Our alumni make us proud of their efforts and achievements in the public and private realms—this prestigious award honors graduates of the division who have gone on to extraordinary accomplishments in diverse fields.

This prestigious award honors graduates of the division who have gone on to extraordinary accomplishments in diverse fields. Two awards are presented annually—one for a former graduate student and one for a former undergraduate student—whose career is characterized by sustained and exemplary contributions to society through research, practice, education, policy, or service. The award winners bring enduring honor to their alma mater as practitioners and as citizens.

Our alumni make us proud of their efforts and achievements in the public and private realms—in industry, research, technology, and education. Many of the division’s former students have built on their UC Santa Cruz educational experience to implement their ideals and achieve their goals. Many have distinguished themselves through their work for environmental sustainability, science journalism, and scientific research, or as leaders in industry, technology, or other fields. Some have taken paths that could have not been predicted by their academic studies, but which have led to notable achievements.

Awardees are selected from nominations by alumni, staff, and faculty (including emeriti) in the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences.

The deadline for nominations is November 20 at 5 p.m. PDT.

Make a nomination

Past recipients

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2016

2015

2012

2010

2007

2006

2005

1999

Terence Unity Freitas

1998

Brent Constantz

1995

Laurie Garrett

1992

Antonio Velasco

1987

Julie Packard

1985

Steven Hawley

1984

Kathryn Sullivan