May 2, 2007 -- Arkansas State University will award the honorary Doctor of Laws Degree to Mike Beebe, Governor of Arkansas, in recognition of his outstanding achievements and exemplary public service to the people of Arkansas.

The presentation will be made Saturday, May 5, during the first of two spring commencement ceremonies in the Convocation Center. The public is welcome to attend the ceremonies, which begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Dr. Robert Potts, chancellor of ASU-Jonesboro, will confer the honorary doctoral degree upon recommendation by the faculty and with approval of the Board of Trustees.

Honorary degrees are "conferred to create a significant and lasting tribute" to individuals who "have demonstrated outstanding achievement and serve as an example of excellence to the student body and to others in the University community," according to the resolution passed by the ASU Board of Trustees during a meeting this morning.

Mike Beebe was elected 45th governor of the state of Arkansas in November 2006, following more than two decades of dedicated public service to the people of Arkansas. As governor, he is moving to implement the positive vision he laid out for Arkansas.

Beebe was born in Amagon (Jackson County) in 1946. He earned a bachelor of science degree in political science from Arkansas State University in 1968 and a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1972, all while serving his country in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Elected to the Arkansas Senate in 1982, Beebe has been an advocate for fiscal conservatism and bi-partisan cooperation to resolve the challenges the state has faced. After 20 years in the Senate, he was elected Arkansas’ Attorney General in 2002.

The Arkansas State University Alumni Association recognized him as a Distinguished Alumnus in 1989.

Beebe and his wife, Ginger, have three adult children. Beebe is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Searcy, where he has served as senior warden and member of the vestry.

Honorary Doctoral Degree Recipients

Beebe is the 13th person to receive an honorary doctorate from Arkansas State University. The first was U.S. Senator Hattie Caraway in 1934.

Nominations for such recognition are reviewed and recommended by the university's Honorary Doctorate Committee, the vice chancellor for academic affairs and research, and the chancellor. Final approval for granting the honorary degree rests with the Board of Trustees.

Previous recipients of honorary doctoral degrees at ASU are:

U.S. Senator Hattie Caraway ~ May 14, 1934
Gov. Carl E. Bailey ~ May 16, 1938
Mr. Victor C. Kays ~ May 25, 1956
Mr. John A. Cooper ~ May 14, 1982
Mr. R. E. Lee Wilson, IV ~ May 14, 1982
Mr. Herbert H. McAdams ~ May 11, 1984
Mr. Ben Owens ~ May 10, 1991
The Honorable Sheikh Hamad I. Al-Rashudi ~ May 8, 1992
Mr. John W. Troutt, Jr. ~ May 8, 1992
Mr. Paul W. Klipsch ~ May 12, 1995
Mr. Townsend Wolfe ~ May 10, 2002
Dr. C. Calvin Smith ~ May 6, 2005

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