Celebrating the 2026 Markkula Prize Recipient and Ethics Center Class of 2026!

Some graduating seniors from the Ethics Center Class of 2026. Vari Hall, Santa Clara University. June 12, 2026.

Santa Clara University campus buzzed with the excitement of commencement festivities on what turned out to be a warmer than usual day in the Bay Area. Despite the heat, our beautiful campus was photo-ready for the big day, complete with blue skies and bursts of colorful florals throughout the grounds.

In the sunlit lobby of Vari Hall, graduating seniors from Ethics Center student fellowships and internships–containing both the excitement and emotion that comes with this academic milestone–gathered with their families and friends, along with Markkula Center staff, faculty, and advisory board members, for a coffee and donuts reception to acknowledge the Class of 2026. Markkula Center honor cords were distributed for graduates to wear with their caps and gowns. The cords signify each student’s involvement in ethics-focused fellowships, research, internships, and Ethics Bowl during their time at SCU.

Celebrating and recognizing the senior class and their many achievements is one of our favorite days of the year, and as we highlight graduating students from the Business Ethics Internship, Environmental Ethics Fellowship, Ethics Bowl Team, Government Ethics Fellowship, Hackworth Fellowship, Hackworth Research Grant Recipients, Health Care Ethics Internship, Honzel Fellowship, and Marketing and Communications Internship we can’t help but be a little sad that our time with each student is coming to a close, and we look forward to following their next steps, and hope our paths will cross many times again in the future.

2026 Markkula Prize

Named in honor of Center benefactor A.C. "Mike" Markkula Jr., the Markkula Prize goes to a student who has shown outstanding commitment to ethics, either through creating programs for fellow students or completing significant research in the field.

Executive Director Don Heider and Ethics Center Advisory Board Member and SCU Trustee Kristi Markkula Bowers ’90, MBA ’97, enthusiastically awarded this year's Markkula Prize to 2025-26 Hackworth Fellow Taara Khan ’26.

During her fellowship Khan worked with Ethics Center Director of Media and Journalism Ethics, Subbu Vincent. Her project, “Breaking the Cycle: Media Representation and MENA Women’s Democratic Participation,” focused on how media representation of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) women affects their democratic participation. Khan studied mechanisms by which representation either enables or forecloses participation, and asked the question, how can the negative cycle be broken?

Santa Clara University Awards

Students throughout Ethics Center programs were recognized this year with awards of distinction from Santa Clara University, including:

Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J. Award

The Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J. Award is given by the University President, to a graduating senior who exemplifies the ideals of Jesuit education, especially being a "whole person of solidarity in the real world" and having the courage and faith to build a more just and humane world. This year’s Kolvenbach Award was presented to Gabrielle Pitre, a double major in political science and ethnic studies, and a 2024-25 Hackworth Fellow.

Saint Clare Medal

The Saint Clare Medal is presented to two graduates judged outstanding in academic performance, personal character, school activities, and constructive contribution to the University. Claire Krebs, a neuroscience and philosophy double major, and 2024-25 Hackworth Fellow was one of this year’s Saint Clare Medal recipients.

Richard J. Riordan Award

The Richard J. Riordan Award in recognition of outstanding contributions in the area of community service was awarded to Megan Baldemor, 2025-26 Health Care Ethics Intern, and Samantha Lei, a 2025-26 Environmental Ethics Fellow.

Neider Family Alumni Service Award

2024-’25 Hackworth Fellow, Alicia Nelson, was one of two recipients of the 2026 Neider Family Alumni Service Award, which provides financial support to seniors who are leaving SCU and going directly into a service program or project.

Gracelyn Bateman Award for Inclusive Excellence

The Gracelyn Bateman Award for Inclusive Excellence recognizes graduating seniors dedicated to promoting a positive and inclusive environment by living and practicing our vision to build a more humane, just, and sustainable world. This year, Sahana Kumar, a 2025-26 Hackworth Fellow, received this award.

A full list of school and department awards, and honor society memberships for the Class of 2026 can be found on the University’s Commencement website.

The Ethics Center Class of 2026!

We are inspired by the dedication and enthusiasm for ethics demonstrated by the insightful and compassionate Class of 2026, and are grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow with these students during their time at SCU. As they embark on their lifelong pursuits, we are certain they will carry our mission to make better decisions for a more caring world, and we look forward to maintaining a life-long connection with our graduates and their extended families. We hope each of our program participants will find opportunities to stay connected with the Center.

Business Ethics Internship

Grace Perryman, Bianca Isabela Ricafort

Environmental Ethics Fellowship

Caleigh Detels, Samantha Lei, Andrew Schatz

Ethics Bowl Team

Shelly Cormier, Joshua Nesdahl, Abigail Sauter

Government Ethics Fellowship

Christian Barnard, Hermon Welde, Ainsley Zapata

Hackworth Fellowship

Sahana Chandramohan, Shelly Cormier, Nicole Davari, Tate Dominguez, Malia Hoey, Tara Khambadkone, Taara Khan, Noah Kisiel, Claire Krebs, Sahana Kumar, Alicia Nelson, Aris Ozark, Gabrielle Pitre, Zander Rafalovich, Sophia Smithstanza, Amy-Elyzabeth Torrico, Griffin Warren, Saron Weldemariam

Jul 9, 2026