Arizona State University refused to present President Obama with an honorary degree when he went there to be their May 13th commencement speaker.
"An ASU spokeswoman seemed to fan the flames further when she told the State Press that it would be inappropriate to recognize Obama because "his body of work is yet to come."
I suppose their standards are a lot higher than other colleges and universities I've seen who have bestowed their hallowed honorary degrees to rock stars, newscasters, etc. ASU has given honorary degrees to a couple of their governors and to Sandra Day O'Connor (3 years into her 25 years on the Supreme Court), a Canadian prime minister, etc.
Obama graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard Law School, where he also served as President of the Harvard Law Review. Harvard Law School is supposed to be the best Law School in America. I imagine he won't be terribly hurt that ASU refused to give him their honorary degree.
I guess I've always viewed those honorary degrees as a token of appreciation. I'm glad President Obama took the high road and gave his speech with grace. I believe all this controversy merely made ASU look petty (in my eyes, direspectful as well)and enhanced our admiration for President Obama whose speech showed humility and dignity.
