Ariz. university apologizes, sets honor for Obama
TEMPE, Ariz. - Stung by criticism of its decision not to award President Obama an honorary degree when he makes a commencement address next month, Arizona State University announced yesterday that it would rename a scholarship program for the president.
TEMPE, Ariz. - Stung by criticism of its decision not to award President Obama an honorary degree when he makes a commencement address next month, Arizona State University announced yesterday that it would rename a scholarship program for the president.
University president Michael Crow also issued an apology for the "confusion" surrounding the honorary-degree decision.
"It has always been our intention to recognize and honor President Obama's accomplishments during his visit," Crow said in a statement, "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."
The school has been mocked in various online forums since the student-run State Press newspaper first reported that ASU decided against awarding an honorary degree to the president at May 13 graduation ceremonies. A series of statements by university officials followed as the story refused to die.
University spokeswoman Sharon Keeler said Wednesday that ASU's practice was to give honorary degrees to people who had a body of work and had been in their positions for a long time.
"His body of work is yet to come," she said. "That's why we're not recognizing him with a degree at the beginning of his presidency."
Crow then told the Arizona Republic on Thursday that the university had a policy of not awarding honorary degrees to sitting politicians.
Politico reported Friday that Crow was reconsidering, although the Republic reported that he said in an e-mail that it would be incorrect to say that.
Yesterday, Crow announced that ASU would name its "most important" scholarship the President Barack Obama Scholars program.
Crow's statement also said that ASU was expanding the program to offer thousands of students needing financial help a chance to attend the university. Details of the program were not announced.