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.
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.
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.
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
Juliet Kulusic
Psychology, Theatre Arts majors
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.
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.
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.
Catherine Cunha
Political Science major // Women's & Gender Studies minor
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
Emil Robert Wohl
History, Political Science majors // Philosophy minor
Student-Faculty Jointly-authored Essay
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
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.
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
Explore senior artwork displayed in the Dowd Gallery through June 16.
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.
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).
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
From the Miller Center to Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office, this LEAD Scholar is making a difference—both near and far
How Santa Clara prepared her to turn her passion into actionable change
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 ’23 came to Santa Clara to learn about data science, but says he learned even more about community.
- More pages: