Dame Susan Devoy can now call herself a doctor after she was awarded an honorary doctorate by Waikato University at its Tauranga campus graduation ceremony yesterday.
The newly appointed Race Relations Commissioner joins other high-profile Tauranga residents such as former Port of Tauranga chief executive officer Jon Mayson to be given an honorary doctorate for a lifetime of achievement.
Waikato University Chancellor and former prime minister Jim Bolger conferred the doctorate after the packed auditorium at the Holy Trinity Church heard details of her life's work. It included nine years virtually at the top of world squash.
Dame Susan's work since retiring from the professional circuit has included the Halberg Trust, the New Zealand Muscular Dystrophy Association and TECT.
Dame Susan, 49, told the audience her life had been a wonderful tapestry of experiences. She felt humbled and privileged to receive the doctorate.