Riley Green Awarded Honorary Doctorate at Jacksonville State University
Green was awarded a Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, which recognizes his musical accomplishments.
Black News 
In addition to calling Riley Green a chart-topper, singer and songwriter, fans can now also call him doctor.
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The 37-year-old artist has received an honorary doctorate from Alabama’s Jacksonville State University. During the university’s spring commencement ceremony on Thursday (April 30) at Pete Mathews Coliseum, Green was awarded a Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, which recognizes his music accomplishments as well as his continued support of Jacksonville and Jax State, and the impact he’s had as an ambassador for his hometown. His honorary doctorate degree hooding was performed by members of the Jax State Board of Trustees, including chairman Randy Jones and Country Music Hall of Famer Randy Owen of the group Alabama.
Green, a former Jax State quarterback, also served as the keynote speaker for the 1 p.m. ceremony and encouraged graduates to focus on work ethic and owning their path.
During his keynote speech, Green also recalled the lessons in discipline and accountability he learned from the coaches early on at Jacksonville State University, saying, “I had to show up and put the work in, or I was not going to be successful … it was pretty eye-opening for me.”
He also spoke of how he briefly worked in construction before pursuing music, and again spoke of how work ethic was key no matter what job he was doing. “If I was toting lumber, I was carrying as many 2x4s as I could … I got that from my dad. He’s the hardest working man I’ve ever been around … I was very fortunate to grow up around a lot of really hard-working men. I think that’s something that’s probably gotten me further than anything I’ve ever done in my life … that was the biggest praise I could get, was being told I was a hard worker,” he said. “So my advice to the 2026 graduating class is grab the heavy end. Whatever you’re doing, whatever it is that you find that you’re good at — and you will find something — don’t let it get away. Chase it.”
“Riley’s story is one our students can see themselves in,” said Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth Jr., in a statement. “He started here, put in the work, took a chance on his path and built something meaningful. What makes today special is not just what he’s accomplished, but how he has continued to show up for this university and this community. He represents the very best of Jax State, and we are proud to recognize both his success and his impact with this honorary doctorate.”
Green’s hard work is paying off. He’s earned four No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay chart hits, including “Worst Way” and the Ella Langley collab “You Look Like You Love Me,” and has won several CMA and ACM Awards to date.
Green is set to perform during the upcoming ACM Awards on May 17, where is he also up for male artist of the year, album of the year (for Don’t Mind if I Do (Deluxe)), artist-songwriter of the year and music event of the year (for “Don’t Mind If I Do,” featuring Ella Langley).
