At the end of each academic year, CMC recognizes outstanding members of the graduating class with CMC Student Life awards at a celebratory dinner. Held at the Ath, the annual tradition offers an opportunity to formally honor CMC student-leaders before Commencement.
“The Class of 2026 boasts so many incredible leadership and achievement stories. And these students honored with the Student Life Awards are among the very best,” said Dianna “DT” Graves ’98, Vice President for Student Affairs.
CMC’s highest honors this year went to Lindsay Eisenman ’26 and Louis Layman ’26, who were each awarded H.N. and Francis C. Berger Prizes for Outstanding Seniors. Established by Fran and Nor Berger, the criteria for the Berger Prize includes academic achievement, leadership, contributions to the College and the student body, and personal integrity. More than 100 nominations were received from members of the community for review, with CMC President Hiram Chodosh making the final selections, in consultation with members of his leadership team.
Eisenman was recognized as one of the most accomplished and impactful scholar-leader-athletes in recent CMC history. While maintaining an exceptional academic record, Eisenman emerged on the national stage as the top-ranked Division III women’s tennis player, successfully completing the career “triple crown” of NCAA tennis by winning the team national championship as a first-year in 2023, capturing the singles national championship last year, and then earning the doubles national championship this year (with Rebecca Kong HMC ’28). Eisenman, who majored in Science Management with a Data Science sequence, also demonstrated meaningful leadership through her mentorship of younger teammates and her work as President of the Women Empowerment in Sports club.
Layman co-founded the Claremont Recovery Collective, a 5C organization that provides a safe and anonymous space for students struggling with substance abuse. Described as “a thoughtful and deeply engaged member of the CMC community,” Layman majored in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE), with a near perfect GPA. He distinguished himself not only through academic excellence, but through the way he consistently invested in the people and institutions around him, especially those in Model UN and the Asian Pacific American Mentoring group. Layman is also a 5C Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow and a Wagener Family Global Scholar.
Additional 2026 Student Life Award-winners:
Thomas Walker ’26, William H. Alamshah Award for Student Leadership. Given each year to a graduating senior or a student departing CMC for the 3-2 engineering program, the award honors extraordinary leadership in student government and student self-governance. In his role as ASCMC’s Chief Financial Officer for the past two years, Walker managed all of the financial obligations of ASCMC and implemented numerous transparency, accountability, and communication initiatives, including making finances as small of a barrier as possible for students.
Cahal Connolly ’26, William G. Dickinson Award. Established in the 1970s, the award recognizes the CMS student-athlete “who best represents the athletic program through determination, self-discipline, and conscientiousness.” Widely regarded as one of the strongest leaders on campus, Connolly was honored for embodying “those qualities in every aspect of his leadership and service.” A Stags basketball team captain, dorm president, and senior apartments RA, Connolly consistently prioritized community, inclusion, and the success of others above himself.
Lucy Meza ’26,Brian Walkenbach Award for Outstanding Resident Assistant.Established in honor of Brian Walkenbach ’96, a former RA of Phillips and the College’s first residence director, the award is voted on by fellow RAs and recognizes hard work, personal integrity, and love of CMC. Meza, one of the RAs in Beckett Hall, “demonstrated an exceptional level of commitment and care in her role.” Within the RA cohort, she was known for consistently going above and beyond to support both fellow RAs and her residents.
In addition, Beckett Hall won the O’Keefe Award for outstanding residence hall, where Meza shared RA leadership duties with Tamoy Pitt ’26 and dorm presidents Alex Chacon ’27 and Brayden Chien ’27. For the 25–26 academic year, Beckett proved to be a vibrant and engaged community on a variety of levels, featuring one of the highest collective GPAs of CMC’s dorms. In addition, Beckett residents were highlighted for their strong multi-class-year community.
CMC Alumni Association awards:
Each year the Alumni Association also honors two Outstanding Athletes of the Year. This year’s winners exemplify athletic and academic excellence, as well as the qualities of sportsmanship valued by the College.
Riley Capuano ’26, an Economics and International Relations major, assembled one of the strongest seasons ever for the CMS women’s cross country team, earning SCIAC Athlete of the Year, All-West Region, and All-American honors.
Jake Taylor ’26, an Economics and Data Science major, helped the men’s water polo team to a 22-5 record and the national title. A First Team Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches All-American and First Team All-SCIAC selection, Taylor led the nation in blocks, goals-against average, and wins.
Ava Thuresson ’26 and Jack Farber ’26 were each recognized with the Alumni Association Citizenship Award for making significant contributions “to the development of student body spirit through leadership and extracurricular activities.”
Thuresson, the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations (OAPE) noted, has “helped to build a more connected and vibrant CMC community.” In addition, Thuresson led the singing of the National Anthem at the 2026 Commencement ceremony.
Farber supported both student life and alumni engagement as a member of the 5C men’s rugby team and as an intern in the alumni office. OAPE staff noted that his “school spirit and dedication make him a positive force for the community.”