tucson was hit hard by a July 14 storm, and the university campus was no exception. Facilities Management said the monsoon took down more than 80 trees – some of them more than 80 years old. See photos of the damage around campus in this gallery.
A eucalyptus tree lies across the ground on the west side of Centennial Hall after a monsoon struck the Tucson area on Sunday, July 14.
Chris Kopach/Facilities Management
Early voting is underway on the Tucson campus – Oct. 23, 2024
Members of the campus community were able to cast their ballots weeks ahead of Election Day during early voting at the Student Union Memorial Center. The university has been recognized as home to one of the nation's most democratically engaged student bodies, according to the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.
Deeper empathy is only one benefit of being multilingual – Feb. 20, 2024
International Mother Language Day is observed every year on Feb. 21 to encourage people learn and use multiple languages and adopt multilingual education. Linguistics professor Janet Nicol discussed the cognitive, professional and social benefits of speaking more than one language.
The Campus Store's new main floor layout is designed to open up sight lines, highlight high-end brands and reserve space for seasonal promotions and special events.
Chris Richards/University Communications
The Campus Store's new name and new look: A Q&A with Executive Director Peter Neff – Aug. 27, 2024
Previously known as Arizona BookStores, the commercial hub got a new name, a new layout and a new focus over the summer. Executive Director Peter Neff detailed the plan to keep the outlet relevant to students and the wider campus community.
Faculty members honored with Awards of Distinction – May 13, 2024
The annual awards honor faculty members for excellence in teaching, mentoring, leadership and innovation. Among the honorees was Sherri Silverberg, a lecturer in the Eller College of Management, who won the Five Star Faculty Award.
'Like the twilight zone' – The life-changing experience of a total solar eclipse – March 4, 2024
Many of us put on our protective glasses and took a look at the Great American Eclipse on April 8 from the Tucson campus. Others, like Vishnu Reddy, professor in the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and Department of Planetary Sciences, traveled out of state to get a better view.
Our very own 'hidden gems' will be highlighted during the university's first Museum Day – March 15, 2024
Museums throughout campus offered free or reduced admission in celebration of the university's first Museum Day on March 23. Pamela Pelletier, community planner for outreach and environmental education for the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, said the program was designed to "open people's eyes to the wonders that are available right here on our campus."
'Heart of the department': Mary Portillo wins top staff honor in the 2024 Awards for Excellence – April 25, 2024
Mary Portillo, senior business manager in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, won the Billie Joe Varney Award For Excellence for contributions to her workplace and service to the campus community. Portillo was among 10 employees and three teams that were honored for their dedication to students, colleagues and the university with 2024 Awards for Excellence.
Other LQP staff favorites are below.