The award will be presented at HPU's 68th commencement ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, at the Waikiki Shell.

Jim Nabors' unique career has included all aspects of the entertainment industry and earned him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991, according to the news release. He is perhaps best known for his loveable, often-bumbling character "Gomer Pyle" from The Andy Griffith Show and Gomer Pyle USMC. He later hosted the variety show, The Jim Nabors Hour. Due to the success of Gomer Pyle, USMC and his strong support of the U.S. military, Nabors was made an Honorary Marine and promoted to Honorary Lance Corporal in 2001. In 2007, he was promoted to Honorary Corporal. In addition, Nabors' home state of Alabama has renamed U.S. Highway 280 the "Jim Nabors Highway."

Nabors has recorded 28 albums and numerous singles, and has garnered five gold records and one platinum record. He has starred in numerous stage revues in Honolulu and Las Vegas. Among many singing appearances, he has sung "Back Home Again in Indiana" for more than 30 years prior to each Indianapolis 500 race, earning him the rank of an honorary Hoosier, even though he does not live in Indiana. He has sung with local artists including Karen Keawehawai'i and Emma Veary and has performed with the Honolulu Symphony. Nabors also headlined A Merry Christmas with Friends and Nabors at the Hawai'i Theatre for many years.

Nabors gives freely of his time, energy, and talent to various community and charitable groups, and his easy-going personality makes him a hit with all age groups.