On 6th October 2003, the College of Geoinformatics, University of West Hungary has granted Jack Dangermond the title of doctor honoris causa. He was one of the famous Harvard Laboratory researchers, who established geoinformatics in the late 60s', the science of computer assisted spatial analysis. The candidate is the founder and president of ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute), and played an important role in the development of this professional field at the GEO College.

The work of Mr. Dangermond is acknowledged by significant prizes and awards, including the 2002 Distinguished Public Service Award from the U.S. Department of State, the 2000 LaGasse Medal of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Brock Gold Medal of the International Society for Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing, the Cullum Geographical Medal of Distinction from the American Geographical Society. He also received Honorary Membership of the Association of American Geographers (AAG).

Jack Dangermond is member of many professional organizations and has served on advisory committees for U.S. agencies including NASA's Science and Technology Advisory Committee, the EPA, the National Academy of Sciences, the National Science Foundation, and NCGIA.

Mr. Dangermond has authored hundreds of papers dealing with GIS technology. His work has been approved by honorary doctorates from the University of Redlands, Ferris State University and the City University London.

The head of college, Béla Márkus emphasized in his appreciative speech that success Mr Dangermond remained a teacher and a scholar, who clearly explains the principles and possibilities of GIS even to high school students. His personality and thoughts determine the current development directions of GIS. From the beginnings, ESRI has always paid scrupulous attention to education and course material production. ESRI’s ‘virtual campus’ is a top-ranking internet based GIS education portal. Mr. Jack Dangermond together with National Geographic took the initiation to organize GIS Day. It is celebrated in Hungary on several locations anually; the College of Geoinformatics was among the first to take over this initiative.

The honorary doctoral ceremony was lead by Prof. Dr. Sándor Faragó, Rector of the University of West Hungary. The presidium members included Prof. Dr. István Klinghammer, Rector of the Eötvös Loránd University. Following the ceremony Mr. Dangermond held a highly successful public lecture.