Former NBA dominant center Shaquille O'Neal went by a number of nicknames during his extensive career. Names such as "Manny Shaq-iaou", "The Big Aristotle", "The Shaqtus", "The Big Diesel", or just simply "Shaq".
But, come this weekend, he will be able to go by a different name - Dr. O'Neal - as he's set to receive his Doctoral Degree from Barry University in Miami. He completed more than four years of grad studies; more specifically 16 courses, 54 credit hours, and finished with a 3.8 GPA.
He studied Organizational Learning and Leadership, during which he wrote a dissertation which included a visual project that he dubbed "How Leaders Utilize Humor or Seriousness in Leadership Roles."
Chairman of that particular program, Dr. David M. Kopp, spoke highly of the four-time NBA champion.
"He was a good student. He is very intellectually curious. He is like a sponge, he takes everything in."
Shaq will walk at the graduation ceremony this weekend.