The University of Oklahoma is celebrating the memory and legacy of Toby Keith with an honorary degree. This distinction comes three months after his passing after a battle with cancer Keith once called “pretty debilitating.”
Keith was 62 when he died in his sleep on February 5 in his home state of Oklahoma, and his association with the Sooner State lasted his whole life. Following the country music legend’s death, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt ordered for state and U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff on state property. When the University of Oklahoma basketball team hosted their rivals from Oklahoma State, the college joined together in singing his “Red Solo Cup.” Here is the latest way his home state is honoring Keith.
The University of Oklahoma is giving Toby Keith a posthumous honorary degree
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Keith, who was born in the city of Clinton and whose population numbered some 8,000 in 2020, was set to receive the honorary degree before his death, a distinction that had been shared with him. With Keith gone, plans have changed, but they are still poignant in a whole new way.
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Keith’s daughter, Krystal Keith, was tasked with accepting his honorary award in his stead. 38-year-old Krystal, an alum of the college, is proud of her own deep history with UO, saying in one Instagram post, “The @uofoklahoma is a HUGE part of our life. I love that he is being honored by Sooner Nation.”
The university’s Norman campus was chosen to host the special ceremony, where Krystal, a singer-songwriter in her own right was also invited to speak at the event.
All those impacted by Keith honor him
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Countless fans across the country honored Keith’s memory in the immediate aftermath of his passing—and they are from every walk of life. “Throughout his illustrious career, he remained rooted in his Oklahoma upbringing, choosing to live in the state that shaped him and giving back generously to his fellow Oklahoman,” said University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz, Jr. in an official statement after Keith’s passing.
Following Saturday’s ceremony, Keith’s official Instagram page shared an update on the proceedings. “Toby learned he would be receiving an honorary degree from @uofoklahoma last fall,” the post shared, “and yesterday, @krystalkeith accepted it on his behalf at the commencement ceremony. Congratulations to all of the OU graduates!”
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