TSU NEWS
Home >> About  >> Administration  >>  University_Advancement  >>  Communications  >>  News_Reel  >> TSU Alum Michael Strahan to Receive One of University’s Highest Honors

TSU Alum Michael Strahan to Receive One of University’s Highest Honors

 

 

strahanThe campus of Texas Southern University is all abuzz this week after learning that the university's Board of Regents unanimously agreed to award the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters to one of its top alumni. Super Bowl Champion, businessman, and broadcaster Michael Strahan will be honored with the university's highest honor, the doctorate degree.  Strahan will be honored at Spring Commencement Exercises at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 11th.
This special moment will occur at the campus Health and PE Arena. Over 10,000 are expected to be on hand for the ceremony where over 800 students will march across the stage to receive their degrees from TSU's 10 colleges and schools.
Dr. John Rudley, university president, made a special trip to New York recently to officially make the offer to Strahan. While there and visiting the set of LIVE with Kelly and Michael, Rudley witnessed in person Strahan's magnetic personality and huge presence on and off the stage. Rudley was accompanied on the trip by Eva Pickens, TSU's Associate Vice President of Communications and Community Relations.
"I never doubted for a moment that this was the right thing to do," stated Rudley. "To give the Honorary Degree to an alumnus who has given TSU more than he will ever know, just makes perfect sense to me. Just the mere mention of TSU's name in the circles where Michael speaks about his college days gives TSU immediate credibility, notoriety and substance. It means so much to those who carry the TSU degree and those who are contemplating enrolling here."
Organizers have huge plans for May 11, beginning with the conferring of the Honorary Degree by Dr. Rudley, Chairman of TSU's Board of Regents Glenn Lewis, and Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Sunny Ohia. Besides the degree, TSU will recognize May 11th as Michael Strahan Day in the City of Houston and will be joined by other dignitaries presenting proclamations representing the following offices and entities: The U.S. Congress, the U.S. House, the U.S. Senate, State Representatives, Houston Mayor's office, Harris County Commissioners, Texas Southern University, Westbury High School and the TSU National Alumni Association.
"When you look at a Michael Strahan, you see someone who everybody wants to know. He's still down to earth, but is truly a savvy businessman and professional," stated Pickens.
On LIVE with Kelly and Michael, he's quick, a special skill only few people inherit. As a sports commentator, he's knowledgeable about the game he once mastered on the field. He studies the game daily.
It is Michael's passion for education, personality, knowledge, business acumen, and know-how that inspired TSU's president Rudley to recommend to the Board of Regents that the university's highest honor should be bestowed upon this former student of Texas Southern. TSU Board of Regents agreed by voting unanimously.
ABOUT MICHAEL STRAHAN
Legendary Super Bowl Champion and "Fox NFL Sunday" co-host Michael Strahan has been named the permanent host of newly-rechristened morning talk show "LIVE with Kelly and Michael." After an extensive search encompassing more than nine months and some of the top personalities from every area of broadcasting and entertainment, Strahan joined the Emmy-winning show full-time on September 4, 2012.
Prior to joining the ranks of the top sports broadcasters in the country, Strahan's entire 15-year football career was typified by the charisma and sportsmanship that made him a seven-time Pro-Bowler and one of only four players ever to lead the NFL in sacks for two seasons.
Strahan led the New York Giants to a dramatic Super Bowl victory over the previously undefeated New England Patriots in 2007. In 2001, Strahan completed what is widely considered to be one of the greatest seasons ever for a defensive player, breaking the 18-year-old NFL single season sack record with 22.5 sacks. His record still stands today. The charismatic leader of the New York Giants was named the NFL's 2001 Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated and the 2001 Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press, making him the first New York Giant to win the award since Lawrence Taylor.
With a natural affinity for people and an effortless ease in front of the camera, Strahan has held hosting duties for several series prior to joining "LIVE." He also has appeared on "Pros v. Joes," which pits amateur contestants against professional athletes in a series of athletic feats. Strahan co-hosted the family cable show "Backyard Stadiums" on DIY Network and built outdoor recreational projects with his co-host.  In addition, he participated in the kid-friendly show "Giants on Deck" and the YES Network show "Sack and Renovate," in which he led a guided tour inside his 100-year-old home. Strahan also tackled the world of scripted network primetime television as the star of "Brothers," a 30-minute sitcom on Fox from Sony Pictures Television.
Dedicated to many charitable works, Strahan donates his hands and heart to numerous charities including St. Jude Children's hospital, The USO, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Cedar Sinai's Sports Spectacular, and The Fresh Air Fund. Strahan also has teamed up with Mayor Cory Booker of Newark in the creation of the Newark Mentoring Movement, a youth mentoring program.
Strahan was a vocal and visible leader among the athletic community in the aftermath of the World Trade Center tragedy. As the player representative for the Giants, Strahan led the charge in calling for the league to cancel its games following the event.
Born in Houston, Texas, Strahan spent most of his youth in Germany, where his father Gene was stationed in the U.S. Army. Strahan returned to the U.S. for a portion of high school and soon was recruited to play football at Texas Southern University. As a senior at Texas Southern, Strahan was selected first team All-America by the Associated Press when he recorded a school-record 19 sacks and 62 tackles, 32 of which cost opposing teams 142 yards in combined losses.
Now partnered with long time friends Constance Schwartz and Mark Sudack to form SMAC Entertainment, Strahan brings his skills, determination, leadership, experience and humor to the multi-dimensional entertainment management, branding, and Production Company.