Three-time Olympic champion and one of the greatest female athletes of all time, Faith Kipyegon, is set to be recognized in a unique way by a top Kenyan University.
This is in recognition of Kipyegon’s commendable and outstanding performances in the world of athletics.
The University of Eldoret (UoE) in a notice on October 25 announced that it has nominated the triple Olympic champion for the award of an honorary degree in Education.
Honorary degrees (usually, though not always, doctorates) are awarded by universities to recognize outstanding achievement in a particular field, or service to the broader community. This means no degree is actually undertaken, but the nominee receives the distinction in name anyway.
A committee, usually including members of the university’s senior executive, representatives of the university council and professors, receives nominations and determines which will be approved.
“The University of Eldoret has nominated Faith Chepn’getich Kipyegon for the award of Honorary Doctorate in Education. Ms. Kipyegon is an accomplished middle- and long-distance runner and is the reigning 1,500 meter and Mile World Record holder,” the notice reads.
Universities choose to associate themselves with exceptional individuals in the community through the awarding of honorary doctorates.
Faith Kipyegon nominated for honorary degree
The higher learning institutions gain a number of benefits from conferring honorary doctorates.
On the other hand, the acceptance of an honorary degree by an exceptionally distinguished person often generates publicity and brings “reflected glory” on the university.
Also Read: Kenyan University Honors Kipchoge in a Special Way
Kipyegon will be conferred with the honorary degree of the official conferment ceremony scheduled to take place during the 13th UoE Graduation Ceremony on November 21.
The world 1500m women record holder’s most notable feat was becoming the first athlete to be a three-time Olympic champion as she won three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 1500 meters women’s race, that is in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 Olympics.
During the 2023 season, Faith set World Records in the 1,500 meters and the Mile within 49 days.
The nomination for the honorary degree comes barely a week after Kipyegon was nominated for the World Athlete of the Year 2024.
World Athletics nomination
The World Athletics nominated Faith Kipyegon alongside Kenyan athletes Beatrice Chebet and Emmanuel Wanyonyi for the Track Athlete of the year Awards.
Also Read: Millions Pocketed by Faith Kipyegon in Exclusive New York Race
World Athletics noted that the voting process shall close on Sunday, October 27 at midnight as per the Central European Summer Time (CEST).
“The vote to determine the Track Athlete of the Year finalists is now open on World Athletics social media platforms. It will close on 27 October,” World Athletics announced in a statement.
At the same time, the statement elaborated, “Given the higher number of disciplines on the track, there are six nominees for this category, though – as with the other categories – there will be just two finalists.”
Her nomination by World Athletics came after she was awarded by the Academy of Achievement in the United States of America, alongside Beatrice Chebet.
The two were awarded during the Dinner of the Golden Plate Award ceremony at the Lincoln Centre Plaza, New York attended by President William Ruto.
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