Beasley receives an honorary doctorate

You may know George Beasley as the chairman and CEO of Naples-based Beasley Broadcast Group, the operator of 43 radio stations throughout the U.S.

But Beasley's interest has long been in education. Before he started his radio-station company in 1961, Beasley was a teacher and high school principal. While he was building his first radio station, Beasley worked until the school bell rang before heading to his new venture on evenings and weekends.

For 16 years, Beasley served on the Wayne County, N.C., board of education, including as its chairman on three separate occasions.

In May, Appalachian State University granted Beasley an honorary doctorate. The entrepreneur earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the university, which is now home to the George G. Beasley Media Complex that is scheduled to open later this year.