In recognition of his humanitarian and intellectual work, the Universidad de Especialidades Espiritu Santo awarded Jefferson the degree of Doctor, Honoris Causa. 
ECUADOR, 01/11/2007. “I feel like the richest man in the world,” said the three-time world champion race walker, Jefferson Perez, at the close of the ceremony in which he received the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa in Liberal Arts. The degree was awarded by the Universidad de Especialidades Espiritu Santo (UEES).
That night in the square of the educational institution, located on the highway to Samborondon, the native of Cuenca became the first Ecuadorian sportsman to receive a distinction of this kind.
Perez, who holds both and an undergraduate degree and a masters degree in business administration, acknowledged that receiving the degree was an indication that, “my academic preparation has just begun.”
The next step for the race walker is to acquire another masters degree, this time in Sports Management, making use of a scholarship he was recently granted by the Instituto de Empresa of Madrid.
“An awful lot still lies in the future. There is a long road ahead and I still lack years of academic preparation to achieve wisdom. This is the first step,” he added.
Before and during the ceremony held at the UEES, Perez appeared to be anxious. His entrance to the square in the midst of administrators and deans revealed a nervous and smiling sportsman.
Before taking his seat in front of the audience of 200 students and sports administrators, Jefferson received a standing ovation, which made him blush, as he acknowledged the applause with a bow.
Near the end of the ceremony, Jefferson was dressed in a long and elegant maroon toga with three stripes on both sleeves, a cap, and a white scarf (representing Liberal Arts and Letters and other liberal arts areas), then presented with the degree recognizing him as Doctor, Honoris Causa.
In the words of the rector of the UEES, Carlos Ortega, the diploma awarded to Jefferson was more than well merited. “Jefferson’s ideas have an orienting influence on Ecuadorian citizens, and he has emphasized the necessity of unity in the country.”
The vice rector, David Samaniego, indicated that the degree “is a high honor given to persons of undisputed reputation, recognized for their accomplishments and who are an example for society.”
After the ceremony Jefferson posed for photographs with dozens of students, and then toured the audiovisual lab of the university.
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