Darius Rucker Enjoying His New Title

When Darius Rucker became Dr. Darius Rucker this past May, he says it was one of the greatest moments in his life. The singer was given an honorary doctorate of humane letters from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston for his work in the community.

"The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is my home, it's where mother worked for 30 years. It was where I ate, where I got my clothes -- everything about the university was home to me," Darius told The Boot. "So to be asked years later to come back and give a speech at graduation, and be presented with an honorary doctorate, was a big deal to me."

The dad of three says when his wife told their 9-year-old daughter about his diploma, her immediate response was, "What, he didn't have to go to school?"

During his commencement speech to the more than 800 graduates of six colleges from MUSC, Darius told them, "I want to thank you for saying to the world, 'I'm going to take my brains, my talents and my smarts, and I'm going to make the world a better place.' And I want you to know this is a day I will never forget."

Darius participated in another cool event at graduation, when he visited with seven fellow double-doctoral candidates, who shared a bottle of champagne onstage and a toast with the singer. The Grammy-winning artist told them it was an honor to be there with them, noting that he graduated from Middleton High School in Charleston. He also was a student at MUSC but left to pursue his career in music.

Darius said he had to wonder what some of the parents of the students to whom he spoke thought of him being asked to be the guest speaker. "Here they've spent all this money on their kids' education, and they find out that I am going to be their guest speaker," he said with a laugh. "But it was one of those honors that is unbelievable, one you don't expect to happen. I even asked my lawyer if I could check off 'Dr.' in those spaces on applications and he said legally I can!"

Darius has other connections to MUSC and the Charleston community. He and his wife, Beth, serve on the board of the Children's Hospital, and he has made donations to the university. Additionally his Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation helps needy children get a education.

The South Carolina native says the honorary diploma will be proudly displayed in his home in Charleston, so "everyone will know to call me Dr. Rucker!"