Arizona State University has chosen to not award President Barack Obama with an honorary degree when he speaks at the ASU commencement on May 13th, 2009.

According to ASU spokeswoman Sharon Keeler this is because:
Its normally awarded to someone who has been in their field for some time, she said. Considering that the president is at the beginning of his presidency, his body of work is just beginning.

As a 2008 graduate of ASU, I would have been very honored to have him speak at my commencement ceremony. It is in fact an honor that such an important figure has chosen to speak at the commencement ceremony for Arizona State University. It is a travesty that he is not deemed worthy enough of an honorary degree. This decision has brought ridicule and shame to the university, and this is not appreciated by the students and alumni of ASU.

This petition is for the ASU Honorary Degree committee, the administrators of ASU, and the Arizona Board of Regents. All of the undersigned believe that Barack Obama should in fact be presented an Honorary Degree at the commencement ceremony on May 13th.