Hmm, Balancing Out Notre Dame?

[Annie]

Notre Dame the problem is embryonic stem cell research and abortion, now pic the reason....


Dawn Teo: ASU Stiffs Obama, Claims Too Inexperienced For Honorary Degree

Dawn TeoArizona Politics

Posted April 9, 2009 | 06:31 PM (EST)

TEMPE, ARIZONA - 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.

A local paper published an editorial within hours of the news, exhorting ASU to give the honorary degree to Obama:...

 

[AnnECUCherry]

I think the situation is mostly a difference between how the two universities view the awarding of honorary degrees.

This describes ASU's history:

"...Phoenix's East Valley Tribune notes,


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 foreighn communist educator and a successful movie director.

But no president of the United States has been deemed worthy of ASU's recognition..."

Arizona State University Denies President Obama Honorary Degree? - Political Machine - Politics Blog, Opinion and Analysis - AOL News

While this describes Notre Dame's history:

"...Barack Obama will be the ninth U.S. president to be awarded an honorary degree by the University of Notre Dame and the sixth to be the Commencement speaker...."

President Obama to deliver Notre Dame’s Commencement address // News // Office of News and Information // University of Notre Dame