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Controversy erupted after Arizona State decided against awarding President Barack Obama an honorary degree because "his body of work" does not meet their criteria of "a way to acknowledge people for their contributions to society." Arizona State claims it has specific rules for recognizing academic achievement, and Obama's "body of work is yet to come."

The University's rationale for denying Obama an honorary degree was met with derision, forcing university President Michael Crow to defensively justify the slight. "There was no intended slight," Crow said at the time. "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."

Arizona State has conferred honorary degrees to college presidents, newspaper publishers, and current political office holders. Barry Goldwater received his honorary degree from ASU 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 received her honorary degree just three years in her 25 years on the U.S. Supreme Court. They are routinely handed to donors at Arizona State.

Colleges and universities regularly bestow honorary degrees as a thank you for giving commencement speeches, which makes the Obama slight a bit puzzling. Why was President Obama slighted?

Politics may be the culprit. ASU is part of a "Blue" state, one that has voted Republican in the presidential race-with one exception-for the past sixty years. In 1996, Bill Clinton carried the state by a 47 percent to 44 percent margin. Clinton was the first Democrat to carry the state since Harry Truman in 1948. However, changing demographics now positions Arizona as a swing state, one that is not comfortably in the Republican camp. One of the reasons for ASU's honorary degree snub of Obama may be an effort to maintain political neutrality.

The irony of the ASU situation is that the public relations gaffe has forced Crow to reconsider his initial decision, thus naming the most important school scholarship for President Obama. The scholarship infers Obama accomplished something that directly affected the university. He never attended ASU.

The confusion enhanced by Michael Crow's explanations does not hide one fact: President Obama has made significant contributions to society. He has led one of the largest grass roots organizations in America. He was a United States Senator who became the first African-American President of the United States. He has made countless contributions to the advancement of education.

Arizona State University's obdurate refusal to present an honorary degree to President Obama has backed the university into a public relations corner. The decision forced officials to make amends and recognize the president for his accomplishments.

Learn more about this author, Keith Bailey.
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