University offers Jeremiah Wright a doctorate, then says "nevermind"

It may not be as outrageous as some of the other statements Jeremiah Wright has made lately, but something he said while preaching in Dallas on Sunday certainly raised some eyebrows.

Wright told the crowd at Friendship-West Baptist Church that Northwestern University was planning to give him an honorary doctorate in sacred theology before controversial clips from some of Wright’s sermons became public.

"The president of the university called and told me he was withdrawing the degree because I was not patriotic," Wright told the congregation.

Northwestern University confirmed to us Tuesday that the school had planned on giving Wright a degree at its commencement in June but changed its mind.

In an emailed statement, Alan Cubbage, Vice President for University Relations, said, "In light of the controversy around Dr. Wright and to ensure that the celebratory character of commencement not be affected, the university has withdrawn its invitation to Dr. Wright."

The university would not comment on whether its president told Wright he wasn't patriotic, or even if he called Wright directly.

-Aman Batheja

Comments

[Dr. Max Burkhead]

Jeremiah Wright receiving an honorary doctorate from N.U. and then withdrawing is one of the best decisions N.U. has ever made. This man is a fraud and is now using his controversy to pad his pockets. I am a graduate of Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth. When they wanted to give Jeremiah Wright an award I was thinking about turning in my degree!

[Ms.Holland]

They changed their minds? Ya Think? This so called preacher will single handly cost Obama any chance he has to become President. Instead of laying low after the original controversy and allowing it to die down, he goes on a round the country trot spewing his racist views, that I might add don't represent me or any of my family or friends. The media giving him publicity is the worst thing that could happen. Turn off the camera's then maybe he'll realize his 15 minutes of fame have come and gone.