Let me be the first -- chicken in cheek -- to chide The Arizona Republic for going with an Associated Press report instead of assigning one of its own reporters to cover such a fascinating Godbeat story in its own backyard. I look forward to the photos and coverage of the actual event. How can they pass this up?

Christian university to honor Alice Cooper

School's in for shock rocker Alice Cooper.

Cooper, whose hits included School's Out, is being awarded an honorary doctorate by a Christian liberal-arts college.

The 56-year-old will be given the honorary degree at Grand Canyon University's commencement ceremony Saturday.

The rocker, whose classic albums include Killer and Welcome to My Nightmare, has been a financial supporter of the school, university officials said.

Well, I think the black robe and colorful hood will look cool. If the honorary doctorate is in theology, that would lead to a blood-red academic color scheme. But it would be better if it was a degree in music. This might allow Cooper -- now a born-again Christian and active community volunteer -- to become one of the very, very few people teaching popular music studies in Christian higher education. One can hope.

"Alice Cooper is a guy who made it big in a very tough business and has made his faith a priority," university Vice Chairman Michael Clifford said in a written statement. "He can become a real mentor for our students, sharing his knowledge, valuable contacts and real-life experiences in the performing arts."

Meanwhile, entertainment writers in England will have to wrestle with the new Dr. Cooper later this summer. It's clear that they don't quite know what to make of him.

X-clusive: Alice Cooper Returns To London

One-time shock-rocker, now tee-total golf-lover Alice Cooper has announced details for a special one-off London show. Expect make-up, a legendary rocker swiping at thin air with a riding crop and more gore than you can shake a stick (or riding crop) at. The exclusive one-night-only show takes place on June 27 at the Carling Hammersmith Apollo in West London.

Here's what we need. We need Baptist Press to cover both the commencement rites and the concert.