The University of Minnesota honored the late rock star Wednesday night with the institution’s highest award — an honorary doctor of humane letters degree to recognize his influence on music and his role in shaping his hometown of Minneapolis.
Eric Kaler and Regent Darrin Rosha, University President presented the school’s highest honor, the Doctorate of Humane Letters, to Prince’s sister, Tyka Nelson, in a ceremony on campus Wednesday evening. The university had been preparing to present it to Prince himself before his death in 2016.
Tyka Nelson, Prince’s sister, accepted the award from university President Eric W. Kaler and Regent Darrin Rosha at a ceremony in Minneapolis, the city where Prince was born and raised.
“If you (poked) him, you would probably hear a sound of music. He was music, kind of like how God is love,” Nelson told CNN affiliate WCCO.
Prince died in April 2016. In spite of that the university decided to continue a process that had started in 2015 and honor him with the posthumous degree. Awarding someone who isn’t alive is rare, the school said.
> Shiuly Rina
Prince Got Posthumous Honorary Degree from the University of Minnesota
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