Whether LeBron James has been playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, or Los Angeles Lakers, he’s made it his mission to use his voice and influence to uplift and advance his community.
Ohio State University Preparing To Honor LeBron James
The Akron-based LeBron James Family Foundation and I Promise School aren’t just a couple of the king’s crown jewels, they provide practical solutions to real problems that less fortunate families face. He’s partnered with the University of Akron to provide four-year scholarships for students from his I Promise program. James has also been key in establishing a university resource center (I Promise Institute, a transitional housing complex (I Promise Village), and medical center (I Promise HealthQuarters) for the Akron community.
For these projects and his other charitable works, James may soon be honored with an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree, per 10TV’s Web Staff. Ohio State University’s board of trustees “will vote Wednesday.” The school believes James “has redefined philanthropy to create a revolutionary model for community building in his hometown of Akron.”
Dr. James?
There have been a number of former NBA players to receive an honorary doctorate degree.
Steve Kerr (now the Golden State Warriors head coach) was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree from Arizona. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Public Service degree from the University of Central Florida. Dikembe Mutombo has been awarded three honorary degrees, each a Doctorate of Humane Letters. Magic Johnson also has multiple honorary degrees, his first a Doctorate of Philosophy in Humanities from Rust College. Bill Russell has honorary doctorate degrees from Harvard University and the University of San Francisco (granted posthumously).
James would be the first active NBA player to receive an honorary doctorate since Johnson.
In 1989, Johnson received his degree from Mississippi’s Rust College for his work with the United Negro College Fund. Of note, Rust College —formerly known as Shaw University —is a historically black college (HBCU). Interestingly, Johnson attended Michigan State University, which is located more than 700 miles away from Rust College. However, his father was from Wesson (MS), less than four hours away from the Rust College campus.
© Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK
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