Shaquille O'Neal Earns Doctorate Degree

He's officially Dr. O'Neal now. NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal received his doctoral degree in Education from Barry University Saturday morning alongside another 1,100 students during multiple commencement ceremonies at the James L. Knight Center. Like all things done by the four-time world champion, 15-time All-Star, movie star, rapper and entertainer, O'Neal, 40, received his degree in Organizational Learning and Leadership with a specialization in Human Resource Development in style. Wearing a bright red XXXL-sized robe, the 7-foot, 1, 325-pound retired center got on one knee on stage so Dr. David M. Kopp could place a light blue hood around his big neck. O'Neal celebrated by standing up and lifting up Kopp like Tarzan rescuing Jane. The moment, which was being captured by TV cameras and student's cell phones, brought on loud cheers from the crowd. O'Neal then walked over hugged Terry Piper the dean for the school of education before posing for photos with his cap, gown and hood like all the other students. On his way back to his seat, alongside his manager Cynthia Atterberry, who also received a doctorate in education, O'Neal strolled by a star struck row of graduates handing out high-fives like he was walking past teammates on the bench. O'Neal achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.813 while completing 54 credit hours at Barry -- mostly through online courses and video conferencing over the last four years. His Doctoral Capstone Project was titled: "How Leaders Utilize Humor or Seriousness in Leadership Styles." With his mother and family sitting in the crowd, O'Neal stayed through the entire two hour commencement ceremony and held a press conference when the event was over.