East Valley Tribune Editorial: Obama deserves ASU honorary degree

[Thrill]

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 no president of the United States has been deemed worthy of ASU’s recognition, not even the nation’s first black president. It’s an odd gap that besmirches the image of an excellent institution.

An ASU academic committee has decided President Barack Obama won’t receive an honorary degree when he addresses this spring’s graduates at a May 13 ceremony, the Associated Press reported Wednesday. Honorary degrees are traditionally offered to commencement speakers as a way to call further attention to their contributions and to thank them for their appearance.

University spokeswoman Sharon Keeler said the committee decided Obama hasn’t served long enough in the White House to properly judge his legacy.

“His body of work is yet to come,” Keeler told the AP. “That’s why we’re not recognizing him with a degree at the beginning of his presidency.”

The University of Notre Dame has no such qualms and will offer Obama a honorary doctorate when he speaks to that college’s graduates on May 17. Perhaps Notre Dame has a better understanding of what Obama already has accomplished simply by reaching our nation’s pinnacle of political power and public service.

ASU has recognized a large number of politicians in the past 60 years. Some, such as former Govs. Rose Mofford and Ernest McFarland, clearly had moved into the twilight of their careers.

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.

Of course, all of those people have deep Arizona roots, and Obama has no real ties to the state. But what connection did ASU have to other honorees such as L. Douglas Wilder, the first black governor of Virginia, or Kim Campbell, the first woman to be Canadian prime minister?

Obama almost certainly won’t speak at another ASU graduation, and no one knows if another president ever will either. The university should reconsider this arbitrary decision and honor Obama in May.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/137716

[rvablue]

1. Wow. Thanks for posting. Interesting to discover they bestowed one on Wilder and now

the fools on the academic committe are trying to make the argument that Obama "hasn't finished his body of work yet."

It would be interesting to know who was on the committe when Wilder got his and who sits on the committee now.

I'm glad to see the paper drawing attention to this. They look like fools....or worse.

But, IMO, who cares if they bestow the honorary degree or not. It's a third or fourth tier school and doesn't mean that much really after all that President Obama has overcome and accomplished in his life.

And besides, it's about the graduates and I'm sure they will be absolutely thrilled he is there!


ed: clar.

[rufus dog]

3. A student called me two weeks ago

Asking for a donation, nice kid, I brought up that I couldn't remember who spoke at my graduation, he was excited that he got the President. This morning I called back to cancel and they staff must be under orders, she commented that she would process the cancellation and I asked if she had others, she said no, and she was not sure why I was canceling but didn't need to know. FUCK THEM!

[rvablue]

5. Oh well. The kid is excited and enjoying his last semester of college...

... I wouldn't take it that hard.

Frankly, who cares about the degree? Obama already has one from one of THE TOP universities IN THE WORLD.

It's a brilliant move. Speak to, meet and greet this very large class of grads, many of whom will stay in AZ. Who knows how that electoral map could change in another 3 1/2 years?

[Phx_Dem]

2. ASU has completely embarrassed itself. They look like small-minded idiots.

And every bit of media coverage I've seen today is completely against ASU. The media and guests are making fun of ASU, saying things like "who does A.. S.. U.. think they are? (laughing) President Obama is a Harvard-educated, Ivy league lawyer, president of the Harvard Law Review and now President of the United States, and ASU doesn't think he's accomplished enough? It's absolutely appalling!!" That was from Contessa Brewer and her academdic guest (can't remember his name).

[firedupdem]

4. Why did they even invite him to speak if he is so unworthy of their

honor? They are small minded, full of shit, idiots.

[regnaD kciN]

6. I agree with the ASU administration...!

Obama doesn't deserve an Arizona State degree yet -- he hasn't come anywhere near the required amount of drunken carousing and downright stupid behavior to meet the standards of the Pac-10's "Party U."

George W. Bush, on the other hand... :evilgrin: