As Ken Jennings gets ready to take over as the new temporary hosts of Jeopardy!, in the wake of Alex Trebek’s passing, Ken Jennings is receiving a distinguished honor.
The 46-year-old Jennings, who has won the most money from game shows ever, was awarded the 2020 Alumnus of the Year from the Seoul Foreign School in South Korea, according to TMZ.
Jennings actually spent the bulk of his formative years in South Korea, where his parents moved from Seattle for work.
Honor: As Ken Jennings gets ready to take over as the new temporary hosts of Jeopardy!, in the wake of Alex Trebek’s passing, Ken Jennings is receiving a distinguished honor
Alumnus: The 46-year-old Jennings, who has won the most money from game shows ever, was awarded the 2020 Alumnus of the Year from the Seoul Foreign School in South Korea, according to TMZ
Formative: Jennings actually spent the bulk of his formative years in South Korea, where his parents moved from Seattle for work
As part of receiving the award, Jennings will also deliver the commencement address for the Class of 2021 in June.
The school added that the award is the highest they bestow upon their alumni, determined by, ‘excellence in their chosen field of endeavor and outstanding service to the community or profession, as well as devotion to SFS.’
Jennings attended Seoul Foreign School for most of his primary education, between grades 2 through 12, graduating from high school in 1992 at the age of 17.
Commencement: As part of receiving the award, Jennings will also deliver the commencement address for the Class of 2021 in June
‘It’s hard to overstate how my eleven years at SFS shaped me as a person, and continues to loom in my psyche,’ Jennings said in a statement.
‘I couldn’t feel more honored by this award, given my fond memories of Seoul Foreign,’ he added.
Upon returning to the United States after high school Jennings attended the University of Washington before taking two years off as a volunteer missionary for the Church of Latter-Day Saints.
Can’t overstate: ‘It’s hard to overstate how my eleven years at SFS shaped me as a person, and continues to loom in my psyche,’ Jennings said in a statement
He ultimately transferred to Brigham Young University in 1996, graduating in 2000, just four years before his iconic Jeopardy! streak began.
Jennings was billed as a ‘software engineer’ from Salt Lake City, Utah when he first appeared on the show in June 2004.
He would go on to win a whopping 74 games in a row, a feat that has not since been bested, before losing in his 75th match.
The streak: He ultimately transferred to Brigham Young University in 1996, graduating in 2000, just four years before his iconic Jeopardy! streak began
Jennings won $2,520,000 over the streak, with a total of $4.52 million in game show earnings, including $1 million for his win in The Greatest of All Time earlier this year.
After the tragic death of longtime Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek earlier this year, Jennings was named as the first of several guest hosts in 2021.
Jennings started filming his episodes in late November, with his first episode slated to air on January 11, 2021.
Greatest of All Time: Jennings won $2,520,000 over the streak, with a total of $4.52 million in game show earnings, including $1 million for his win in The Greatest of All Time earlier this year