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HAMMOND, La. (AP) — Southeastern Louisiana University will honor ABC's "Good Morning America" co-host Robin Roberts with an honorary doctorate at its spring commencement on May 17.
The school's governing body, the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, approved awarding Roberts with the degree last year. The ceremony is set for 10 a.m. at the University Center, where about 1,200 students will receive bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.
"Robin has been a tremendous treasure for Southeastern, and we are proud to confer upon her this honorary doctoral degree," said university President John L. Crain. "Her personal and professional achievements have made her a true role model. She is one of the university's foremost advocates and ambassadors."
Roberts is a 1983 communications graduate and former basketball star at Southeastern. After graduating, she entered the broadcasting field and eventually joined ESPN, hosting "SportsCenter" and contributing regularly to "NFL Primetime." She joined "Good Morning America" in 2005.
She is also the author of several books, including "From the Heart: Seven Rules to Live By" and "My Story, My Song: Mother-Daughter Reflections on Life and Faith," which was co-written with her late mother, Lucimarian Roberts and Missy Bucanan.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, Roberts underwent a bone marrow transplant to treat pre-leukemia in 2011. Southeastern students started a program to educate the public and recruit potential donors for patients with leukemia and other blood diseases called "Swabbin' 4 Robin" and recruited a record number of potential donors for the nonprofit organization Be the Match.
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