NAVAJO NATION PRESIDENT JOE SHIRLEY, JR., TO RECEIVE HONORARY DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS FROM NAU
Monday, December 12, 2005
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. Navajo Nation President
Joe Shirley, Jr., will receive an honorary
Doctor of Humane Letters degree next Friday
during Northern Arizona University's fall 2005
commencement ceremonies, becoming the first
sitting Navajo president to receive such an
honor. The President, who made education the top
priority of the Shirley/Dayish Administration,
will also address the more than 2,100
graduates. The ceremonies will be at 10 a.m.
and 3 p.m. on Dec. 16 in the J. Walkup Skydome
in Flagstaff. I appreciate the Board of Regents and Dr.
(John) Haeger for this, President Shirley
said. It holds a special meaning for me
because my late daughter, Tona Vee
Shirley-Paymella, graduated from NAU with a
bachelorıs degree in 1998 and she was working
on her masterıs degree at the time she was
killed by a drunk driver two days after
Thanksgiving Day 2001. The graduation will be webcast live. Look
for the link at
The President said that as an elected official, he does not look for rewards or recognition. However, when one like this is presented, it is greatly appreciated.
Iıve always been in it to help, he said. When an honor like the conference of the honorary doctorate is presented, it is appreciated. It is very sweet and I canıt help but gain strength from it.
He said that as a leader, he appreciates that others acknowledge the efforts made by elected officials.
Elective office comes with its own awards, he said. Itıs not all a thankless position," he said. ³There are people out there who appreciate what an elected official does.
There is leadership out there who appreciate what Iıve done and what Iım doing now, President Shirley said. It gives me a very positive outlook on the future. I continue to want to serve. And do it even bigger and better.
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MORE INFO, TO WATCH LIVE VIA INTERNET
www.nau.edu/registrar/graduation/