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May 10, 2012

Shaquille ONeal receives applause after receiving his doctorate - photo courtesy of Barry University
Shaquille O'Neal receives applause after receiving his doctorate
(photo courtesy of Barry University).

It’s Dr. Shaq

It’s no longer just a Shaq Attack. It’s now a Dr. Shaq Attack.

Shaquille O'Neal, one of the greatest players in National Basketball Association history, has won four NBA championships. Now he has enhanced his standing as a scholar/athlete after  being awarded his doctorate.

O'Neal graduated with an Ed.D degree in organizational learning and leadership with a specialization in human resource development on Saturday, May 5, from Barry University, a Catholic liberal-arts college based in Miami Shores, Fla. School officials were clearly excited about the attention O'Neal brought to the university. His graduation was the lead headline on its website. "Shaquille O'Neal graduates with a doctoral degree from Barry University."

“This is for my mother who always stressed the importance of education,” said O'Neal, who walked down the aisle to “Pomp and Circumstance” with 1,100 other students at the James L. Knight Center in Miami. “I am proud to have achieved a doctoral degree, and I wish to thank my professors and Barry University for helping make this dream a reality. I'm smart enough to know that even at my tender age, my pursuit of education is never finished.”

O'Neal is 40. For the past four and a half years, he pursued his doctoral degree in education while juggling his NBA schedule. He retired last year from the Boston Celtics. He also is an entrepreneur and a broadcaster. And with moniker Shaq Diesel, he also released four rap albums.

O'Neal completed his 54 hours of course work via satellite classrooms, video conference, on-campus courses and Blackboard. Blackboard Inc. is a Washington, D.C.-based company that extends teaching and learning online.

His dissertation is titled, “How Leaders Utilize Humor or Seriousness in Leadership Styles.” O'Neal graduated with a 3.813 grade point average.  O'Neal is a perfect example of a scholar-athlete.

In addition to his doctorate, O'Neal earned a bachelor's degree in general studies from Louisiana State University, and in 2005, the University of Phoenix awarded him a master’s degree in business administration.

During his career, O'Neal, who is 7 feet one inch tall, won NBA championships in 2000, 2001 and 2002 with the Los Angeles Lakers. He won his fourth NBA championship in 2006 playing with the Miami Heat.

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