Obama Says His, Graduates' Best Work Ahead (ASU Commencement)

Source: Associated Press

Obama Says His, Graduates' Best Work Ahead

President at commencement doesn't shy away from the "snub" by Arizona State University officials who said he didn't deserve an honorary degree because he hadn't accomplished enough yet.

TEMPE, Ariz. -- President Barack Obama didn't shy away from the "snub" by Arizona State University officials who said he didn't deserve an honorary degree because he hadn't accomplished enough yet. In a commencement speech Wednesday to a stadium full of young graduates, he said the officials were right. "I come here not to dispute the suggestion that I haven't yet achieved enough in my life," Obama said in prepared remarks. "I come to embrace it, to heartily concur, to affirm that one's title, even a title like 'president,' says very little about how well one's life has been led."

Obama used his first commencement address as president to challenge the graduating class to find new sources of energy, to improve failing schools and to never rely on past achievement.

- snip -

"I want to say to you today, graduates, that despite having achieved a remarkable milestone -- one that you and your families are rightfully proud of -- you, too, cannot rest on your laurels," the president said, wearing a black gown with red embellishments. "Your body of work is yet to come."

Guests who deliver commencement addresses typically are awarded honorary degrees as a sign of respect and appreciation. Arizona State University officials, however, did not award any honorary degrees this year.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/13/obama-welcomed-arizona-state-graduation

And I just love our President!

He is so inspiring. I'm so glad he talked about what is really important by turning the "snub" around on its head. He is a master of the re-frame.

And I'm sorry if I'm sounding mushy, but he inspires me to want to do my best every day. At school, at work, at life.

:fistbump:

:patriot:

and turn it into a positive teaching moment.

... only losers get weighed down by critics. Winners use criticism as a tool to learn further about themselves. I am glad US has a winner for POTUS.

Totally pwned ASU

No one can point out the stupidity better than they can and make it entertaining!

He even made a jab at Michael Crow, joking that he'd have the IRS audit him.

Crow didn't think that was very funny. :rofl:

All the people in the background (who I assume were all trustees and/or big shots at ASU?) were pretty stone-faced. :rofl:

They got totally owned. In a nice, congenial, Obama sort or way, of course.

:thumbsup: