One of the greatest marathon runners of all time, Eliud Kipchoge is set to be recognized in a unique way by a top Kenyan University.
This is in recognition of his commendable and outstanding philanthropic and humanitarian contributions to humanity.
The Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) announced that it will confer the marathon legend with an honorary degree.
“Eliud will be conferred with the prestigious honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa).
This honor is in recognition of his outstanding and commendable humanitarian and philanthropic contributions to humanity,” announced JKUAT.
Notably, an Honoris Causa is a type of honor, especially of a degree, awarded without examination as a mark of esteem.
“Widely regarded as the world’s greatest marathoner, Eliud Kipchoge has met the requirements by the Honorary Degrees Committee, University Senate, and Council for the award of the degree,” JKUAT explained.
According to the National Library of Medicine, a real Doctor of Humane Letters from an institution such as JKUAT recognizes significant societal contributions.
Notable honors that Kipchoge has received
Kipchoge recently received the Princess of Asturias Award in October 2023.
“The award fulfills me with honor, as it’s an acknowledgement for something that I’ve believed in thoroughly throughout my career,” he noted.
Notably in December 2019, Kipchoge received an accolade from The University of Exeter as he was bestowed with an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Steve Smith noted, “It gives me great pleasure to inform you that the Council and Senate of the University of Exeter would like to recognize your outstanding achievements in the field of sport by conferring upon you an Honorary Doctorate of Laws.”
Kipchoge is widely considered as the greatest marathoner in the world, is a two-time Olympic Champion.
Additionally, Eliud has won the Berlin Marathon on five occasions, achieving the recently in the September 2023 BMW Berlin Marathon.
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In October 2019, former President Uhuru Kenyatta honoured Kipchoge with the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H) award.
President Kenyatta awarded the legend with Kenya’s second highest honor barely two weeks after he made history in Vienna.
Notably, the legend was honored by being the first human to run a marathon in under 2 hours in the INEOS Challenge.
“Eliud who is alive and here with us has also inspired the world that no human effort is futile, that we can dream and make our dreams a possibility,” President Kenyatta added.
Other recognitions
In October 2023, US-based apparel company Nike unveiled a statue of Kenyan marathon great Eliud Kipchoge at its headquarters in Oregon.
In addition to the statue, Nike also renamed a track at its European Headquarters after the eleven-time Major Marathon winner.
Kipchoge welcomed Nike’s efforts to honor his legacy as marathon great as he recounted the journey since signing a deal with Nike back in 2003.
Nevertheless, the Uasin Gishu County government announced that it would celebrate its hometown hero in a grand way by naming a street in Eldoret town after the legendary marathon runner.
“This move comes in recognition of Kipchoge’s outstanding achievements and unwavering commitment to elevating Kenya’s reputation on the global stage through athletics.
In his respect, we as the Uasin Gishu county government will name one street after him in Eldoret town.
We are celebrating him a lot and congratulations to him,” said the overjoyed governor.
Also Read: Eliud Kipchoge to be Honored with a Street Dedication
Honorary Degree
The 2023 Berlin Marathon winner will be conferred with the honorary degree of the official conferment ceremony is scheduled to take place during the 41st JKUAT Graduation Ceremony on December 1st, 2023, at the Graduation Square, Juja Main Campus, starting at 8:00a.m.
JKUAT further added, “We look forward to honoring Eliud Kipchoge and recognizing his exceptional contributions to humanity.”
Other notable figures to have been conferred with the honorary degree from JKUAT include former first lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta.
The institution conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Science in Entrepreneurship (Honoris Causa) to Mama Ngina in July 2015.
Mama Ngina was among over four thousand granddads during JKUAT’s 25th graduation ceremony presided over by the Chancellor, Prof. Geoffrey Ole Maloiy.
