First Place, Student Award for Excellence

Viktor Baltin, Biological Engineering, Class of 2024. First Prize, for his studies of Chinese and Spanish. Viktor exemplifies academic excellence. He possesses an extraordinary aptitude for languages that makes him a delight to teach. His unwavering motivation is evident, underscored by a profound dedication to honing his linguistic skills and fostering intercultural understanding. Impressively, he independently mastered Spanish in just three months, subsequently entering a level IV course at MIT. Moreover, his insatiable curiosity, sharp analytical abilities, and wit contributed significantly to elevating class discussions, making them richer and more nuanced.

Margarita Ribas Groeger Distinguished Scholar

Nicole Harris, Biological Engineering, Class of 2024, for her studies of Portuguese and Spanish. Nicole is an exceptional student. In her Spanish class, she was always taking the initiative to learn more about each culture we discussed, not just Spanish-speaking national cultures like Mexico, Cuba, and Peru but also Black and indigenous communities within. In Brazil, she constantly made connections to her knowledge about Latin America and other parts of the African diaspora to enrich her own learning and that of others.

Ellen Crocker Distinguished Scholar

Kenneth Choi, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Class of 2025, for his studies of Chinese and Korean. Kenneth has excelled in MIT’s Korean and Chinese programs and is pivotal in the Korean Cultural Association. He has played a major role in stimulating interest in Korean studies on campus.