2026 Senior Distinguished Awards Convocation Honorees

At the Senior Distinguished Awards Convocation, the University of Pittsburgh gathers to pay tribute to the outstanding graduating students who have distinguished themselves through academics, service and leadership.

Awards and Honors

Click gray bar to view awardees for each category below.

The Bachelor of Philosophy Degree (BPhil)

The Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil) degree is one of the most prestigious undergraduate qualifications available anywhere in the world. The BPhil degree requires students to complete a rigorous curriculum combined with independent research to create an academic experience involving breadth and depth.

Mercy Akanmu
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Briana Bindus
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Emma Bocquillon
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Maggie Breault
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Grace Carr
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Arushi Chamaria
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Sarayu Cheemalapati
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Esther Choi
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Justin Crookston
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Ethan Crosby
School of Computing and Information

Aanika Das
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Sanjana Das
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Ryan DiLello
School of Nursing

Lily Dunne
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Hanna Enos
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Dina Etkin
School of Nursing

Isabella Falo
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Jocelyn Fernandez
School of Nursing

Sydney Fiore
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Hunter Foster
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Isabel Gehring
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Yasmin Ghaffari
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Rebecca Gips
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Claire (Kyr) Goyette
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

César Guerra-Solano
School of Computing and Information

Akash Gundagathi
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Caroline Guo
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Colin Henchy
Swanson School of Engineering

Taavi Herzog
School of Business

Natalie Hrytsay
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Ilana Kersh
School of Public Health

Marina Kobozeva
School of Nursing

Megan Kuhn
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Naama Machol
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Sruthi Malineni
School of Computing and Information

Madeleine Manno
School of Education

Madison Martin
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Madison McCray
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Neila McElfresh
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Rhheaa Mehta
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Abigale Morgan
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Rebecca Pitcairn
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Sophia Pollex
School of Nursing

Olivia (Azriel) Pollock
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Caleigh Powell
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Emma Quick
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Karl Rennick-Zuefle
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Owen Richardson
Swanson School of Engineering

Yavna Sakthi
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Isabella Sanders
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Jenna Simmons
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Trevor Staab
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Michelle Star
School of Computing and Information

Leah Stone
School of Nursing

Matthew Tang
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Cameran Thompson
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Joaquin Tristan
Swanson School of Engineering

Tyler Weinberger
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Ryan Willis
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Chloe Woodruff
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Stephanie Yau
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Annetta Yuwono
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Jesse Zhang
Swanson School of Engineering

University Scholars

The title of University Scholar is awarded to students that have distinguished themselves by achieving a cumulative grade point average that ranks in the top 2% of their peers within their primary school of affiliation.

Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Henryque Alles Diehl
Lane Aubart
Malak Ayoub
Owen Bauer
Cole Belling
Liam Beresteanu
Rachael Betz
Cora A Branch
John William Brown
Isabella Canals
Jordan Nicola Carlucci
Jessica Condon
Elizabeth Conroy
Kayden Costantino
Sophia Dallas
Julia R Feibusch
Jenna Gallentine
Ishita Gandhi
Joseph Garzia
Yasmin Ghaffari
Mora Ashraf Ayad Ghattes
Anika Ghosh
Clara Gilles
Jordan Maria Glunt
Liam D Goodrich
Zachary Gordon
Caroline Guo
Alyssa Paige Hillwig
John Holiat
Elizabeth Hudak
Ariana Jou
Judah Gillman Kass
Raafay Khan-Afridi
Travis Larson
Siming Lin
Andrew Lindros
Benno Loeb
Ricardo Madril
Benjamin Marks
Leigh Marks
Victoria Mistretta
Jessica Moore
Kathryn Hope Mott
Madison Chloe Mubel
Uma Muzumdar
Nasrin Nahnooch
Emma Nasuti
Prabhgun Oberoi
Zachary Oswalt
Tanisha Pagadala
James Paul
Ilias Phanzu
Olivia Pinocci-Wrightsman
Katelyn Pisani
Samantha Podnar
Tejaswini Prasanna
Emma Reilly
Alesia Maria Rengle
Karl Rennick-Zuefle
Morgan Santini
Ayza Sayany
Kaitlyn Seydel
Mia Skeel
Carly Sokolowski
Sarah Ten Broeck
Zayaan Tirmizi
Yanji Tong
Morgan Travis
Nikitha Vasudevan
Zoe Walsh
Maisie Weiss
Garrett Whitney
Anastasia Williams
Sofia Wilson
Olivia Renee Wood
Christopher Wrightson
Sophia Wyszomierski
Claire Elizabeth Youngblood
Zoey Zheng

School of Business

Maya Burgio
Michael Cocozza
Kristina Davidson
Leanne De Silva
Eric Desouza
Layton Foy
Madison Friedman
Taavi Herzog
Alen Ibric
Audrey Josephson
Colin Keenan
Luke Loeffert
Hunter Markham
Nicholas John Monetti
Trent Olson
Adriana Rivera
Elijah Rogers
Isabella Spena
Kyle Van Tran
Evan Wang

School of Computing and Information

Jeremy Byrne
Ezra R Cheifetz
Yixuan Chen
Connor Clifford
Nicholas Ferguson
Daley Fraser
Aaron Huynh
Emma Mahoney
Sruthi Malineni
Jaiden Slifer

School of Education

Lindsey Burkhiser
Christian Harper
Elle Sophia Lage
Mary Richards
Mia Schwyter
Dustin Tu

Swanson School of Engineering

Adam Almoukamal
Satyaj Bhargava
Jillian Brockhoff
Shane Conlin
Nicholas Ryan Dellarosa
Alyson Ferrari
Calvin Fetzek
Sophia Freemyer
Colin Henchy
Yuxin Huang
Shirin Kaye
Frederick John Laudati
Sawyer Abraham Mervis
David Nisula
Jaden Philips
Matthew Renda
Sean Snyder
Anthony Michael Spadafore
Michael VanDemark
Gabriel Warriner

College of General Studies

Raegan Best
Sarah Catherine Biondi
Meriem Boukaabar
Hailie Brown
Ariana Izadbakhsh
Lynnette Kleckner
Ryan Mullen
Alisha Mullick
Amelia Kathryn Pearson
Kaitlyn Pelaia
Sarina Mehta Saran
Krystal Baochau Tran

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Sarah Elizabeth Connerly
Courtney Patricia Dupre
Rachel Marcus
Delaney Morgan
Sara M Reed
Danielle Marie Schramek
Julia May Shellard
Minh Van Tran
Mikaela Mary Aleria Tyahla

School of Nursing

Matilda Anderson
Ann Barney
Ellison Paige Conaway
Alyssa Galioto
Francesca Lister
Ava Meglio
Sabrina Mary Messineo
Devon Senteza
Leah Stone

School of Pharmacy

Kevin Chen
Anna Jane Libikh
Nishesh Patel
Evan Patrick Walker
Jaden Leigh Weiss

School of Public Health

Reyna Garvey
Vivian Greenwood
Harsheni Sudakar

School of Social Work

Anithra Ajith
Kimberly Jenkins
Ruba Nashbat

National and International Scholarship Recipients

Beinecke Scholarship

The Beinecke Scholarship was established in 1971 by the Sperry and Hutchinson Company to honor Edwin, Frederick, and Walter Beinecke. The program seeks to encourage and enable highly motivated students to pursue opportunities available to them in the selection of a graduate course of study in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Ryan Willis
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Boren Scholarship

A prestigious scholarship that provides financial support, language training, and invaluable experiences for students who are passionate about studying critical languages and immersing themselves in different cultures.

Michael Sipper
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

The Critical Language Scholarship

Provides an immersive summer opportunity for American college and university students to learn languages essential to America’s engagement with the world.

Darby Elder
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Deutsher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), or German Academic Exchange Service

The DAAD promotes international academic relations and cooperation and offers undergraduate students a variety of support for study and research in Germany at all levels of the undergraduate program.

Lily Dunne
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
David C. Frederick Honors College

Sophia Freemyer
Swanson School of Engineering
David C. Frederick Honors College

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is one of the most prestigious fellowships in the world, recognizing exceptional graduating seniors, graduate students, and young professionals who are ready to take their scholarship beyond borders. Recipients pursue graduate study, independent research, or English teaching assistantships in more than 140 countries — emerging as true global citizens and joining a legacy of leaders who have shaped the course of international exchange for nearly 80 years.

Samantha Corey
Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award, Spain
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
David C. Frederick Honors College

Sophia Freemyer
Fulbright Research Award, Germany
Swanson School of Engineering
David C. Frederick Honors College

The Gilman Scholarship

This scholarship enables students to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity.

Zain Adamo
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Rachel Amanor
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Stacy Bediako
Swanson School of Engineering

Kayla Brockington
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Phoebe Clouser
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Makayla Dixon
School of Nursing

Leah Dresse
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Isabella Hoffer
School of Business

Toni Jackson
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Zion Jackson
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Hannah Kang
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Mya Kwiatkowski
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Truong An Le
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Isabella Lirette
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Jared Nunez
School of Business

Norah Phillips-Pinkney
School of Business

Ayza Sayany
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Matthew Tang
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Ryan Welsh
School of Business

Nevaeh Williams
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Zhen Yu
School of Business

Barry Goldwater Scholarship

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship was created in 1986 in honor of the late Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, and is considered one of the most prestigious scholarships available to undergraduate students studying natural science, engineering, or mathematics.

Satyaj Bhargava
Swanson School of Engineering

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program supports research focused graduate study in the social sciences and STEM. The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and strength of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States.

Sophia Freemyer
Swanson School of Engineering

César Guerra-Solano
School of Computing and Information

Mary McGrory
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Harry S. Truman Scholarship

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, established by Congress in 1975, awards scholarships to college students who have outstanding leadership potential and who intend to pursue careers in public service.

Samantha Podnar
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Internal Merit-based Scholarship Recipients

Chancellor's Scholarship

The scholarship is one of the most prestigious and competitive awards available at the University of Pittsburgh. These scholars are changemakers committed to making the world a better place by working across academic boundaries, and they are defined by their intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, and their desire to work for the public good.

Cole Belling
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Ynez Conklin
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Elizabeth Dickerson
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Caroline Guo
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Taavi Herzog
School of Business

Sophie Lu
School of Business

Madison Martin
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Karlynn Riccitelli
School of Computing and Information

Claire Rossi
Swanson School of Engineering

Callie Stoltz
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Robyn Strazisar
Swanson School of Engineering

Kaylee Uribe
Swanson School of Engineering

Sara Yates
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Adena Davis Scholarship

The Adena Davis Scholarship for students who have demonstrated academic excellence and the potential for scholarly contributions to the University who are admitted to the School of Nursing.

Mya Norman
School of Nursing

Helen Faison Scholarship

For students who have demonstrated academic excellence and the potential for scholarly contributions to the University.

Oluwadaara Akinpelu
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Kayla Brockington
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Donald Henderson Scholarship

The Donald Henderson Scholarship for students who have demonstrated academic excellence and the potential for scholarly contributions to the University who are admitted to the Swanson School of Engineering.

Ravyn Brown
Swanson School of Engineering

Jordan During
Swanson School of Engineering

Robert Lavelle Scholarship

For students who have demonstrated academic excellence and the potential for scholarly contributions to the University who are admitted to the College of Business Administration.

Joshua Oguh
School of Business

Nordenberg Leadership Scholars

Named after Chancellor Emeritus Mark A. Nordenberg, the program rewards the best and brightest student leaders from high schools in Pennsylvania who have demonstrated excellent leadership skills, innovative thinking, intellectual curiosity, and community involvement.

Thomas Burga
School of Business

Marin Douglas
School of Business

William Miller
Swanson School of Engineering

Claire Tierney
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

The Stamps Scholars

This program, with the support of benefactors E. Roe Stamps and his late wife Penny Stamps, rewards top student leaders for their outstanding academic and leadership accomplishments.

Cesar Guerra-Solano
School of Computing and Information

Samantha Podnar
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Gia Routh
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Chelsea Seegars
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Geina Shaker
School of Computing and Information

The winner for the following awards will be announced during the event. Candidates for the awards are listed within each dropdown section below.

The Emma W. Locke Memorial Award

Established in 1946 by Charles A. Locke as a tribute to his mother, for whom the award is named. The undergraduate school deans each nominate one candidate for their high scholarship, character, leadership, and devotion to the ideals of the University of Pittsburgh. The winner of this award will be announced at the Senior Distinguished Awards Convocation.

Candidates:

Satyaj Bhargava, Swanson School of Engineering
Julia Curran, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Masey Hill, School of Education
Aiden Malone, School of Public Health
Ifemi Olojo-Kosoko, School of Computing and Information
Caitlyn Raehse, School of Social Work
Ethan Simpkins, Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
Leah Stone, School of Nursing
Braydon Takach, School of Business
Matt Tang, College of General Studies
Evan Walker, School of Pharmacy

The Omicron Delta Kappa “Senior of the Year” Award

This award recognizes a student for meritorious leadership and extracurricular activities; exemplary character; leadership, service; scholarship; and who has developed as member of the Pitt community and as a prospective contributor to the greater world. The winner of this award will be announced at the Senior Distinguished Awards Convocation.

Candidates:

Mercy Akanmu, Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
Rebecca Amanor, Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
Shanthi Bhaskar, Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
Jonah Geisner, Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, David C. Frederick Honors College
Caroline Guo, Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
Brandon Hale, Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, David C. Frederick Honors College
Aqsa Owais, Swanson School of Engineering
Stephanie Yau, Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences