Mercer Times

Princeton University has announced that seniors Avi Attar and Jennifer Nwokeji have been awarded the 2025 Moses Taylor Pyne Honor Prize. This prestigious award is the highest general distinction conferred on an undergraduate at Princeton, recognizing excellence in scholarship, character, and leadership. The recipients will be honored during Alumni Day on February 22.

The Pyne Honor Prize was established in 1921 and past recipients include notable figures such as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and former Princeton President Robert F. Goheen.

Avi Attar, hailing from Newton, Massachusetts, is majoring in Public and International Affairs with a minor in computer science. He served as president of the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) and has been recognized with the Shapiro Prize for Academic Excellence. Reflecting on his time at Princeton, Attar remarked that the Pyne Prize is a “great honor” that underscores the opportunities provided to him by the university.

Harold James, a professor of history and international affairs who taught Attar, described him as "a student of very great distinction" representing "the absolute best of Princeton intellectual life." Ian Deas, associate dean of undergraduate students, praised Attar as “a once-in-a-generation leader,” highlighting his integrity and commitment to student well-being.

Jennifer Nwokeji from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is pursuing a major in molecular biology with minors in bioengineering and African studies. She intends to enter an M.D./Ph.D. program after graduation. Upon receiving news of her award, Nwokeji expressed her emotional response: “I almost cried.” Her mentor John Jimah called her “a true joy to work with — a brilliant mind and a natural leader."

Nwokeji’s research focuses on malaria within Jimah's lab at Princeton. Her senior thesis builds upon her junior paper under Jimah’s guidance alongside graduate student Amari Tankard.

Matthew Lazen from Butler College described Nwokeji as someone who embodies the spirit of service associated with the Pyne Prize winners: "Not only is she a consummate scholar but she always goes the extra mile for others."

Both students have held numerous roles within their academic communities showcasing leadership capabilities beyond academia itself including mentoring positions or involvement within civic engagement initiatives across campus life events like volunteering efforts locally around New Jersey area soup kitchens among other commitments outside traditional classroom settings which further demonstrate why they were chosen this year amongst many candidates considered worthy too being recognized today here now through such distinguished recognition received thus far deservedly so indeed!