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Janice Davis was a University of New Mexico student who lived and breathed art. She returned to school well into her adult life to immerse herself in her passion.

"It's almost as if she was coming back to her love of the arts later on in life," said Gary Cook, head of Academy Arts at UNM Taos. "She was a good example to younger students, someone coming back to work with dedication toward her degree."

Just less than half of a credit short of getting her degree, Davis, who was in her 60s, died of undetermined causes after a fall on the ice.

The university has agreed to honor Davis with a posthumous degree, given to students who die before they complete school.

UNM Board of Regents approved the posthumous degree for Davis on Thursday.

Davis was a nontraditional student majoring in university studies and art.

She moved to Taos 10 years ago from Pensacola, Fla., where she grew up.

Davis was a third of a credit short of completing her bachelor's degree when she died.

Officials from UNM Taos called Tracy Skipp, associate dean of undergraduate studies at UNM's main campus, and asked for a posthumous degree for Davis.

"We pulled up a record and saw how close she was and thought, `Oh my goodness,' " he said.

As soon as department officials heard about it, they put in a request to grant her a degree.

"It's the first time we've had a situation like this and thought something should be done," Skipp said.

UNM has been awarding posthumous degrees for several years.

Rick Holmes, administrative coordinator in the Office of the Secretary at UNM, said some of the criteria of the degree include:

The student must be in degree status and either currently enrolled or enrolled in the academic year previous to his or her death.

They must have completed a minimum of half the credits required for a degree.

The department, college and Faculty Senate must approve requests for posthumous degrees.

Davis was chosen because of her dedication and because she was so close to graduating.

"She worked hard at it (school) and put the time necessary to become an artist," said Cook. "She was a standout in terms of being an accessible, caring individual. Her classmates really liked her and were well aware of her."

Davis loved to make jewelry in her arts class and oftentimes became very immersed in her work, said Marie Claire Maurice, Davis' friend and fellow student.

"When she started concentrating, you couldn't sway her much," she said. "When she was concentrating on her jewelry-making, you try to talk to her and it's like you weren't there."

Maurice said she and Davis had much in common because they were nontraditional students. They would always talk about how important getting their degree was to them.

Maurice said she is happy her friend received recognition in Taos and will receive it in Albuquerque.

"I think she deserves it," she said. "She is very hardworking."

Taos awarded Davis a posthumous degree this year and UNM's main campus will acknowledge Davis during its graduation ceremony in May.