Typically, when Faith Kipyegon takes the stage, it’s to receive a medal as the Kenyan national anthem reverberates through a stadium, celebrating yet another victory.
But Thursday, November 21st, was different. The setting was the University of Eldoret’s 13th Graduation Ceremony, where the three-time Olympic champion traded her race tracks for academia, receiving an Honorary Doctor of Education Degree (Honoris Causa).
The atmosphere at the University’s Graduation Square mirrored the excitement of a stadium. Thousands of attendees erupted into cheers as Kipyegon’s name was announced. Rising gracefully, she was flanked by three professors who guided her to the dais.
The Vice Chancellor Prof Thomas Cheruiyot, delivered a citation detailing Faith’s extraordinary achievements on and off the track.
Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon awarded honorary doctorate by University of Eldoret
As he concluded, the professors adorned Kipyegon with the ceremonial academic gown. Moments later, the University Chancellor, Dr. Ismail Buro, placed the graduation cap on her head, signifying her new title.
With this conferment, Kipyegon, known globally for her athletic prowess, added "Doctor" to her growing list of titles — a fitting recognition for a champion who continues to inspire on and beyond the track.
In her acceptance speech, the three-time world champion described the moment as “Humbling “and which she will forever be grateful for.
“As the first female recipient of this honorary degree here at the University of Eldoret, I am truly grateful for this recognition," Kipyegon said.
The 1,500m world record holder, now joins the league of other top Kenyan athletes who have been awarded honorary degrees by various Universities include, two-time Olympic Champion, Eliud Kipchoge, five-time World Cross Country Champion who is the current President of the National Olympics Committee of Kenya, Paul Tergat and Legendary athlete, Kipchoge Keino.
Three-time Olympic 1,500m Champion Faith Kipyegon (centre), before she was awarded Honorary Doctor of Education Degree during the University of Eldoret's 13th graduation ceremony in Uasin Gishu County on November 21, 2024.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
Kipyegon was not only recognised for her outstanding performance on the track in the last decade but also in her effort to empower the community especially Girls and Women through her charitable activities.
“Like any other great scholar, she (Kipyegon) has supported the growth of education in Kenya, through as foundation she runs under the sponsorship of Nike. The foundation, supports girls and young mothers who are underprivileged to go back to school. Her rallying call is, 'To Empower a Woman is to Empower Humanity,' part of the citation states as read by Prof Cheruiyot.
Kipyegon, is no doubt one of the best middle-distance runners, during this year’s Olympic Games, held in Paris, she managed to defend her title for the third consecutive time as she won the record the 1,500m finals in an Olympic Record time of 3:51.29, becoming the first athlete to do so.
From running barefoot to conquering the world on the track, Kipyegon is one of the finest athletes and her exceptional performances in middle-distance races, particularly in the 1,500m, where she had numerous victories, including at the Olympic Games and World Championships has made her stand tall in her specialty.
“I know many of you can resonate with running to school barefoot during our childhood, transitioning that to a professional athlete I am today, takes discipline and determination,” Kipyegon said in her speech.
At 30 years, Kipyegon, is one of the few athletes who have been outstandingly consistent throughout her career, since she first won her median gold medal for Kenya at the 2011 World Cross Country Championships in Punta Umbria, Spain.
The mother of one credit’s her success to the great support system she enjoys right from her family to Kenyans and her fans across the world.
Her first Olympic victory was at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she won the 1500m finals, which she went ahead to defend at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games before winning once again this year.
Last year, Kipyegon broke the 1,500m record previously held by Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba of 3:50:07 after she clocked 3:49:11 at the Florence Diamond League in Italy on June 2.
A week later, she surprised the world after she once again broke the 5,000m record where she lowered Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey’s record of 14:06.62 to 14:05.20 at the Paris Diamond League in France on June 9. The record has since been broken by Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay who clocked 14:00.21 at the Eugene Diamond League.
Three-time Olympic 1,500m Champion Faith Kipyegon is awarded a Honorary Doctor of Education Degree during the University of Eldoret's 13th graduation ceremony in Uasin Gishu County on November 21, 2024.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
At the Monaco Diamond League, she added another record in her name after she broke the One Mile record clocking 4:07.64 which was previously held by Dutch’s Sifan Hassan of 4:12.33 at the same venue in 2019.
This year as she was preparing for the Olympic Games, Kipyegon managed to lower her record during the Paris Diamond League in the 1,500m race by timing 3:49.04.
She would later head to the Olympic Games where she managed to win a silver medal in the 5,000m race behind her compatriot Beatrice Chebet who bagged gold and a gold medal in the 1,500m race.
Kipyegon rose into the limelight when she represented Kenya at the World Cross Country Championships in Punta Umbria, Spain, in 2011, participating in the junior category, where she secured a gold medal.
Following this success, she went on to compete in the World Athletics Junior Championships held in Lille, France, in 2012, where she triumphed in the 1,500-meter race, earning another gold medal for her outstanding performance.
In 2012, Kipyegon competed at the Olympic Games where she finished 16th in the 1,500m race before emerging fifth at the Russia World Championships in 2013.
In 2014, she bagged gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, United Kingdom before winning a silver medal at the 2015 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China.
She triumphed at the 2016 Olympic Games winning gold before winning another gold medal at the 2017 World Athletics Championships.
At the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, Kipyegon settled for a silver medal behind Sifan Hassan before winning another gold at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
At the 2022 World Athletics Championships, she managed to reclaim her title winning gold before retaining it at the 2023 championships where she also bagged gold in the 5,000m race in Budapest, Hungary.
Three-time Olympic 1,500m Champion Faith Kipyegon (second right), after she was awarded a Honorary Doctor of Education Degree during the University of Eldoret's 13th graduation ceremony in Uasin Gishu County on November 21, 2024. She is flanked by (from left) the Director Research Development at the Ministry of Education Dr Roselinda Awuor, University of Eldoret Council Chairman Dr Ismail Buro and University of Eldoret Vice Chancellor Prof Thomas Cheruiyot.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
Last year, she was awarded Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH) by President William Ruto, during the 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations, held in Kericho County.
During Thursday's ceremony, Kipyegon was accompanied by fellow training mates, including five-time World Champion Geoffrey Kamworor, Sally Kipyego, Daniel Mateiko and coach Elijah Metto.
Also present were her family members, including her husband, Timothy Kitum, the 2012 London Olympics 800m bronze medalist, her daughter Alyn, and her parents.
