Congratulations to the Class of 2023!
Celebrate our graduating class with us as we highlight this year's award winners, some of the great things our seniors have done while at SCU, as well as some of their post-graduation plans.
University Awards
Valedictorian
Conferred annually on a graduating senior selected for outstanding academic achievement and University service.
![SCU President Julie Sullivan and Class of 2023 Valedictorian Angel Lin](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/class-of-2023/angel-lin-600x600.png)
Angel Lin
Ethnic Studies, Sociology majors
St. Clare Medal
Presented to the female graduate judged outstanding in academic performance, personal character, school activities, and constructive contribution to the University.
![Julie Sullivan and Class of 2023 St Clare Medal winner Judith Li](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/class-of-2023/judith-li-600x600.png)
Judith Li
Economics, Sociology majors // Sustainability, Environmental Studies minors
Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J. Award
Given to a graduating senior who exemplifies the ideals of Jesuit education, especially being a "whole person of solidarity in the real world" and having the courage and faith to build a more just and humane world.
![SCU President Julie Sullivan and Class of 2023 Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J. Award winner Jessica Cuellar](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/class-of-2023/jessica-cuellar.png)
Jessica Cuellar
Sociology major
Richard J. Riordan Award
In recognition of their outstanding contributions in the area of community service.
Briana Bravo
Child Studies major // Urban Education, Spanish Studies minors
![SCU President Julie Sullivan and Class of 2023 Richard J. Riordan Award winner Juliet Kulusic](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/class-of-2023/juliet-kulusic-600x600.png)
Juliet Kulusic
Psychology, Theatre Arts majors
![SCU President Julie Sullivan and Class of 2023 Richard J. Riordan Award winner Grace Leete](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/class-of-2023/grace-leete-600x600.png)
Grace Leete
Sociology, Child Studies majors // Urban Education minor
Student Life Award
To recognize their contributions to the overall quality of life in the University community.
![SCU President Julie Sullivan and Class of 2023 Student Life Award winners Hannah Edwards, Kevin Ham, Anna Murrin, Ariel Perlman](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/class-of-2023/Student-Life-Award-1000x800.png)
SCU President Julie Sullivan, Hannah Edwards, Kevin Ham (Leavey School of Business), Anna Murrin, Ariel Perlman
Hannah Edwards
Psychology, Women's & Gender Studies majors
Anna Murrin
Public Health Science major // Sociology, Biology minors
Ariel Perlman
Political Science, Philosophy majors
The Gracelyn Rillorta Bateman Award for Inclusive Excellence
Awarded to a student(s) or student organization that has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing an inclusive environment at SCU.
![SCU President Julie Sullivan and Class of 2023 Bateman Award for Inclusive Excellence winners Kaylen Chase, Cole Brunelli, Grace Evans, Taylor Kealoha](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/class-of-2023/bateman-award-winners-group-1000x800.png)
SCU President Julie Sullivan, Kaylen Chase, Cole Brunelli, Grace Evans, Taylor Kealoha
Cole Brunelli
Economics major // Real Estate minor
Kaylen Chase
Political Science, Economics majors // Spanish Studies minor
Grace Evans
Political Science, Ethnic Studies majors // African American Studies, Journalism minors
Taylor Kealoha
Marketing, Psychology majors
Neider Family Alumni Service Award
Provides financial support to seniors who are leaving SCU and going directly into a service program or project.
![SCU President Julie Sullivan and Class of 2023 Neider Family Alumni Service Award winner Catherine Cunha](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/class-of-2023/catherine-cunha-600x600.png)
Catherine Cunha
Political Science major // Women's & Gender Studies minor
![SCU President Julie Sullivan and Class of 2023 Neider Family Alumni Service Award winner Alexandria Perez](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/class-of-2023/alexandria-perez-600x600.png)
Alexandria Perez
Public Health Science, Political Science, WGST majors
College of Arts and Sciences Awards
Hoefer Prize
The Hoefer Prize for Excellence in Undergraduate Writing recognizes outstanding undergraduate writing achievement in three categories that alternate yearly: Student Research Paper, Student-Faculty Member Co-Authored Paper or Research Project, and Student Essay.
Student Research Essay
![Rob Wohl](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/class-of-2023/Rob-Hoefer-2023-1160x1160.jpg)
Emil Robert Wohl
History, Political Science majors // Philosophy minor
Student-Faculty Jointly-authored Essay
![Ana Martinez](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/class-of-2023/Ana_Martinez_Resized-600x600.png)
Ana Martinez
Sociology major // Sustainability, Economics minors
Orella Prize
Established in 1915 by Dr. and Mrs. Fermín R. Orella B.S. 1889, this prize is awarded to the senior science student who attains the highest average in scientific subjects during the junior and senior years.
![Emma Riley Fink](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/class-of-2023/riley-fink-600x600.jpg)
Emma Riley Fink
Mathematics major
Gerald and Sally DeNardo Senior Prize
Established in 2007 to complement the Gerald and Sally DeNardo Lectureship, this prize is given by the Dean to recognize outstanding science research accomplishment by a graduating senior(s) who reflects the distinctive characteristics of a Jesuit education and is pursuing a career in the health sciences.
![Lani Krossa](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/denardo/lani-krossa-500x500.png)
![Erica Svendahl '23 DeNardo Senior Prize winner](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/denardo/erica-swendahl-500x500.png)
Erica Svendahl
Chemistry and Environmental Science double major
Mentored by Korin Wheeler, Chemistry & Biochemistry
College of Arts and Sciences Department Awards
Senior Spotlights
Artistic Accomplishments
![panel of three paintings](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/college-notes-22-23/2023-Senior-Studio-Art-Show-800x450.png)
Explore senior art work displayed in the Dowd Gallery through June 16.
![Ad fpr Miguel Menchaca senior recital](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/class-of-2023/miguel-menchaca-800x451.png)
Seniors Miguel Menchata (Psychology, Music), Wylie Merritt (Studio Art, Communication) and CJ Purdy (Communication), Cathy Yin (Electrical and Computer Engineering), and Enzo Suarez (Music) held recitals to showcase their culminating work.
![3 female dancers standing and 4 female dancers kneeling](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/class-of-2023/FDcindy-800x450.png)
See photos from the Fall Dance Festival featuring the work of seniors Emma Rutter (Neuroscience, Theatre Arts), Cindy Chen (Theatre Arts, Biology), and Ashley Cook (Theatre Arts, Communication).
![5 female dancers in black tops and maroon pants](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/class-of-2023/SDsarah-800x450.png)
See photos from the Spring Dance Festival featuring the work of seniors Claire Long (Biology, Theatre Arts) and Sarah Sporn (Communication, Theatre Arts).
Class Stories
![Gianella Ordonez](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/political-science/news/GianellaOrdonez-710x533.png)
From the Miller Center to Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office, this LEAD Scholar is making a difference—both near and far
![Jordan Tachibana in front of American flag signed by Japanese internment survivors.](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/political-science/news/MM_Jordan_Tachibana_20230331_JG_04-1100x695-927x695.jpeg)
How Santa Clara prepared her to turn her passion into actionable change
![Hands holding a book under the SCU wisteria trellis.](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/history/stories/HistoricalPerspectivesFeature-800x600.png)
SCU’s “Historical Perspectives” has won the nation’s top undergraduate history journal prize two years in a row. Is a third win around the corner?
![Ameha Teshome. Photo by Jim Gensheimer](/media/college-of-arts-and-sciences/math-and-cs/stories/Ameha_Teshome-884x663.jpg)
Ameha Teshome ’23 came to Santa Clara to learn about data science, but says he learned even more about community.
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