POTUS clears air over ASU degree controversy

Arizona State University didn't grant President Obama an honorary degree Wednesday night, and the President says he might know why.

Addressing 9,000 graduates, Mr. Obama began the first commencement address of his presidency by clearing the air.

"I have to tell you, I really thought it was much ado about nothing, although I think we all learned an important lesson. I learned never again to pick another team over the Sun Devils in my NCAA bracket, " he said, "President Crowe and the Board of Regents will soon learn all about being audited by the IRS."

ASU created quite a stir last month when it announced that it would not be giving Mr. Obama an honorary degree because his body of work was not extensive enough.

Mr. Obama seemed to agree with that notion joking that his wife, Michelle,"has a list of things I have not yet done waiting for me when I get home."

Veering from his prepared remarks, Mr. Obama continued, explaining that the title of president doesn't say that much about one's life, because, "there's always more to do, always more to learn and always more to achieve."

ASU sought to do some damage control a few weeks ago by announcing that it would rename and expand its largest scholarship program in honor of Mr. Obama.

The program will assist qualifying incoming freshman whose families make less that $60,000. A handful of the new ‘President Barack Obama Scholars' were introduced at the graduation.

He called on those scholars and the rest of the graduates to devote themselves to public service, "Did you study business?" he asked, "Start a business! Or why not help our struggling non-profits find better, more effective ways to serve folks in need. Nursing? Understaffed clinics and hospitals across this country are desperate for your help. Education? Teach in a high-need school; give a chance to kids we can't afford to give up on - prepare them to compete for any job anywhere in the world. Engineering? Help us lead a green revolution, developing new sources of clean energy that will power our economy and preserve our planet."

He finished his remarks with advice to the Class of 2009 about their own accomplishments. "Don't stop adding to your body of work," he told them.

Over seventy thousand people attended the ceremony at Sun Devil Stadium.