Trinity College began the tradition of Honors Day in the spring of 1950, introducing an occasion when the College recognized students for outstanding achievements in academics, community service, and leadership at the close of the academic year.
At the 75th Honors Day ceremony—held in the Chapel on May 1—President Daniel G. Lugo said, “Since its founding, Trinity has been guided by the conviction that education is transformative—that it not only shapes individual lives but also equips graduates to contribute meaningfully to society. That conviction endures in the achievements we recognize today.”
Lugo added that the accomplishments of the more than 280 students being recognized “reflect the very best of the institution: distinction in scholarship, depth of intellectual curiosity, creativity in thought and expression, and a sustained commitment to service and community.”
Before she introduced the first awards, Sonia Cardenas, provost and dean of faculty and Scott M. Johnson ’97 Distinguished Professor of Political Science, noted the unique nature of the mementos presented to students at Honors Day 2026. “This year, instead of a certificate, you will receive a piece of Trinity history: slate from the original Long Walk roof, dating to the 1870s,” she said. “Each piece was etched at The Hatchery located right here on campus [in the Raether Library and Information Technology Center], creating a keepsake connecting today’s honorees to generations of scholars who came before them.”
Dozens of student awards were presented by faculty and staff members representing academic departments and College offices. See the full list of Honors Day prizes and student recipients.
View and download photos of the award recipients.
A video recording of the ceremony is below.
Julianna Boris ’26 has been awarded a Fulbright grant to serve as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Taiwan, combining her academic interests with her passions for teaching and cross-cultural connection.
Eight senior computer science majors working with Trinity’s Elting Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship spent the spring semester working with business and community partners to develop new uses of artificial intelligence.
Trinity students presented their original research as part of a daylong symposium hosted on campus by the Hartford-based Stowe Center for Literary Activism.
Susan A. Masino, Paul E. Raether Distinguished Professor of Applied Science, will deliver a talk at the Connecticut Science Center on Saturday, April 25, before a screening of the documentary film, Proforestation: Letting Forests Grow Old.
