ASU Stiffs Obama, Claims Too Inexperienced For Honorary Degree

TEMPE, ARIZONA - Universities typically confer an honorary degree on commencement speakers, particularly those who have reached the pinnacle of their career or achieved the top of their field. Arizona State University (ASU), though, says it will not confer an honorary degree on this year's commencement speaker, President Barack Obama, because "his body of work is yet to come."

ASU Media Relations Director Sharon Keeler says, unlike other universities, the processes for selecting commencement speakers and honorary degree recipients are independent. She says that honorary degrees are given "for an achievement of eminence" and that Obama was not considered for an honorary degree because his body of achievements, at this time, does not fit within that criteria.

Writing two best-sellers? Not outstanding. Developing one of the largest grassroots organizations in the world? Nothing special. Becoming the first African American President of the United States? Good, but nothing to write home about.

A local paper published an editorial within hours of the news, exhorting ASU to give the honorary degree to Obama:

Arizona State University has handed out honorary doctorate degrees to pioneering scientists and college presidents, titans of oil and computer microchips, newspaper publishers and generous donors, a foreign communist educator and a successful movie director.

But others had much still to accomplish. Barry Goldwater received his honorary degree in May 1961, three years before his Republican nomination for president and only eight years into his three decades as a U.S. senator. Sandra Day O'Connor was similarly recognized just three years in her 25 years on the U.S. Supreme Court.

The editorial called it an "odd gap" that the nation's first black president would not be deemed worthy of an honorary degree.

According to the ASU State Press, ASU President Michael Crow told the committee that "significant contributions to education and society over the course of a person's career merit consideration for an honorary degree."

If being a U.S. Senator and President of the United States -- the so-called leader of the free world -- is not enough to be deemed as having made significant contributions to society, Obama also has a long list of contributions to education. The first bill Obama sponsored in Congress was the HOPE Act. He developed comprehensive plans for students to receive education benefits in exchange for public service. Not to mention that he was the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review, taught Constitutional law at an ivy league university, and, among many other accomplishments, served as a community organizer where established an adult education program and a college preparatory program in inner-city Chicago. It is hard to see how these achievements fail to merit honor.

The ASU Honorary Degree Committee is made up of six members from across the campuses and is chaired by Dr. Laurie Chassin, a psychology professor. Keeler said Obama was not considered by the committee for an honorary degree and may not have even been nominated. According to university procedures, nominations may be submitted by members of the university family (including its 60,000+ students or even alumni) at any time during the academic year.

UPDATE: The ASU Honorary Degree Committee is co-chaired by Christine Wilkinson and Laurie Chassin. However, Laurie Chassin is currently on a year-long sabbatical and is not involved in evaluating this year's nominees.

Are you an ASU student or alumnus? HuffPost wants to hear from you. What are people saying on campus? As an alumnus, will this effect your decision to donate to your alma mater? Write us at [e-mail].

 

Follow Dawn Teo on Twitter: www.twitter.com/dawnteo

Comments

[simplelivingmama]

I feel for the people who have graduated from there. I feel like this mess has cheapened their degree.

[Mover]

"Writing two best-sellers?

Let's see. Were they best sellers before or after Barack started considering a run for the presidency?

"Developing one of the largest grassroots organizations in the world?"

You aren't intentionally ignoring the DNC, the Chicago political machine, the Legacy media, the NAACP, his teleprompter and ACORN's hand in getting Barack the support he needed, are you?

"Becoming the first African American President of the United States?

As Dr. King might say, you are judging someone on the color of their skin and not the content of their character. There are many African Americans that could have become President before Barack Obama, but they were members of the wrong political party and in the hearts of Huffington & Daily Kos Bloggers, the legacy media, the NAACP, and ACORN, they were unworthy. You know, the whole character thing.

[DanieBonner]

Uh, SO WHAT?!?!?

Does he NEED an "honorary degree" when he has an EARNED one based on his INTELLECT and talents from an IVY LEAGUE school -- what's it called again -- oh yeah, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY!

[Mover]

Sorry, but I just have to wonder what President Obama "earned" his law degree on. He's supposed to be a Harvard Doctor of Law (magna cum laude) and a constitutional scholar, but his words and deeds display no knowledge of these subjects.

[bsc]

so becoming president is not good enough? this is b. s.

[Mover]

But his teleprompter never revealed any knowledge of anything. He was elected on feelings and white guilt.

[AbyGail]

Who's wondering why ASU is slighting Obama? He beat McCain...it's as simple as that. The real question is, why does Obama want to be the commencement speaker at a university offering him a slap-in-the-face?

[Mover]

Your projecting is unbecoming.

Just because that is the way you would act, it doesn't follow that ASU did the same.

[psaltseller]

Perhaps if he was as mediocre as McCain(and, of course, white and still a Senator) they would be treating him the same way they have always treated commencement speakers.

[madbonger618]

nothing but a friggin' Party School. They're lucky to have him speak there.

[Aesthete]

This behavior on the part of ASU is highly suspect. Oh well, I was told at a young age that a black person has to perform twice as well in order to be considered half as good so I'm not really surprised. Sounds like an inferior institution to me. In fact, the more I think about it, the more pathetic and laughable ASU becomes. How absurd it is that they are according this kind of treatment to a president of the U.S. one of whose emphases is on future achievements in the arts and sciences offered by institutions of higher learning. Why did they even bother inviting him in the first place? To insult him? Perhaps it would be better if they just forgot the whole thing.

[Mover]

His emphasis is not on the future of others, including the arts and sciences. His emphasis is on his self promotion, much like most of the rest of the political class.

[Nancy Loredo Tyler]

I am embarrassed to live in AZ sometimes. Seriously, this was pathetic on many levels.

We moved here from the Bay Area and I am continually shocked about how conservative AZ is and they are very loyal to McCain. But I do have to say, that everyone is excited to have Obama here. Seriously, it's the most exciting thing ever...they are constantly talking about him on the news and people are just fascinated. Yes, we have a long way to go in AZ, but I think he will keep coming back here because people here really do admire him.

We have a long way to go in terms of being open minded in AZ. However, this is ASU. No offense to my hubby who is an ASU grad student, but it's not Harvard or Yale. I doubt Obama really cares and in the long run a scholarship program is better and could help people a lot more than just a title, "ASU honorary grad".

[psbintl]

It is not about the honorary degree or any scholarship in President OBama's name. It is about the fact this man, who has accomplished so much in his lifetime including his service as a Senator, was deemed "unworthy" by ASU to be honored, as they have honored every other commencement speaker up until this time, including a person from Communist China, a country that is renowned for violation of human rights!

This was a political and racist slap in the face to a sitting President who is not only appreciated, loved and adored by the majority of the people in this country but also by people worldwide!

ASU is now the laughingstock of this country and the entire world!

[americanalien]

I wouldn't apply to Arizona State University even if they were giving out money to go there. They are a third-rate, marginal institution that is not worth the desert sand it is built on. You will never get a decent job with a degree from that place. You might as well invest the tuition money on the stock market.

[enyapjeff]

Arizona, one of the last states to oppose the MLK holiday. This is consistent with their behind the times thinking. The President should not speak. They don't deserve the honor of his presence.

[happymom]

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY News Release

April 11, 2009

Here's the last part of the email/press release from ASU:

“It has always been our intention to recognize and honor President Obama's accomplishments during his visit,” said Crow, “but we had not yet determined the best or most appropriate way to do so. Although the focus and attention of the media and others has been on an honorary degree, we never felt that was the only—or even the best—means of honoring his tremendous service to our country. Naming this scholarship program after President Obama that will affect the lives of thousands of students is an honor befitting, not only the president’s exceptional achievements, but also his values as an individual. The President Barack Obama Scholars program will be a legacy that will endure and inspire others for generations to come.”

Arizona State University

Tempe, Arizona USA

www.asu.edu

[happymom]

April 11, 2009

TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State University invited President Barack Obama to speak at its graduation ceremony out of the greatest respect for him as an individual and world leader.

“I apologize for the confusion surrounding our invitation to President Obama to address ASU students at commencement,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. “The entire ASU community has been electrified with excitement since we learned of his participation in our commencement ceremony. We hope that the recent discussion of honorary degrees will not detract from the honor and thrill that ASU – and indeed all of Arizona – is experiencing in anticipation of his visit. I am honored, as are our faculty, staff and students, that President Obama will give his first commencement speech as president of the United States at ASU.”

In recognition of President Obama’s commitment to educational access and to an entire career dedicated to public service, ASU is naming and expanding its most important scholarship program in his honor. Going forward, this program will be called the President Barack Obama Scholars and will offer thousands of students with the greatest financial need the opportunity to go to college.

[happymom]

I'm posting the email I just received in my inbox in two seperate postings, since it exceeds the letter count. But here is my response and thoughts: It looks like the University spin has begun. If what the president of ASU is saying is true and they wanted to "honor Barack even more", than why did some wack-job personnel say that "Obamas work has yet to be done"? Oh PLLLLLEEEEAAASSEE!! Just admit it- you slammed, stiffed, and completely disrepected the POTUS. You just DID IT and now you have to play catch-up because its backfired on you. What a mess.

[MarsAmbassador]

Maybe when President Obama is there, he can inquire about their masters degree in lawn-mowing. Seriously. What a two-bit, second rate college ASU is.

[iplaw]

Slap in the face to Obama. No other way to interpret this, lol.