Golden State Today

The finalists relied on core values to overcome social isolation and personal adversity. Building communities was essential, they said. So, too, were resolve and humility.

By Edward Lempinen

May 7, 2024

In the remarkable diversity of the 2024 University Medal finalists, there is a striking theme: All of the finalists started their Berkeley studies in isolation, and through their undergraduate years, each found ways to build communities of study and service that were essential to their success.

University Medal winner Christopher Ying has lived this story, and so have the four finalists: Lilly Etzenbach, Henry F. Isselbacher, Skylar Li Song, and Bryce Wallace. All of them had to endure deep personal challenges too — difficult family lives, illness, or studying and working as a woman in a field dominated by men.

How did they manage to thrive? Adaptability, compassion, humility, and community are among the values they cite to explain not just their own experience but the character of the Class of 2024.

The University Medal was established 153 years ago in 1871, three years after the University of California was founded. Candidates must have achieved a GPA of 3.96 or higher while overcoming significant challenges and making a positive impact on the lives of other people.

This year’s finalists:

Hometown: Paris, France

Major: Mechanical engineering; minor in aerospace engineering

Important extracurricular associations and activities: Space Enterprise at Berkeley served as president and manufacturing lead. Berkeley Fire Research Lab led NASA research on combustion in microgravity. Cal Judo and Air Bears.

What’s next? Graduate studies at MIT in astronautics focusing on developing optimized space systems to explore the universe.

What has been the biggest challenge you faced at Berkeley? How did you address it?

“As a freshman, I struggled to find my ground in the aerospace industry. One particular encounter with a female project manager stands out: Her advice to ‘toughen up’ in order to carve out my space left me questioning my place in the field. However, at Cal I found amazing women to look up to and learn from — from professors to peers. Throughout clubs and classes we forged a community for underrepresented genders in the field.”

If you could relive your UC Berkeley experience what one thing would you do differently?

“When prompted about the biggest challenges at Cal by prospective or incoming students my answer is always the same: finding and balancing time to explore all the amazing opportunities this school offers. Looking back I wish I had approached this pursuit with less apprehension — the explorative nature of it is what ultimately renders it exciting!”

Thinking ahead ten years how do you think that challenges your class has faced will shape you as a group as a generation?

“From high school graduation ceremonies in drive-throughs to lockdown lunch boxes from Crossroads Dining Hall Zoom-proctored exams our generation learned adaptability care for each other whether nearby or across globe.”

Humanity seems stressed right now needs great why important look outward planets stars?

“Space connects us through phones collects crucial data humanity’s impact planet catalyst international cooperation technological innovation stars provide inspiration humility courage navigating Unknown embracing infinite possibilities.”

Hometown: Newton Mass.

Majors: Economics public health; minor public policy

Important extracurricular associations activities: Chief financial officer Associated Students University California (ASUC); chair ASUC Student Union Board Directors; executive director ASUC Grant Scholarship Foundation; president Sigma Alpha Nu pre-law fraternity; undergraduate student instructor economics statistics

What’s next? A year off work absorb everything from time at Berkeley then law school.

What has been biggest challenge faced at Berkeley? How addressed it?

“The biggest challenge was finding sense community belonging during first year 2020 when everything Zoom home East Coast most year remember disconnect felt addressed seeking community through extracurriculars creative ways connect new friends afar underscored importance getting involved around campus outside academics.”

If relive UC Berkeley experience one thing do differently?

“Taught DeCal second year never took one student think enroll DeCal part college experience should include exploration new interests topics outside traditional curricula pedagogy DeCal program brings together students all over campus fun learning without stress pressure.”

Thinking ahead ten years how think challenges class faced shape group generation?

“Our generation adapted unfamiliar uncertain circumstances dynamic moment lives given cohort resolve tackle whatever challenges lay ahead optimism even chips down nothing can’t handle.”

In University Medal essay noted need humility tell more why important?

“One traits Berkeley excellence most folks students faculty arrive given excellence something no matter how excellent any person meaningful accomplishments achievements cannot often realized oneself Humility shows strength numbers more approaches better than fewer our excellence skills relative rather than absolute.”

Hometown: Shandong China

Major: Art practice; minor creative writing

Important extracurricular associations activities: Founder president head mentor Digital Illustration Concept Art at Berkeley (registered club); facilitator Introduction Digital Painting (DeCal); game art mentor graphic designer Game Design Development Club Konshuu publication artist panelist Cal Animage Alpha Anime Destiny guest mentor volunteer artist designer various registered student organizations

What’s next? Medically necessary break continuing work freelance artist volunteering developing artistic creative writing practice passion projects grad school far future becoming professor.

What has been biggest challenge faced at Berkeley? How addressed it?

“Coming out years medical trauma cultural limbo first-generation immigrant college student pain violence childhood rebuilding fractured identity grappling relentlessly uncertain present future learned rebuild crumbled agency help others creative journeys build community inspire positive change those around.”

If relive UC Berkeley experience one thing do differently?

“Taken more time venture outside comfort zone negotiating rebuilding identity emerging past traumas debilitating fear messing up gravitated towards strengths academically artistically pushed break free fear experiment artistically brand new mediums examine academic topics radically outside familiar purview.”

Is there element character experience sets Class apart shape going forward?

“Uncertain pandemic years still uncertain present shown ability resilient turbulent times spite personal challenges small ways use strength resilience work towards better compassionate world.”

Health challenges significant world generally difficult turbulent period context why art important?

“Art more than escapism mortar fills fault lines brick holds us tether multitudes suffering joy pain catharsis distilled stylized mystified miraculous mortar cannot be found cracks deep stubborn agonizingly familiar devastatingly particular make mortar mend ourselves.”

Hometown Southern California

Majors English linguistics

Important extracurricular associations activities College Corps Volunteer Fellow McClymonds High School Oakland volunteer Akira’s Book Club treasurer English Undergraduate Association.

What’s next Ph.D. English Yale University

Biggest challenge faced Berkeley How addressed it “Reflect who before time reminded unlikely seem previous self arrived transfer student lot self-doubt slowly learn trust intuition proud ideas here mentors helped see myself long could not.”

Relive UC Berkeley experience one thing differently “Made more time sit stairs under Campanile watch sunset rather consider reminder future regret.”

Element character experience sets Class apart shape going forward “Berkeley brimming passionate students varying backgrounds perspectives reducing complex experiences diverse student body singular narrative misstep especially because historically moment struggle speak themselves.”

General sense good citizen Why important value “Considering abstractly answer question performed action say good citizens patient avoid cynicism hypocrisy fearlessly dream better world cautious attempting actualize dreams however world doesn’t lend abstractions define generally argue humility agreeableness clearly times good citizens anything but.”