Mercer Times

Members of Princeton University’s Class of 2024 celebrated the end of their undergraduate careers with a Class Day ceremony honoring their achievements and leadership on Monday, May 27.

The Allen Macy Dulles ’51 Award was given to Chioma Ugwonali of Arlington, Texas. The award recognizes a senior whose activities at Princeton best exemplify the University’s informal motto, “Princeton in the nation’s service and the service of humanity.” Ugwonali is majoring in ecology and evolutionary biology with a certificate in environmental studies. She volunteers with the Eastern Service Workers of Trenton, which assists low-income service and temporary workers. In Texas, she has helped organize a summer wellness festival for her community and worked on outreach programs for high school students. At Princeton, she was a peer health adviser at University Health Services and a fellow at the Office of Campus Engagement. Ugwonali is a member of Butler College.

Torre Wilks of Solon, Ohio, received the Frederick Douglass Service Award, established in 1969 at the recommendation of Carl Fields, who was assistant dean of the college. The award is given to a senior who has exhibited “courage, leadership, intellectual achievement and a willingness to contribute unselfishly toward a deeper understanding of the experiences of racial minorities and who, in so doing, reflects the tradition of service embodied in education at Princeton.” Wilks is a sociology major with a certificate in technology and society. She was an intern at Coca-Cola focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion. She has served as president of Our Health Matters and director of Business Today’s Boost Conference. Wilks is a member of New College West, where she served as a residential college adviser and chair of the college council.

The Harold Willis Dodds Achievement Prize was presented to Liliana “Lily” Gittoes from Redwood City, California. The award recognizes the senior who best embodies qualities associated with Princeton’s 15th president Harold Dodds: clear thinking, moral courage, patient regard for others' opinions, devotion to university welfare and intellectual life. Gittoes majors in operations research and financial engineering with an applications-of-computing certificate. She has been awarded both Shapiro Prize for Academic Excellence and Community Energy Undergraduate Presentation Award from Andlinger Center. Gittoes co-chaired Undergraduate Student Government Projects Board; she also served on Dean Search Committee as one among two student representatives selected by peers.

Sydney Johnson from Piscataway received two prizes: W.Sanderson Detwiler1903Prize (awarded based upon classmates’ judgment regarding contributions made towards class) alongside Walter E.HopeClassof1901Medal (recognizing those judged most impactful towards university). These were last awarded jointly back during2011.Johnson majored within Spanish/Portuguese while obtaining certificates spanning Latin American/urban studies respectively.She presided over ClassOf2024 whilst participating numerous campus organizations such Black Theatre Collective alongside women volleyball club among others.Johnson also represented students through initiatives like ‘Princeton Hollywood’.She resided within NewCollegeWest acting ResidentialAdviser too.

Jasper Lydon from Bethesda won Priscilla Glickman’92MemorialPrize recognizing independence/imagination shown around community services whilst maintaining strong academic work.Lydon focused environmental justice under Public/International Affairs department.Prior arriving campus they participated Novogratz Bridge Year program Indonesia.Co-founding Inter-Club Sustainability Council coordinating sustainability efforts across eating clubs.Lydon completed internships via Civic Service,Rise Fellowship,and John C.Bogle’51 Fellows Civic Service respectively.

Sam Davidson received Class1916Cup established celebrating its50th reunion.It acknowledges highest academically standing varsity letter winner.Davidson,a sociology major played field hockey aiding team achieve Ivy League Championships including national championship game appearance.A leader within SCORRE educating coaches teammates healthy relationships,culture respect inclusion volunteer Best Buddies chapter mentoring Women Economics Policy.Davidson captained senior year residing Whitman College.

Kaitlyn Chen basketball player anthropology major San Marino earned C.Otto von Kienbusch Award top senior sportswoman recognition.Chen led Tigers three consecutive Ivy titles,tournament crowns NCAA appearances making history winning back-to-back tournament games.First since2016 CSC Second Team Academic All-American finishing career1267points359assists.Member Forbes College.

Tristan Szapary fencing neuroscience major Wynnewood won William Winston Roper Trophy recognizing male seniors excelling scholastically,sportsmanship athletic proficiency.Szapary led team ninth individual men fencing national championship first since2012.All-American honor second straight,two-time regional champion three-time All-Ivy honoree.Team returned Ivy top winning title first since2017 following runner-up finish previous season.Two-time captain member Butler College

Jalen Travis football anthropology African American studies Minneapolis won Arthur Lane’34 Citizen Athlete Award.Travis,a two-time All-Ivy performer/champion founded nonprofit Just Action Coalition Minneapolis.He co-directed Minority Pre-Law Association receiving Truman Scholarship pursuing law public service.Member NewCollegeWest

Chris Sailer Leadership Awards went Matt Allocco Leilani Bender.Matt sociology Hilliard Ohio two-year captain leading basketball success historic run upset wins NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen berth first since1967.Member Whitman.Leilani civil/environmental engineering Honolulu Hawaii flanker rugby honored versatile defensive awards volunteering tutoring Natives visibility awareness issues.Member Mathey

Honorary members recognized faculty staff alumni impacting student body included Claire Gmachl,Eugene Higgins Professor Electrical Computer Engineering interim director Andlinger Center Energy Environment;Mia Gonzalez Guerrero retail food worker Campus Dining Frist Campus Center;Neena Simpson orientation coordinator Office Dean Undergraduate Students;James Vreeland professor politics international affairs School Public International Affairs;Sam Waterston Emmy-award actor Class Day speaker.