Each year, graduating seniors have the opportunity to apply for UC Berkeley’s prestigious University Medal, an honor that requires a 3.96 GPA and goes to those who have overcome challenges and are making a difference in people’s lives.
The University Medal was established in 1871 and this year, the Prizes Committee selected five finalists. Radhika Kannan took home first place and will be delivering the commencement speech at this year’s graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 16, but the four runners-up — Miranda Landfield, Matt Nguyen, Margaret Perret and Aaron Wienkers — are all exceptional in their own right. The finalists will each receive a $500 award and will undoubtedly go on to do great things. Here is a little about the finalists — who they are, what they’ve learned, what inspires them and what comes next.