I’m a graduate student here working on a master’s degree. This means I pay for my education in monthly installments, and then I go to class, complete my assignments and do research. You know, intellectual engagement and contribution to the university – required accountability and expectation of academic achievement. So it was a bit surprising to see that OU is lowering its standards of Ph.D. achievement to an equal status of economic donor to the school. Honorary or not, buying or just showing up to get a degree is pretty weak.
Renowned historian David McCullough, author of the brilliant “1776” and “John Adams” books, is coming to speak at the OU commencement. A smart historian with a touch of storyteller, his choice to come is a great addition to the graduation festivities. I hope to hear what he has to say about education to the graduating class of 2009.
However, much to my puzzlement, I also read that McCullough will be presented with an honorary doctorate at OU when he comes.
If a degree were a gesture of thanks or a salute to nice work in a field, I would be more inclined to accept this. McCullough has neither studied nor taught at OU, having appeared twice at OU to discuss historical topics (once with former President George H.W. Bush.) So we will give him a high-level degree in recognition of his contributions to our university?
This is obviously not new, as McCullough has received close to 40 honorary degrees in his lifetime. Does this seem strange to anyone else?
But the confusion didn’t stop. To my amazement, The Daily reported on Tuesday that three other individuals will receive honorary doctorates for their respective work; however, two of them, Harold Hamm and Walter H. Helmerich III, are recognized for their endowments to create new programs at OU and other educational centers.
To be fair, I’m certain each of these men are wonderful contributors to the university.
But that’s just it. They are donors.
To get a Ph.D. in most any department at OU, the process is long and arduous. Classes must be taught, original research must be done and published and the vaunted dissertation has to happen. My classmates mostly roll their eyes when any of these aspects or the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for research are mentioned in conversation. It is a grueling, stressful, time-and-money-eating endeavor, one that results for many in the achievement of the degree.
I fully recognize that the honorary title is significantly different from the orthodox achievement. But to lump this group of four in with the students who have poured their free time, weekends, and sacrificed time with their families to pursue this academic goal seems to cause the honor to be cheated a little bit of its worthwhile recognition.
Inviting McCullough is a terrific idea, one which far outweighs some of OU’s past commencement speakers (Katie Couric, anyone?). But the idea of a doctorate awarded to someone practically unaffiliated with the university, which is made up of the hard-working students seeking their various degrees, lessens the importance and value of such a degree.
As such, I suggest we find an alternative method for recognizing these people, such as creating a yearly award recognizing such contributions. This would keep the donors happy, the historians writing and the doctoral candidates valued.
-Jon Malone is an English education graduate student.
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JWade 3 years, 1 month ago
And some french-fried taters. MMhmmmm.
livi0293 3 years, 1 month ago
Maybe not this whiny, but they can sure blow a lot of smoke about nothing.
kdbp1213 3 years, 1 month ago
just another example of time-wasting just as i'm wasting my time entering this comment...................
JWade 3 years, 1 month ago
.... an honorary degree means nothing. It's like the state legislature naming a day Jon Malone Day.... it means nothing. It doesn't go on any calendars and you can't use it in any way. Depending on the day, you may share it with several people.
It's just something to hang on your wall and a way for an organization to say "Thanks."
Could you not figure out anything to write this week? I don't get it.
Frank42 3 years, 1 month ago
Are all grad students this whiny?