Honorary doctorate awarded college athlete battling cancer

Published Feb. 8, 2015 4:54 p.m. ET

foxsports

CINCINNATI (AP) College basketball player Lauren Hill has been awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from her school, Mount St. Joseph University in Ohio.

The university says the degree was given the freshman during a private ceremony Friday at the school chapel. The citation includes what's become Hill's slogan: ''Never give up.''

Hill achieved a dream last year of playing basketball, and scoring, despite suffering from an inoperable brain tumor. She also led a million-dollar fundraising drive for cancer research and treatment.

University President Tony Aretz says Hill's determined spirit, positive attitude and love of God taught everyone valuable lessons. He says Hill has ''served as an inspiration to us all.''