Great Class of ’26 Seniors and Awardees Recognized at Class Day
The Department of Chemistry Class Day ’26 Awards and Recognition Ceremony took place during a celebration on Monday, May 25, honoring the chemistry majors of the Class of ’26 who completed departmental requirements for graduation.
Overseeing the ceremony in Taylor Auditorium were Department of Chemistry Chair Paul Chirik, the Edwards S. Sanford Professor of Chemistry; Director of Undergraduate Studies Robert L’Esperance; and Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies Susan VanderKam.
L’Esperance announced the Class of ’26 awards, honors, and prizes in the categories listed below. In addition, three awards were given to rising seniors.
Congratulations to all award winners and their families.
DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS AND PRIZES
American Institute of Chemists Foundation Award
This award is based on a demonstrated record of leadership, ability, character, scholastic achievement, and potential for advancement of the chemical profession.
Awarded to:
Thomas Martin
American Chemical Society – Division of Inorganic Chemistry/Undergraduate Award
This award is given for demonstrated excellence in inorganic chemistry based on any combination of research, coursework, and/or motivation/interest/dedication.
Awarded to:
Zhiwen Wu
American Chemical Society – Division of Organic Chemistry/Undergraduate Award
This award is given in recognition of a student who displays an aptitude for organic chemistry, and to encourage further interest in the field.
Awarded to:
Mitchell Brodie
Charles Ambach, center at Class Day with his family, who won the Department's Malcolm H. Chisholm Prize.
American Chemical Society – Division of Physical Chemistry/Undergraduate Award
Awarded to:
Maggie Rea
The Everett S. Wallis Prize
This award is given for exceptional performance in all aspects of organic chemistry.
Awarded to:
Wesley Sanders
The Malcolm H. Chisholm Prize
This award recognizes the student who has written the best inorganic thesis.
Awarded to:
Charles Ambach
The Royal Society of Chemistry Certificate of Undergraduate Excellence
For outstanding achievement in chemistry.
Awarded to:
Tanay Nambiar
Eden Michael
The Sigma Xi Book Award for Outstanding Research
This award highlights high aptitude for research in fields of pure or applied science.
Awarded to:
Ada Metaxas
Eden Michael, right at Class Day, a co-awardee of the The Royal Society of Chemistry Certificate of Undergraduate Excellence.
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY – HONORS
Maggie Rae
Michael Kostolansky
Madeline Miller
Brian Park
Zhiwen Wu
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY – HIGH HONORS
Tanay Nambiar
Eden Michael
Ada Metaxas
Thomas Martin
Mitchell Brodie
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY – HIGHEST HONORS
Wesley Sanders
Charles Ambach
AWARDS TO RISING SENIORS
William Foster Memorial Prize in Chemistry
Awarded annually to a junior who has demonstrated outstanding academic and research ability in chemistry.
Awarded to:
Daniel Choi
Peter N. Curtin Class of 2008 Award for Excellence in Chemistry Research
Awarded to a current undergraduate student who has demonstrated academic excellence, exceptional intellectual curiosity, and collegiality.
Awarded to:
Marlan Zha
ACS – Division of Analytical Chemistry
Awarded to a student displaying an aptitude for analytical chemistry.
Awarded to:
Justin Tam