Congratulations to the Class of 2021!

Outstanding Achievement in Anthropology: Riley Scherr

This prize is given to a senior anthropology major who has done outstanding work in anthropological research.

Anthropology Paper Prize: Riley Scherr, Briana Reynolds, Emily Chung (Honorable Mention)

This award is given annually to one or more Anthropology students whose written work is judged to be the highest quality among those submitted for Anthropology courses in a given academic year.

Father Beuchel, S.J. Award: Trizha Aquino

This award is given annually to one or more Anthropology students who have exemplified SCU's values in the realm of community engagement and service to underserved communities.

Art History Research Paper Prize: Victoria Russo

This award is given for sustained excellence in art history, culminating in a Capstone or thesis project.

American Chemical Society Award in Inorganic Chemistry: Christopher Tak

Sponsored by the American Chemical Society Division of Inorganic Chemistry; awarded to an undergraduate student who has demonstrated excellence in inorganic chemistry and whose future plans include a career in chemistry. The award consists of a personalized certificate and a letter of commendation.

American Chemical Society Award in Physical Chemistry: Ayush Kris

Sponsored by the American Chemical Society Division of Physical Chemistry; awarded to an undergraduate student who has demonstrated excellence in physical chemistry based on research and coursework. The awardee will receive an official certificate from the ACS Division of Physical Chemistry, recognition on their website and a one-year membership in the ACS Division of Physical Chemistry.

American Institute of Chemists Foundation Award: Chandler Dobson

Awarded to an outstanding senior chemistry major in recognition of a record of leadership, ability, character, and scholastic achievement.

Analytical Chemistry Award: Chandler Dobson

Awarded to a graduating senior in chemistry or biochemistry who has demonstrated passion for and excellence in analytical chemistry, based on some combination of coursework and research experience.

American Chemical Society Division of Organic Chemistry: Jose Moreno

Sponsored by the American Chemical Society Division of Organic Chemistry; award led to a graduating senior in chemistry or biochemistry who has demonstrated excellence in organic chemistry based on a combination of research experience, coursework and a desire to pursue a career in chemistry.

John Gilbert and Stephen Martin Award in Organic Chemistry: Michelle Nguyen

Awarded to a senior chemistry or biochemistry major for outstanding performance in organic chemistry courses and/or research.

Professor Joseph F. Deck Award: Alia Rubaie, Nour Fezzani

Established in 1973, this award is given by the faculty of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry to the outstanding student majoring in chemistry who has excelled in studies and undergraduate research, extracurricular activities, leadership, and generous tutoring of fellow students, while maintaining a "B" average.

Child Advocacy Award: Anna Penrose

Established in 2014, this award is given to a graduating senior by the faculty of the Child Studies program who has exemplified Jesuit values of "Competence, Conscience, and Compassion" in service of children and families.

Child Studies Academic Achievement Award: Gabrielle Benson

Established in 1995, this award is given to the senior child studies major with the highest overall grade point average at Santa Clara.

Pre-Teaching Award: Katherine Kuwada

Established in 1995, this award is given to a senior child studies student judged most outstanding in scholarship and professional service who plans to go on to a career in elementary school teaching.

Walter J. Kropp Prize: Abigail Nairn

Established in 1997 in memory of Walter J. Kropp, S.J., by the faculty of the Department of Classics, this award is given to the senior classics major who has attained the highest grade point average in classics courses.

The Augusta Prize: Grace Emmons, Brendan Webb

Established in 2013 in honor of Helen E. Moritz, Professor Emerita, by the faculty of the Department of Classics, this award is given to the most promising Greek student who continues from introductory into advanced Greek the following fall quarter. The award may take the form of a large Greek dictionary, textbooks, or other appropriate support for the continuing study of the Greek language.

Communication Department Prize Award: Ciara Moezidis

The Communication Department Prize is an annual award for the graduating senior who best meets the goals of the department based on academic achievement, collaboration with students and faculty, and a commitment to ethical communication. Alumni and friends of the department established the prize in 1986.

The Justin T. McCarthy Award: Sahale Greenwood (Journalism), Kyle De La Fuente (Film), Ann Codiga (Voice)

This award is given in memory of Justin T. McCarthy to the senior students who have excelled in oratory and developed the ability to express themselves in a given medium.

The Chair's Award: Jessica Hilger

Awarded to the graduating senior who embodies the essential spirit of the Communication Department with her courage, intellect and creativity.

Handlery Prize: Lacey Yahnke

Established in 1947 by Rose Handlery in memory of her son, Raymond Handlery '34, this prize is awarded each year to the graduating senior who has contributed most to the success of student publications at the University.

Hazel Award: Christian Phillips

The Charles and Barbara Hazel Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Economics is awarded annually to the graduating senior (or seniors) who have achieved superior academic performance as economics majors.

Christiaan Theodoor Lievestro Prize: Nathan Barnes

The prize is awarded to the English major whose Lievestro Prize Portfolio of essays best demonstrates a sustained, improved, and/or versatile ability to think and write about complex literary critical, cultural, rhetorical, or theoretical issues.

Katherine Woodall Prize: Jessica Joudy, Felicia Jarrin, Alexa Alfano (Honorable Mention)

The prize is designed to acknowledge excellent essays that analyze and/or interpret one or more literary texts or that examine issues in literary criticism or theory.

McCann Short Story Prize: Eric Bressinger

The award is given to undergraduate for an unpublished short story under 20 pages.

Tamara Verga Prize: Jaden Fong

This price is given to SCU undergraduate students for an individual poem or group of poems.

Shipsey Poetry Prize: Nate Metz, Jessica Joudy, Riley Scherr

This price is given to SCU undergraduate students for an individual poem or group of poems.

Multimodal Writing Prize: Alexa Alfano

Multimodal writing projects use text in combination with visual and/or auditory tools to craft compelling and engaging arguments, meditations, essays, critical analyses, research projects, and more. Multimodal Projects take many forms including, blogs and websites, podcasts, videos, audio interviews, collages, storyboards, etc.

The Lucky Hinckle Award: Julia Jenak

This award was established to honor the memory of Lucky Hinkle, longtime University staff member who worked diligently to promote recycling on campus, and is given to the graduating senior with a declared major in environmental science or environmental studies who, in the judgment of the environmental studies and science faculty, has made the most significant contribution to promoting a culture of sustainability at Santa Clara University and beyond.

Environmental Studies Research Award: Meghan Adams, Alex Varni, Kayleigh Limbach, Lilah Foster

This award is given to the senior environmental studies major who, in the judgment of the Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences faculty, has done the most outstanding work in environmental studies research.

ESS Justice Award: Chloe Gentile-Montgomery

To be awarded to the ESS student from either major who best promotes the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the environmental field, through community or research work that promotes environmental justice and/or expands the participation of underrepresented groups in environmental stewardship.

The Matt Meier Prize for Excellence in Student Research: Kimberly Fernandez Pedraza

Established in 1994 in honor of History Professor Matt Meier, a longtime supporter of the Ethnic Studies Department and one of the principal figures in the fields of Mexican American history and Chicana/o/x Studies, this award is given to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in the production of original academic work centered on issues of race and ethnicity.

Ramón Chacón Community Service Award: Chloe Gentile Montgomery, Erin Malcolm, Blanca Moncada

Established in 2016 in honor of Dr. Ramón Chacón, one of the founding members of the Ethnic Studies Department at Santa Clara, this award is given to a graduating senior with a declared major in Ethnic Studies who has demonstrated sustained and substantive work with marginalized communities, either through Santa Clara University or outside of the institution.

McPhee Prize: Brandon Schultz

Established in 2007 through the generosity of Lulu and John McPhee, this award is given to the student whose sustained achievement in history includes writing the most outstanding paper in a senior seminar.

Mehl Prize: Brandon Schultz, Tegan Smith

An annual prize established in 1993 by the department in memory of friend and benefactor Frederick J. Mehl '74, M.A. '75, this award is given to the student who writes the best senior thesis as determined by the faculty of the Department of History.

Robert P. Balles Mathematics Scholar: Cozmo Smith

An annual prize of a minimum of $1,000 is awarded to the Mathematics major entering his/her Senior year with the highest cumulative GPA in Mathematics courses completed in the student’s first three years at Santa Clara University, as determined by the Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

The George W. Evans II Prize for Success on the Putnam Competition: Pratul Saini, Shaunak Mashalkar (Honorable Mention)

Established in 1972 by the family and friends of the late George W. Evans II, professor of mathematics at Santa Clara University, these awards are given to the student(s) placing highest in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition.

The George W. Evans II Memorial Prize for Excellence in Mathematical Writing and Research: Alissa LaFerriere (Second Place)

First awarded in 1980, this was founded by the family and friends of the late Dr. George W. Evans II (who taught at SCU from 1966 to his death in 1972). It is given to the student(s) considered to have excelled in research during his or her undergraduate career. This prize is not awarded every year.

The Paul R. Halmos Prize in Mathematics: Shaunak Mashalkar, Drew Ligman (Honorable Mention), Tate Calem (Honorable Mention)

This prize is awarded to the senior student or students with an outstanding academic record judged to have distinguished themselves in mathematics or computer science beyond the standard course work.

Darin-Butz Fellowship: Alissa LaFerriere

The fund shall be used to establish a scholarship for female undergraduates who are mathematics and computer science students enrolled in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Santa Clara University. The scholarship recipient shall be a top female student, entering her sophomore through senior year, who has elected Mathematics or Computer Science as her course of study. Must have clear, demonstrated leadership through activities related to her academic field with above average grades. The scholarship recipient must be a United States citizen. The Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, or designee, shall determine the recipient and timing of the annual scholarship to be awarded, subject to the approval of the appropriate University officials.

The Distinguished Military Graduate Award: Julianna Bernado, Christopher Tian

Given to those graduating Army ROTC cadets who rank in the top 20 percent of all cadets nationally as determined by academic GPA and performance in the Army ROTC program.

The George C. Marshall ROTC Award: Julianna Bernado

Established by the Department of the Army at Santa Clara in 1977, this award is given by the faculty of the Department of Military Science to the cadet judged most outstanding in military studies and leadership.

The Superior Cadet Award: Antonio Lorenzo

Established by the Department of the Army at Santa Clara in 1958, these ribbons are given by the faculty of the Department of Military Science to the cadet in each of the four years of training who consistently demonstrates potential qualities of an officer, outstanding performance of duty, and overall proficiency.

The French and Francophone Studies Prize: Catherine Golinvaux

Established in 2012, this prize is given to a graduating senior with a declared major in French and Francophone studies who has shown academic excellence in the study of French and Francophone language, literature, and culture.

Geoff and Josie Fox German Studies Award: Anne-Claire Tandé

This award is given to cultivate and encourage students to learn the German language and to familiarize themselves with the German culture. Preference is given to students who have shown a consistent interest in German culture; who have an understanding of the experience, values, and traditions of Germanic speaking countries; and who have declared a major in German.

Pancrazio and Giulia Infantino Italian Award: Gabriella Ballardo

This award is given to cultivate and encourage the pursuit of the Italian language and culture at Santa Clara University. It is given to graduating seniors who have an understanding of the experiences, values, and traditions of Italian culture, primarily demonstrated by a declared major in Italian.

Celeste Fritchle Award: Kenneth Gabel

Established in 2003 by the friends and family of the late Celeste Fritchle, a longtime University staff member, this award is given by the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures to a graduating senior student with a declared major in modern languages and literatures who has excelled in the study of more than one foreign language.

Richard F. Rebello Phi Sigma Iota Awards: Grace Lin-Cereghino (Italian Studies), Claire Thoms (French and Francophone Studies), Madeleine Doyle (Spanish Studies)

Established in 1986 by the family of the late Richard Rebello, a longtime University staff member, these awards are given by the Modern Languages and Literatures Department to senior language majors for outstanding accomplishments in the study of foreign languages and cultures.

Arrigo and Caterina Descalzi Prize: Michael Noonan

Established in 1990 in honor of Arrigo and Caterina Descalzi, this award is presented to the senior music student who, in the judgment of the faculty of the Department of Music, best demonstrates technical and artistic growth and dedication to the art of music.

American Choral Directors Association National Choral Student Award: Hayden Gibb

Established in 1990 in honor of Arrigo and Caterina Descalzi, this award is presented to the senior music student who, in the judgment of the faculty of the Department of Music, best demonstrates technical and artistic growth and dedication to the art of music.

Sourisseau Award: Tanvi Antoo

Founded by Miss Eva Sourisseau in honor of her parents and family and recognized outstanding achievement in the study of philosophy. Given each year to a Senior Philosophy major demonstrating outstanding achievement in the study of philosophy.

David Blockus Award: Rob Stallman

Established in 2007 in memory of David L. Blockus, Ph.D., this prize is presented each year to the outstanding senior physics major, as determined by the faculty of the Department of Physics.

John B. Drahmann Prize in Physics: Pratul Saini

Established in memoriam in 2001 by Jean Drahmann, this prize is awarded to the graduating senior physics major who best exemplifies the hard-working and earnest values of John B. Drahmann, longtime dean of sciences and professor of physics.

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Michael Shallo, S.J., Prize: Alexandra George

Established by the University in 1955 in honor of Michael Shallo, S.J., the Shallo Prize is given by the faculty of the Department of Political Science to the student(s) judged most proficient in political science.

Amos Dana Award for Distinction in Public Service: Ciara Moezidis

This award is named for our late colleague, Amos Leon Dana, a Santa Clara alumnus (Class of 1962) who served 36 years as a probation officer, retiring in 1999 as deputy chief probation officer of San Mateo County. For twenty years, Amos also taught a course in Criminal Justice in our department. In his honor, this award recognizes excellent performance and personal growth through hands-on public sector experience; potential for success in a career or studies in the public sector; and/or outstanding research related to a public sector project.

Bernard L. Kronick Award: Maria Parker (Political Philosophy), Katherine Popeo (Comparative Politics), Maria Gregg (International Relations), Benjamin Grundy (American Politics), Haley Howard (American Politics)

The Political Science Department honors student research and writing with the Bernard L. Kronick Award. Established in 1986, this award is named in honor of Barney Kronick, who taught Comparative Politics for nearly 30 years and who served multiple terms as department chair.

Wilhelm Wundt Award: Sofia Sandoval Larco, Natalie Rovero

Award for excellence in academics, research, & service. Established in 1988, this award is given annually by the faculty of the Department of Psychology to the senior student/s who has excelled in scholarship, research, and service to the department.

Eleanor Willemsen Award: Meg Richter, Georgina Chavez

Established in 2019 in honor of Eleanor Willemsen, Professor emeritus and child advocate, this award is given to a psychology major who has demonstrated a dedication to community service within Santa Clara University or outside of the institution.

Research Award: Gabi Benson, Lindsay Baerg, Sara Rabinowitz

Academic Award: Pearl Heumann, Mika Brown, Lilia Soth, Brihana Jackson, Emily Eudy

Department Service Award: Emi Hartman

Public Health Senior Scholar: Hannah Rubens

This award is given annually to a graduating senior Public Health Science major who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, while actively and effectively promoting community health through extracurricular activities.

Community Engagement Award: Grace Lin-Cereghino

This award is given annually to a graduating senior Public Health Science major who has exemplified the principles and practices of health equity and social justice through applied community engagement.

Religious Studies Major Prize: Alina Pincombe and Olivia Hill

Established in 1950 by the president of the University, this prize is given each year by the faculty of the Department of Religious Studies to the department major most proficient in all aspects of religious studies.

Tennant C Wright, S.J., Minor Prize: Kristen Lee, Mary Maas, and Lauren Schiek

Established in 2003, this prize is given annually by the faculty of the Department of Religious Studies to the religious studies minor most proficient in the religious studies program.

Theodore Mackin Senior Thesis Award: Kelby Uebelhor

Established in 1994 in memory of Theodore Mackin, this prize is given each year by the faculty of the Department of Religious Studies to the religious studies major with the best senior research paper.

The Joseph A. Grassi Social Justice Award: Gina Chavez, Abby Fafinski, Haley Howard, and Tegan Smith

Established in 2003, this award is given annually to the student who has exhibited the greatest commitment to social justice.

Witold Krassowski Sociology Award: Jessica Britt (First Prize), Vas Kumar (Second Prize)

Established by the department, alumni, and friends in honor of Professor Witold Krassowski, the first sociologist at Santa Clara University and the first chair of the department, this award is given to a senior sociology major who has written a sociological research paper in a sociology course that is considered of exemplary quality.

Sociology Alumni Award: Elvena Gevargiz and Anjali Rangaswami (First Prize), Madison Perna (Second Prize)

Established in 2016, this prize is given annually by the faculty of the Department of Sociology to a graduating senior for excellence in applied sociological research.

Sociology Academic Excellence Award: Jessica Britt, Elena Gajewski-Nemes, Maria Gregg, Alexa Williams

Established by the department, alumni, and friends in honor of Professor Witold Krassowski, the first sociologist at Santa Clara University and the first chair of the department, this award is given to a senior sociology major who has written a sociological research paper in a sociology course that is considered of exemplary quality.

William H. Leahy Prize: Lucinda Gilbert

Established in 1925 in honor of William H. Leahy by his wife and his brother, James, this prize is awarded to the graduating senior who has made the greatest contribution to dramatic art at Santa Clara as determined by the members of the Department of Theatre and Dance.

Anna Halprin Dance Award: Abigail Nairn

This award honors the extended creative and socially active career of Anna Halprin, a pioneer in the art of dance. This award is given to the graduating senior dancer who best exemplifies excellence in dance and an awareness of community values while at Santa Clara University.

Charles Lampkin Award for Performance: Isaac Addai

This annual award, established in 1989 in honor of Charles Lampkin, the late actor and University artist-in-residence, is given to the junior or senior African-American student who has demonstrated excellence and commitment to performance in theatre, music, dance, or television.

Audre Lorde Social Justice Award: Sean Scanlon, Mallika Yeleswarapu

The Audre Lorde Social Justice Award recognizes graduating seniors who exemplify the activist ideals of women's and gender studies.

Mary Gordon Prize: Tegan Smith

Established in 1992 in honor of Professor Mary Gordon, founder of the Women's Studies Program and its first director, this prize is awarded to the Women's and Gender Studies Department student who writes the best essay on a women's or gender studies topic.