CMC graduates lauded for leadership, academic triumphs

Composite image of Sobé Uwajeh '22 (left) reading a textbook and Dorcas Saka '22 (right) at a podium during 2022 Family Weekend.

H.N. and Francis C. Berger Prizes for Outstanding Seniors Sobé Uwajeh, left, and Dorcas Saka.

Poised to celebrate their graduation from CMC, members of the Class of 2022 gathered to honor their classmates’ academic achievements, as well as their commitment to making a difference on campus and in the community.

Dorcas Saka '22 pictured at 2020 Family Weekend.
Dorcas Saka '22

At the senior banquet held on May 5, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty Heather Antecol recognized the winners of the academic awards. “These awards are the culmination of the numerous hours spent in the classroom, in the lab, and in many research, writing, and study sessions,” she said. “Each of you here tonight are to be commended on your tremendous academic efforts!”

Later that evening, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Dianna “DT” Graves ’98 recognized the winners of the student life awards. She noted the many co-curricular commitments of the seniors and lauded the enduring friendships that characterize the class of 2022.

The Class of 2022’s highest awards—The H.N. and Francis C. Berger Prizes for Outstanding Seniors—recognized Dorcas Saka and Sobé Uwajeh. Awarded each year to two outstanding seniors in the graduating class, the prizes were established by Fran and Nor Berger, with criteria that includes: academic achievement, leadership, contributions to the College and the student body, and personal integrity. “There was a truly exceptional pool of applicants for this year’s Berger Prize, a tribute to the excellence of the class of 2022,” said Graves.

Saka, a Science Management major with a concentration in Public Health was also honored with the Brian Walkenbach Award for Outstanding Resident Assistant. “Dorcas is one of the most capable people I’ve ever met. She is measured, diligent, and seeds kindness in all her interactions,” Graves said. “We are so proud of her.”

Sobé Uwajeh '22 pictured walking on campus.
Sobé Uwajeh '22

In addition to working as an RA at Benson Hall, Saka’s leadership experience at CMC extended to her serving as a senior interviewer and a course mentor with the Murty Sunak Quantitative and Computing Lab.

Uwajeh, who earned a Public Policy BS with Leadership Studies Sequence, represented the Class of 2022 as the ASCMC senior class president. Among her many leadership roles at CMC, Uwajeh co-founded the Volunteer Club, served as vice president, Pre-Law Society; senior advisor, Black Student Association; president and senior advisor, QuestBridge Network and WorldMUN chair, Model United Nation Team.

“Sobé is able to make connections from her college experience to the broader world,” Graves said. “Her care for others and commitment to making a difference are perfectly aligned with the tenets of the Berger Prize.”

 


 

2022 Student Awards

The William H. Alamshah Award for Student Leadership

Cindy Lay, “who has shown extraordinary leadership in student government and has contributed most to the spirit of student self-governance.”

The Alumni Association Citizenship Award

Lucie Kapner and Carson Stubstad – “This year’s award goes to two students who have exemplified the spirit of the Citizenship Award both on and off campus, working with alumni, parents, prospective students, and developing greater community on campus and around the world.”

The Alumni Association Outstanding Athlete Award for Seniors

Robert Liu
Augusta Lewis

The H.N. and Francis C. Berger Prizes for Outstanding Seniors

Dorcas Saka
Sobé Uwajeh

The William Dickinson Athletic Award

Samay Rahim, midfielder for the CMS Men’s Soccer Team, “who best represents the Athletic Program through determination, self-discipline, and conscientiousness.”

The O’Keefe Award

Beckett Hall, for “overall grade point average, low vandalism charges, participation in extracurricular activities, creativity in social and recreational activities, and overall community.”

The Brian Walkenbach Award for Outstanding Resident Assistant

Dorcas Saka (Benson Hall) – “Voted on by the RAs, this award recognizes the recipient’s hard work, personal integrity, and love of CMC.”

The Alumni Association Outstanding Athlete Award for Seniors

Robert Liu
Augusta Lewis

The H.N. and Francis C. Berger Prizes for Outstanding Seniors

Dorcas Saka
Sobé Uwajeh


Academic Department Awards

Robert Day School of Economics and Finance

Best Overall Achievement: Sohrab Dubash
Best Thesis: Adhitya Venkatraman


Robert Day School of Economics and Finance (Accounting)

Best Overall Achievement: Lauren Kula
Best Thesis: Andrew Winssinger


Robert Day School of Economics and Finance (Financial Economics)

Best Overall Achievement: Audrey Guilloteau
Best Thesis: Dustin Lind

Environment, Economics and Politics

Best Overall Achievement: Gage Hornung
Best Thesis: Kimberly Zamora Delgado

Government

Best Overall Achievement: Henry Schulz
Best Thesis: Andrea Leibenhaut

History Department

Best Overall Achievement: Marycarmen Montanez
Best Thesis: Lucie Kapner

International Relations

Best Overall Achievement: Carley Barnhart
Best Thesis: Skyler Sallick

Literature

Best Overall Achievement: Giselle Reynoso
Best Thesis: David Gushue

Mathematics

Best Overall Achievement: Siki Wang
Best Thesis: Lauren Cashdan

Military Science

Best Overall Achievement: Lauryn Jeans

Modern Languages

Best Thesis – Spanish: Alicia Reynaga
Best Overall Achievement – Spanish: Georgia Beth Tuckerman

Philosophy

Best Overall Achievement: Laura Mora
Best Thesis: Caroline McGinnis

Psychology

Best Overall Achievement: Shania Sharma
Best Thesis: Shania Sharma

Public Policy

Best Overall Achievement: Olivia Welsh
Best Thesis: Harrison Hosking

Religious Studies

Best Overall Achievement: Jazmyn Juarez
Best Thesis: Zoe Carlson

Sciences

Best Thesis:

Biological Science: Max Proctor
Neuroscience: Tristan Reece
Physical Sciences: Leila El Masri

Best Overall Achievement: Jacob Mays
 

Other Awards

Class of 2022 Valedictorians

Simon Alexander
Andrea Zoe Leibenhaut
Jacob Frederick Mays

George Blair Award (Rose Institute)

Nohl Montgomery Patterson and Adhitya Venkatraman

Gender Studies-Best Thesis

Robin Peterson

Innovation & Entrepreneurship-Best Thesis

Josiah Tarrant

Jewish Studies-Best Thesis

Lucie Kapner

Keck Center Best Senior Thesis

Comparative Politics: Katrina Frei-Herrmann
Foreign Affairs: Elena Neff
Foreign Policy: Sydney Heath
International Institutions: Kelsey Clarke
International Security: Yara Ismael
Political Economy: Kaito Komoriya

Mgrublian Center for Human Rights

Overall Student – Human Rights, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies Sequence: Sydney Heath
Best Thesis – Human Rights: Hailey Wilson

Roland Award for Excellence in Public Affairs

Daenerys Pineda

Roland Prize for Best Thesis in Public Administration

Anna Green

Snortum Award for Distinctive Character

Rachel Podl

Anne Bergman

Contact

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