Eikenberry receives honorary degree
By From staff reports
Published in News on December 21, 2015 1:46 PM
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Karl Eikenberry
Karl Eikenberry, a former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan and director of Stanford University's U.S.-Asia Security Initiative, received an honorary doctorate of human letters degree from N.C. State University.
Eikenberry, a 1969 graduate of Goldsboro High School, delivered the university's commencement address on Friday in Raleigh where the honorary degree was conferred by Chancellor Randy Woodson.
While campus, Eikenberry also was a special guest at the college's Interdisciplinary Studies graduation, where he gave a separate commencement address.
In addition, he met with students and faculty involved with international studies, security studies, and discerning the role of the humanities and social sciences in the 21st century.
"I received the honorary degree based upon, I think, my military and diplomatic career that I had and contributions I had made over time to the study of the arts and the humanities and social sciences," he said. "Lastly and what I think is important is that I am considered a son of North Carolina."
Eikenberry attended Goldsboro High School from 1966 to 1969.
"I had moved to Goldsboro to begin that sophomore year from the Midwest," he said. "But after I graduated from Goldsboro High my parents would remain in North Carolina. I went straight from Goldsboro High to the United States Military Academy and began a 35-year military career."
Eikenberry said with all his world travels through the military and as a diplomat that he made North Carolina his home. He still has a sister who lives in Raleigh.
He said he continues to return to the state at least one or more times a year.
His parents, Harry and Mary Eikenberry, are both deceased. His father is buried in Goldsboro and his mother in Raleigh.
His father was a corporate executive in the 1950s and 1960s who had developed a reputation as someone who was effective and in starting companies that were on the cusp of being ready to expand, or that were struggling, he said.
The family moved to Goldsboro in 1966 after his father, who was heading Heavy Duty Electric at the time, began a search for a new plant location. He selected Goldsboro.
"We moved there in the summer of 1966 and began a very different life," he said. "I was fortunate because the community I moved into and the high school were both terrific. I think owe a whole lot to that community and that high school."
Eikenberry, who is affiliated with Stanford's centers for international security, Europe, and democratic, sustainable development, is a champion of humanities and social sciences.
He served on a commission that produced "The Heart of the Matter," a report written at the request of a bipartisan congressional committee that detailed both the neglect of humanities and social sciences, and their essential importance.
"Ambassador Eikenberry brings a unique perspective to national discussions over the role of humanities and social sciences," said Jeff Braden, dean of Humanities and Social Sciences. "He commanded allied forces in Afghanistan -- a role most would assume would cause him to eschew the role of humanities and social sciences in favor of technology. But he firmly believes humanities and social sciences are critical to achieving our nation's strategic goals. We are delighted that N.C. State chose him to address the university's graduating students."
As ambassador to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2011, Eikenberry led the civilian surge directed by President Barack Obama to reverse insurgent momentum and set the conditions for transition to full Afghan sovereignty.
Before appointment as chief of mission in Kabul, he had a 35-year career in the U.S. Army, retiring as lieutenant general. He served as commander and staff officer in the continental U.S., Hawaii, Korea, Italy and Afghanistan, commanding American-led coalition forces from 2005 to 2007.
Eikenberry is former deputy chairman of the NATO Military Committee.
He has held policy and political-military positions related to Afghanistan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Mongolia.
In addition to U.S. military and government honors, Eikenberry has won decorations from Canada, France and Afghanistan and the NATO Meritorious Service Medal.