Jamaican Olympian Shericka Jackson is one of three persons who will be conferred with an honorary degree from the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica, later this month.
Jackson will be conferred with the Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa (Hon. LLD) at the university’s graduation ceremony on November 18, “in recognition of her phenomenal achievements in sprinting and her contribution to nation building,” UTech said.
As one of Jamaica’s most acclaimed sprinters, Jackson, who competes in the 100, 200, and 400 meters, in 2022, became the fastest woman alive and the second-fastest woman of all time in the 200 meters.
Jackson closed out an equally impressive 2023 season in September with the gold double at the Diamond League: 10.70 in the 100 meters and 21.57 in the 200 meters — a new meet record.
Just a month before at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Jackson set a national record in the 200 meters with 21.41, just nearly missing the world record of 21.34 set by American Florence Griffith-Joyner. In July, she set a personal best and new world-leading time in the 100 meters with 10.65 at the National Stadium in Kingston.
Coached by Stephen Francis of the UTech, Jamaica-based MVP Track and Field Club, Jackson is currently the only athlete in World Championship history to win medals in the 100, 200, and 400 meters (and by extension, the 4×100 and 4×400 meters relays).
She is also the second athlete in history, behind Marita Koch to win medals in the 100, 200, 400, 4×100, and 4×400 meters at the World Championships and/or the Olympic Games.
Jackson is also currently a student at UTech, having commenced studies in the BSc. in Sport Science. She is also nominated for the 2023 Women’s World Athlete of the Year award.
‘Outstanding Jamaicans’ honored
The two additional recipients of honorary degrees this year are Dr. Patrick Dallas, a distinguished figure in the Chemical Engineering, Control Engineering, ICT, and Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) industries; and Richard Byles, current Governor of the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ). Dr. Dallas will be conferred with the Doctor of Technology Honoris Causa (Hon. DTech) and Byles will receive the Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa.
Commenting on the honorary degrees to be conferred, the President of UTech, Dr. Kevin Brown, said: “University of Technology, Jamaica is pleased to honor these three distinguished nation builders in recognition of their stellar contribution to Jamaica’s growth and development in the distinct areas of engineering, business, and sports.”
