Dame Susan Devoy, former world squash champion and community health advocate, will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Waikato next year.
Dame Susan, who lives in Tauranga, won the British Open Squash title eight times between 1984 and 1992, was World Champion four times, and at 34 was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand order of Merit.
University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford said Dame Susan was a very worthy recipient of an honorary doctorate.
"She has achieved in so many different areas, and displays qualities of excellence, energy and commitment and sets herself high standards - all qualities that we encourage in our students.
"She's also one of New Zealand's greatest sportswomen who happens to live and work in the University of Waikato region."
