Obama Degree From ASU Still Denied, ASU Decides, But Criticism Leads to Namesake Scholarship
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No degree for Obama, Arizona State University's President Michael Crow decided after a couple of days' second-guessing in the face of intense criticism.
Instead, an hours-long meeting between university officials on Friday apparently has led to an unexpected "honor:" A scholarship will be named after the country's first Black president. Whoo-hoo.
We're not yet ready to concede failure on the prediction made in our previous post, except for the date -- there's too much time left in the game. It's possible that this consolation honor may generate even more criticism than the original decision to not give Obama a degree when he gives a commencement speech on May 13. The way we see it, he still might get that degree.
Here's the ASU news release with Michael Crow's statements:
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| Michael Crow |
ASU to name and expand most important scholarship program to honor President Obama
University apologizes for honorary degree confusion
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State University invited President Barack Obama to speak at its graduation ceremony out of the greatest respect for him as an individual and world leader.
"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."
34 comment(s) / Post a Comment
I think this illustrates very well the current state of Arizona society. If not for a few, but very loud voices...At the very least people, honor the historical nature of this presidency. Give him both.
People have gotten honorary scholarships that have accomplished much much less.
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 11 2009 @ 3:05PMI disagree. I think the decision to not convey an honorary degree is correct. Mr. Obama is a new President who is facing significant challenges and may do a wonderful job, but we don't know that yet. If he comes back to ASU in a couple years and has done a wonderful job, then convey some honorary degree upon him, as a reward for an elected official actually doing a good job.
At this point, in my opinion, Mr. Obama is an unproven president, and has very little experience as a Senator. No offense intended. He's the new guy. Let's see what he looks like with some miles behind him.
I don't agree with the scholarship appeasement. I think ASU should stick to it's policy.
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 11 2009 @ 3:24PMPresident Crow would have maintained some credibility had he chosen to announce the "Scholarship" BEFORE he chose to not grant an honorary degree... poor form Micheal.
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 11 2009 @ 3:34PMIf he's unworthy to receive an honorary degree, why is he worthy to be commencement speaker? Why not invite somebody you DO consider accomplished, and let HIM speak. I think a Harvard law professor, published author, member of the Illinois legislature, U.S. Senator and first African-American President has accomplished plenty. But even if I didn't, I wouldn't understand this. If you want to snub a man, snub him all the way. If he's not worthy of your cooking, don't invite him to dinner. But expecting somebody to deliver your commencement speech still smarting from a calculated insult is a bit much. And there's something racially condescending about sticking to your guns but naming a scholarship program after him -- as if money handed out to poor scholars were somehow a more appropriate way to honor a black man than recognizing what he's done on his own.
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 11 2009 @ 3:36PMI fortunately attended ASU before Crow flew in. I unfortunately wrote for the State Press when Jay Heiler and proto-neo-con crew were the editors.
I'll be happy to give the gift of MY degree/diploma to President Obama. Might be a nice groundswell. Alums who think that ASU, Inc. headed by CEO Crow (no Ph.D., right?) see that he is once again acting like an idiot (remember the ruling that no political signs could be displayed in windows when a competing candidate for some race came to campus?).
New Times could set up a PO box where all alums could send a copy of their diploma to be presented to the President in a typically great New Times manner.
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 11 2009 @ 4:34PMASU just keeps getting uglier and "more uglier" in the way it has been unable to properly handle its Presidential commencement invite. Previous comments have rightly pointed out the ackwardness with the latest solution, but there are a few things that bother about Crow'a annoucement and apology:
Where is Crow's apology to President Obama for the condescending remarks dismissing his accomplishments by an ASU staff member?
ASU has in its name of the new scholarship program managed to insult not only the President again, but now his mother and his father!
His name is "Barack Hussein Obama" or at the very least "Barack H. Obama." That's who he is. That is his name. His formal and official name is not "Barack Obama" as he demonstrated in his oath of office for President.
His mother gave him that name, a name she was proud of and wanted him to have. Now ASU won't acknowledge all of it.
He has very little other than dreams of his father but he does have part of his father's name. Now ASU has taken it away from him in order to honor him??
Crow has handled this situation like Bush handled Katrina and it should be his Waterloo before he insults the President's late Grandmother!
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 11 2009 @ 6:40PMIt seems ASU is taken a hard line on this.
Really, ASU's reasoning appears backwards.
ASU seems unqualified to give Obama an honorary degree.
It's amazing how awkward, bush league, and parochial the ASU administration has been.
Just who do they represent?
Obama's schedule should 'get busy' and have to pass on ASU and find another'opportunity.'
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 11 2009 @ 7:31PMSomething about this Crow's honorary scholarship nonsense reminds me of long time ASU football coach Frank Kush standing in his coaching tower at practice urinating on his players.
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 11 2009 @ 7:42PMASU should give President Obama an honorary degree and the scholarship! Heck, they could name a fellowship program after him as well!
The fellowship could be designed for upperclassmen who are working in high risk communities or under-served career areas like Math and Science etc...
President Obama deserves respect and admiration for his hardwork and numerous, history-making accomplishments!
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 11 2009 @ 7:43PMSome previous recipients of honorary degrees from ASU:
--Blake Edwards, “whose more than 50 films include such memorable titles as ‘Days of Wine and Roses,’ ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s,’ ‘The Pink Panther,’ ‘Victor Victoria’ and ’10.’”
--Wu Qidi, “the Chinese Vice Minister Of Education Who Previously Arranged Lucrative Partnership With China’s State-Owned Enterprises.”
--William Polk Carey, a real-estate investment banker and $50 million donor.
-- Rex G. Maughan, a beauty-products billionaire whose company touted aloe vera and bee pollen as miracle age-reducers.
--Jane Dee Hull, Arizona's first elected woman governor.
-- Alice Wiley Snell, ASU fundraiser.
--John R. Christian, ASU fundraiser.
--Lord John Browne of Madingley, a BP executive.
--The Right Honorable Kim Campbell, Canada’s first woman prime minister.
--Peterson Zah, president of the Navajo Nation.
--Rafael Rangel Sostmann, president of Tec of Monterrey, a Mexican university that had signed a business partnership with ASU.
--Jerry Colangelo, a sports executive involved in plans that would have benefited ASU.
--L. Roy Papp, a mutual fund manager and his wife, Marilyn A. Papp, huge ASU donors who helped establish a Chinese art program.
-- Barbara McConnell Barrett, a former Reagan administration official involved in airline deregulation.
-- Craig E. Weatherup, a huge donor who was the benefactor for the Weatherup Center.
Obama already has 7 honorary degrees from other institutions, the first one from 2005:
Knox College in 2005, Northwestern University In 2006, UMass Boston in 2006, Xavier in 2006, Howard University in 2007, Southern New Hampshire University in 2007 and Wesleyan University in 2008.
ASU has a very odd notion of who deserves an honorary degree, and a number of other institutions seem to disagree with it.
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 11 2009 @ 8:02PMIn another official press release, ASU states that "Obama will be honored in every possible way". I guess they don't really mean this, or perhaps their philosophy is one of "separate but equal". Perhaps this should be the ASU motto.
It is too bad that in their eyes, Obama is not as qualified as the Education Minister of the People's Republic of China.
And all this "Obama should be honored by our inviting him to campus" schtick reminds me of the slave holders talking about how honored the slaves should feel for receiving so much free food, clothing, shelter.
Boy this makes Arizona look ready for the 21st century!
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 11 2009 @ 8:17PMFrankly, I was shocked to hear President Obama was going to speak at ASU's Commencement, a state that is so backwater and still living in the Dark Ages. Arizona does not deserve to have him speak. Let McCain speak.
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 11 2009 @ 9:35PMIt wouldn't surprise me, if while Obama is in town, Pearce and his neo-nazi buddies vote to repeal MLK Day in AZ. Too many backwards thinkers in this state.
Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 12 2009 @ 12:04AM@ Mark Twaine -
You raise the issue of Barack's middle name.
You seem to have a very short memory. Nobody but the man himself is allowed to use his middle name.
During the campaign, some members of the media who wanted to use his full name were scolded by team O.
These people explained that just Like Ronald Wilson Reagan, George Herbert Walker Bush, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and Richard Millhouse Nixon, Barack Hussein Obama has a middle name.
However, team O made it well known that his middle name was not to be used.
Now it seems that he once again has a middle name - but if I were a person who valued my employment, my status as an American citizen, or my life, I would not use his middle name if I were dealing in any kind of situation that might involve the president.
I'm just sayin'
Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 12 2009 @ 12:24AMI bet Crow was a huge Evan Mechan supporter in the 1980s
Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 12 2009 @ 9:21AMThis is yet another embarrassment for Arizona. ASU is being about as petty and small minded as possible. For the 5th largest city in the country this is just one more mark that makes it look like rednecks and rookies. This act by ASU is the same backward thinking that promotes our camera whore racist redneck clown sheriff.
Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 12 2009 @ 9:38AMPresident Crow must resign.
Some offer of a last minute 'mickey mouse' scholarship is not going to assuage the firestorm created by the bigotry and the insult to the first black president of the United States by Mr. Crow and cronies.
The only way out of this is for Mr. Crow to resign. Immediately! The vast majority of Americans - black and white - are outraged by his bigotry.
Joe-the-plumber would have been a better choice for speaker for the likes of Mr. Crow. Joe the plumber is somone to whom Mr. Crow would likely have felt comfortable awarding an honorary degree. Or maybe the brilliant Sarah Palin - I'll bet ASU under Mr. Crow's leadership would give her a degree! She is his kind of speaker. Or maybe Sarah Palin's daughter's boyfriend - he might be perfect for Mr. Crow's ASU. Or Anne Coulter - she is delighted with Mr. Crow's actions - she is 'crowing'. She is the girl for Mr. Crow's ASU! How about Glenn Beck as the speaker instead of our president? Glenn Beck seems like someone Mr. Crow's ASU could feel comfortable giving an honorary degree to. Maybe Mr. Crow could cancel Obama and invite Rupert Murdoch?
Students at ASU must stike. Students at ASU must protest. March. ASU students must disassoicate themselves from Mr. Crow's bigotry. They must protest his racism. They themselves must call for Mr. Crow's resignation OR DISMISSAL.
If Mr. Crow does not resign immediately or if he is not fired a reasonable response is a 10 year boycott of ASU as a racist school.
And if Mr. Crow does not resign (or get fired) there must be a march against ASU by the NAACP and other organizations - people BLACK AND WHITE WHO ARE DISGUSTED BY Mr. Crow's actions - people who oppose bigotry - a million man march with signs - a million person march against bigotry.
All must carry big big signs
Signs that say
BOYCOTT ARIZONA STATE
Signs that say
CROW MUST RESIGN
Signs that say
BOYCOTT THE BIGOT
Signs that say
NO FUNDING FOR BIGOT CROW ASU
Signs that say
ARIZONA STATE BIGOTRY U
Signs that say
BLACKS NOT WELCOME AT ARIZONA STATE
Signs that say
BLACK PRESIDENT NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ARIZONA STATE
Signs that say
ARIZONA STATE - NAZIS WELCOME HERE
ASU will reap the whirlwind caused by Mr. Crow and they deserve to - a school allowing such a bigoted administration - in 2009 is an abomination.
A state school at that - the funding for this school should be gone through with a fine tooth comb.
But more than anything Mr. Crow must resign (or be dismissed).
But he should also be investigated by the press - who are his ties to - McCain? Who are the donors to ASU? Who engineered this insult? Who else promoted it? Who endorsed it? This is a state school not a private school. It can be looked at. Everything related to it can be looked at.
Arizona media get to work. New Yorker get to work. New York Times get to work. MTV get to work. National Inguirer get to work. Investigative reporters get to work.
AND MR. CROW SHOULD RESIGN AND APOLOGIZE TO THE PRESIDENT AND TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. OR HE MUST BE DISMISSED.
HE MUST RESIGN OR BE DISMISSED FOR THE GOOD OF THE SCHOOL
HE IS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE SCHOOL. HE IS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO HIMSELF. HE IS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO HIS STATE. HE IS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THIS COUNTRY.
Mr. crow will never be free of this even with his resignation. He will go down in history as the man who deliberately insulted the 1st black president of the United States. This will be his note in history: Mr. Crow the bigot of Arizona State!
MR. CROW MUST RESIGN IMMEDIATELY - OR BE DISMISSED.
I had chosen AZ as my retirement home, but the more I read about the attitudes and extreme right politicians and citizens the more I am reconsidering that move. It seems they are still dwelling in the 1850's. Hang them before the verdict or trial, please no blacks, get rid of allthe hispanics, even if they were born in the US and are full citizens.
Just take a look as Sheriff Joe, Jeff Flakes and etal. Wake up Arizona this is 2009.
The year of our lord 2009 in a country history where people of color buy law was not 100% human and who was treaded like cattle. The people of color was too ashamed to talk about being a slave 1694 to 1865.1865 to now is still a second class person. People of color was being lynch while burning and hundred of people (White) watching.
Those people would never think that one day a person of color will become the President of this country. The history of this country has always had two history one White the other one Black and both people live in the same country. The golden rule one whom has the gold make the rules.
The President of ASU has the gold.
Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 12 2009 @ 11:18AMPeter, should you decide to make Airy Zona your retirement location please know that you and I will be the only retirees in the state smart enough to recognize arpaio for what he is. Whatever you do, don't move to the Sun City area. You definitely won't like the crowd there.
Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 12 2009 @ 2:53PMTHE ASU HONOR needs to be given in Shirley chisholms' name: she was the First and the Best trailblazer for Change in america and american Politics. The scholarship should be dedicated to The Firt geound breker in american modern history Congresswomwn/U.S. Representative and presidential Candidate Shirley Chisholm.
(april 6, 2008)
The Assassination of Shirley Chisholm…The Great EQUALIZER…and Reformer…in address of a dysfunctional United States of America.
Jesse Ventura Thinks Outside the Box!… and the Political Assassination of Shirley Chisholm in the Political Media Complex of the United States. Ventura makes statements/remarks not only of not only physical Assassination but of Political Assassination.
Is the great Shirley Chisholm our Presidential- Political Leader and Icon of change in America the victim of assassination by the Political/Media Complex? Is this type of assassination Institutional Racism??
Are there major problems with Americas institutions of because of the lack of Recognition of a World History Figure, Icon and Pioneer as Shirley Chisholm is??
Is the United States still the Divided States socialy racially, economically and politically because of the Assasination of Shirley Chisholm by the Political Media Complex of America.
Due to the political fiasco of the Bush Administration (Katrina etc…)and the Racial Dilemma that the country has today…is it Time for a Shirley Chisholm’s philosophies’ again in order to Educate America on social and political policy in order to build a better America and form a more perfect union and bring equality and justice back to America.
Today’s Candidates…
The Democratic Presidential Candidates: The Catalyst for Change Era Founded in 1972 by Political Architect and Pioneer Shirley Chisholm - A Leadership Example and Model for Today’s Cadidates in The Presidential Campaign for 2008.
On THE DREAM …….???
NoW…Lets really be Honest and i mean Really!! THE ASU HONOR needs to be given in Shirley chisholms' name.
Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 12 2009 @ 3:24PMTHE ASU HONOR needs to be given in Shirley chisholms' name: she was the First and the Best trailblazer for Change in america and american Politics. The scholarship should be dedicated to The Firt geound breker in american modern history Congresswomwn/U.S. Representative and presidential Candidate Shirley Chisholm.
(april 6, 2008)
The Assassination of Shirley Chisholm…The Great EQUALIZER…and Reformer…in address of a dysfunctional United States of America.
Jesse Ventura Thinks Outside the Box!… and the Political Assassination of Shirley Chisholm in the Political Media Complex of the United States. Ventura makes statements/remarks not only of not only physical Assassination but of Political Assassination.
Is the great Shirley Chisholm our Presidential- Political Leader and Icon of change in America the victim of assassination by the Political/Media Complex? Is this type of assassination Institutional Racism??
Are there major problems with Americas institutions of because of the lack of Recognition of a World History Figure, Icon and Pioneer as Shirley Chisholm is??
Is the United States still the Divided States socialy racially, economically and politically because of the Assasination of Shirley Chisholm by the Political Media Complex of America.
Due to the political fiasco of the Bush Administration (Katrina etc…)and the Racial Dilemma that the country has today…is it Time for a Shirley Chisholm’s philosophies’ again in order to Educate America on social and political policy in order to build a better America and form a more perfect union and bring equality and justice back to America.
Today’s Candidates…
The Democratic Presidential Candidates: The Catalyst for Change Era Founded in 1972 by Political Architect and Pioneer Shirley Chisholm - A Leadership Example and Model for Today’s Cadidates in The Presidential Campaign for 2008.
On THE DREAM …….???
NoW…Lets really be Honest and i mean Really!! THE ASU HONOR needs to be given in Shirley chisholms' name.
Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 12 2009 @ 3:27PMRead more on this, http://marketingsociologist.blogspot.com/2009/04/arizonas-answer-to-aig-arizona-state.html
Why wasn't Crow fired?
Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 12 2009 @ 3:45PMWho cares....
Is this honorary degree going to fix the economy ?
Is it going to fix the unemployment ?
Is it going to help Arizona's housing crisis ?
What a waste energy for nothing more than a piece of paper that in the grand scheme of things means absolutely nothing......
Calling for the President of ASU to resign? Million Man March to get THE PRESIDENT a honorary degree from ASU? Whhhhhat?
Whatever drugs you're on, I'll take two!
Who cares about an honorary degree, hell, there are kids graduating from ASU that aren't qualified to work at McDonald's as managers. A lot of good an honorary degree from that school is going to do you. The man has a real degree from another University, you may of heard of it, it's named HARVARD. In the food chain of schools, Harvard is near the top, ASU is near the bottom.
It's like having the congressional medal of honor and worrying that your local church isn't going to give you "volunteer of the month."
Gimmie a break. It's neither racial or policitcal. They just decided that they weren't going to "honor" him that way.
Chill out you twinkies.
Posted On: Monday, Apr. 13 2009 @ 1:38AMFor a perspective on why this is important - but probably moot read
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/98123
Sooo embarrassed and ashamed to be an AZ resident. Michael "Jim" Crow needs to resign.
President Obama should alternatively deliver the commencement address by video clip as "the best means of honoring" the graduating class.
The condescending snub just solidifies ASU as a 3rd rate non-progressive institution. President Obama could have selected any number of highly-esteemed ivy league institutions. Why he would choose ungrateful ASU is beyond me. Glad I'm not an alum or student there.
Posted On: Monday, Apr. 13 2009 @ 8:18PMI agree with the previous blogger. He should be named "Jim" Crow. As for the denial of an honorary degree from that bastion of higher learning, ASU, I have not seen such a blatantly bigoted and racist act by an Arizona public official since former Gov. Even Mecham rescinded the Martin Luther King holiday as his first official act after taking office. Mecham was later removed from office (though amazingly not for this act). Crow should resign his office. He is after all, a public official and represents the people of Arizona. As a resident of Arizona, I am ashamed to admit that I live in Arizona. Henceforth, I'll tell people that I'm from Mississippi.
Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 14 2009 @ 3:40AMI agree with the previous blogger. He should be named "Jim" Crow. As for the denial of an honorary degree from that bastion of higher learning, ASU, I have not seen such a blatantly bigoted and racist act by an Arizona public official since former Gov. Even Mecham rescinded the Martin Luther King holiday as his first official act after taking office. Mecham was later removed from office (though amazingly not for this act). Crow should resign his office. He is after all, a public official and represents the people of Arizona. As a resident of Arizona, I am ashamed to admit that I live in Arizona. Henceforth, I'll tell people that I'm from Mississippi.
Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 14 2009 @ 3:44AMUmmmm excuse me..... isn't this just Arizona State? Yawn.... like ASU would ever hope to get anyone as important as President Obama. This man is the biggest draw in the world and a lackluster state college wants to try to get into the big leagues?
Obama will withdraw and ASU will lose. Crow can wear his KKK robe 24X7 with all of the free time he will soon have.
Posted On: Wednesday, Apr. 15 2009 @ 3:46PMfirst of all he is not the first black pres. he is not a citizen of the usa if he is he will not prove it he is hidding something i even have read that he is behind in paying his own taxes if that is the kind of pres. you want wake up
Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 19 2009 @ 10:33PMI do not know what people are thinking who sit on these committees. How in the world can any rational, educated, and fair-minded person conclude that Barack Obama a person who has inspired the world is not worthy of a honorary degree? It is a honor for ASU to have his name on their degree.
Posted On: Thursday, May. 14 2009 @ 12:28AM"Jim" Crow has done irreparable harm to ASU. He should resign or be forced out. ASU has become the butt of late-night comedians where you get a degree in lawn mowing. Remember the saying: If you can't run with the big dogs, then stay on the porch.
ASU has proven that it is not ready for the big stage. Jim Crow took what should have been a shining moment and turned the school into a national joke with his clowning and ineptitude. The icing on the cake was when the imbecile from media relations released a statement that Obama had "not accomplished enough."Congratulations, Mr, Crow. You have "stuck to your guns" and proven yourself to be an idiot of the first order.
All of you people who denounce ASU and Crow are just a bunch of hate talkers. I bet if you all had your way you would burn ASU to the ground. I am sure our president Obama does not concern himself on any level what ASU thinks they should award him or give him. If he DID then i would start to worry about why he is even in office. Calling Arizona a "hick redneck" state is insulting to all of those citizens who are NOT red necks! The word itself is a racist term and all of you who use it need to stop living this double standard. The man is our president and we should listen to him, rather than make up what we THINK is what he wants. Get real. Get over it. You all have degrees and it may show you are smart, but clearly you still have some learning to do when it comes to being tolerant.
Posted On: Monday, May. 25 2009 @ 5:20PM
