On Saturday (May 1), Quality Control Music co-founder Coach K returned to his alma mater Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC. He walked across the stage at his school’s commencement ceremony where he received his bachelor’s degree in organizational management and an honorary doctorate degree of humane letters.

On Instagram, QC’s head honcho shared several images of himself in his cap and gown. He captioned the photo, “Dr. Kevin “Coach” Lee has entered the building.” “I’m beyond grateful that today I got to walk across the stage to get my Bachelors of Science degree in organizational management & earn a Doctorate Degree of Human Letters,” he wrote.

Before he helped build one of hip hop’s most formidable record labels, Coach K was a student athlete at Saint Augustine’s University over 20 years ago. The rap mogul played basketball for the HBCU but after he suffered an injury, he left school to pursue other activities.

Last year, he finished what he started and graduated with a degree in organizational management through Saint Augustine’s Gateway Program for adult learners. Due to the pandemic, Coach K wasn’t able to walk across the stage in 2020 but the university resumed commencement activities this year with an in-person ceremony.

“After having success in this music business, I was still missing something,” Coach K told students at the graduation. “My mother and grandmother … All I ever wanted to do was walk across that stage so they could see me graduate, so I enrolled back into Saint Aug. I’m not gonna lie, it was tough because I have a crazy busy schedule but that light was in me. I’mma tell ya’ll, all ya’ll graduates out here ya’ll made it to the finish line. That’s the most important part.”

In a statement posted on the school’s website, SAU President Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail said, “We are honored to award an honorary doctorate to Mr. Lee.” “This will serve as the launch of our new Distinguished Alumni of the year program, which will take place a couple of days before commencement.”

A couple QC artists left congratulatory comments on Coach K’s Instagram post. “Hard!! Contracts DOC,” wrote Quavo. “Congratulations coach!!!” JT added.

In addition to recognizing Coach K for his achievements, SAU also rewarded esteemed attorney Benjamin Crump with his own honorary doctorate degree.