President Obama's Commencement Speech at Arizona State University (Video)

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ASU apologizes and names a scholarship program after President Obama

Man, what bad publicity does to make you flip your decision in 48 hours.

After a day of withering criticism over its decision not to award President Barack Obama an honorary degree, Arizona State University announced on Saturday that it would expand a scholarship program in the president's name.

In a press release sent out by ASU spokeswoman Sharon Keeler, the university "apologized" for the "confusion" over the past few days. Its president Michael Crow, meanwhile, framed the "President Barack Obama Scholars" program as a higher honor than the honorary degree, one that would "affect the lives of thousands of students" and be "an honor befitting, not only the president's exceptional achievements, but also his values as an individual."

Crow also suggested that the school had never ruled out the degree for Obama - something that earlier statements suggested - but merely had yet to make a determination as to what honor would suit the president best.

"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."

ASU undoubtedly faced an intense amount of media and political scrutiny for its decision to not offer Obama an honorary degree. In particular, the message from many alumni of the university, as gathered by dozens of emails to the Huffington Post, was one of disappointment and anger.

The expansion of the scholarship program is an effort to temper these emotions. But for the cynics, the fact that the announcement came only after a day of vocal complaints - and didn't include giving the degree from the president - is not likely to go unnoticed.

Press Release from ASU

"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.

"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

See what backlash and mockery does to organizations....

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Arizona State University (ASU) backpedaling, now they MAY give President Obama the Honorary Degree

I mean, WTF is totally warranted here at ASU. How the hell can you invite a sitting president and the first African-American President of this country to give the commencement speech but say, "Sorry, ain't givin' you the honorary degree, you have not done enough." This school needs to be laughed at, as it is currently being laughed at all over the media.

I don't know who decided this, but this was one of the worst media moves, ever. Sorry, but you can't help but say, what constitutes body of work? Obama's accomplishments are stellar and got him where he is now. For Arizona State to say, basically, "you can come here and talk but not good enough for the degree" too much.

Now, damage control, because they need it.

Michael M. Crow, president of Arizona State University, tells POLITICO that the school is reconsidering its widely mocked plans not to give President Barack Obama an honorary degree when he speaks at commencement on May 13 and will “honor him in every way possible.”

“There was no intended slight,” Crow said by telephone from his office in Tempe. “We had not yet talked about what honors we might give him as our commencement speaker, and we still have a month to work all that out. We don’t want anyone to think we do not recognize what he has achieved and what he means in America.”

A formal decision has not been made, but it was clear from Crow's comments that the university is headed in that direction. ASU risked becoming a national punch line if it did not quickly retreat from its policy against conferring honorary degrees on a sitting politician.

Hell, yeah, Obama should get the honorary degree, this is a joke, a pure joke. This school was on its way to a lifetime of mockery, and I am being nice here. And the media is blasting this school and not in a good way.

GET IT TOGETHER, ASU.......I MEAN QUICK, FAST AND IN A HURRY...

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ASU withholds Honorary Degree to President Barack Obama

TOO INEXPERIENCED?

Barack Obama. Former President of the Harvard Review (first African-American to achieve that), former Law Professor, former State Senator of Illinois, former U.S. Senator to the State of Illinois, a writer of two NY Times best sellers, a winner of two grammy awards and President of the United States.

And he is too inexperienced for a honorary degree? What the Phuck!!!!

And how many degrees did former President George W. Bush get? And we know he was and still is not the brightest light bulb in the building.

ASU, come on. You are wrong here, out of bounds.

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.

AMEN.

ASU you are wrong. Totally wrong.

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.

This is the President of the United States of America. While Pat Buchanan is faking rage on Obama receiving his honorary degree from Notre Dame in South Bend, ASU should be above this. If George W. Bush, who will go down as one of the worst presidents in history, can stand on podiums and receive honorary degrees from learning institutions all over this country, ASU should honor President Barack Obama the same.

HE DESERVES IT. ASU, YOU ARE FOUL.

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