by Mark Silva
President Barack Obama's "body of work'' may not be mature yet -- Arizona State's stated reason for not wanting to bestow an honorary degree on the president, delivering the commencement address in Tempe on May 13 -- but someone else, many actually, will study in his name.
The school today announced that it will name its most prominent scholarship program for Obama -- enabling thousands of students in the greatest need of aid to attend school.
In a statement issued today, Arizona State University President Michael Crow apologized for any "confusion" surrounding a decision not to award the president a degree at a university that has bestowed such honors on Blake Edwards, Art Buchwald and Cesar Chavez.
Crow said the campus always had intended to honor Obama, but then the decision on the degree was reported by the student-run State Press newspaper early this week.
"I apologize for the confusion surrounding our invitation to President Obama to address ASU students at commencement," Crow said. "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."
ASU wil instead name its scholarship program for the neediest the President Barack Obama Scholars.
Comments
So President Obama has done enough to warrant naming a PROGRAM after him, but not to get an honorary degree? What are those people at ASU smoking, and can I get some?
This is a really interesting route to take, but it doesn't really undo what they did in denying him the honorary degree because he hasn't "accomplished" enough.
To be fair, the scholarship idea is a great one, especially considering Obama was often the ONLY candidate who even bothered to mention education regularly, I'm sure he is very honored by the scholarship program being named after him.
Posted by: Freeper | April 11, 2009 7:45 PM
Of course, death threats against ASU faculty can be persuasive, too.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dawn-teo/asu-faculty-receive-threa_b_185801.html
Team Obama thuggery at work as usual, but you won't read about it from any writers employed by the Chicago Tribune. Silva can sleep happily sucking his thumb tonight because his hero now has a scholarship named after him. Despicable.
Posted by: Bemused | April 11, 2009 8:10 PM
Honorary degree for what? Winning an election! Another example of disgraceful behavior by public officials bowing to politically correct pressure and threats from liberals. Heck...why don't we just rename the entire country to the United States of Dictator Obama? Chavez and Mugabee would be proud!!
Posted by: Joe | April 12, 2009 9:34 AM
Let this be a lesson to you. NEVER,NEVER dishonor the ONE.
Posted by: Jack | April 12, 2009 1:50 PM