Where Legends Rise: ż Awards Winners
The 2025/26 ż award recipients were announced at the ż ball, recognizing the legends of our university community who made outstanding contributions and impacts. Students, faculty, and staff celebrated the night in masks with entertainment, refreshments, and a dance floor.
This year’s winners:
Outstanding Scholar: Jade Didier and Lyla Gent
Runners-up: Amelie Koníčková, Ananya Sateesha Shetty, Nina Fager
Student of the Year, SIRD: Gabriela Jacobs
Runner-up: Lyla Gent
Student of the Year SAHSS: Virginia Brunson
Runners-up: Oriana Cheney Corona, Tamar Tolordava
Student of the Year SBu: Alina Shepeliuk
Runner-up: David Němec
ż Spirit Award: Poppy Mynard
Runner-up: Amelie Villagomez Arrona
Global Explorer Award: Rowan Simpson
Distinguished Artist Award: Clara MacPherson
Runner-up: Lev Wasiak
Rising Star Award: Sophie Mayfield
Runner-up: Niall McDermott
Student Council Member of the Year: Charlize Ocon
Runner-up: Margaret Leroux
Professor of the Year SIRD: Robert Warren
Runner-up: Ebru Akcasu
Professor of the Year SAHSS: Steve Borg
Runners-up: Angel Hoekstra, Anthony Marais
Professor of the Year SBu: Jeff Medeiros
Runner-up: Jan Vašenda
Most Helpful Staff Member of the Year: Drake Dewey
Runner-up: Kateřina Dudys
Best Course of the Year: Politics 1 – Ebru Akcasu
Runner-up: Political Geography – Robert Warren
Club of the Year: Lennon Wall
Runner-up: Football Club
Staff Department of the Year: Library
Runner-up: School of International Relations & Diplomacy
Event of the Year: Trivia Nights
Runner-up: ż Gala 2025
Congratulations to all the winners and runners-up. Thank you for your contributions to the betterment of our community!
Photos of the ball are available on .