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Achievement Awards

UC Berkeley and the Cal Alumni Association congratulate the recipients of the Achievement Awards—a collaboration between the Cal Alumni Association and the university to celebrate members of the UC Berkeley community who are pushing the edges of what’s possible. Recipients are formally presented with their awards at the annual Berkeley Charter Gala.

The 2024 recipients will be formally presented with their awards at the Berkeley Charter Gala on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Learn more about the Achievement Awards.

2024 Achievement Award Recipients

ALUM OF THE YEAR AWARD
William T. Whitaker, Jr. M.J. ’16

BERKELEY FOUNDERS AWARD
Kathy Kwan ’87, M.B.A. ’93, M.P.H. ’93

CAMPANILE EXCELLENCE IN ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Carrie Lozano ’96, M.J. ’05
Jennifer S. Madden ’94, J.D. ’97

FIAT LUX FACULTY AWARD
Omar Yaghi

MARK BINGHAM AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ACHIEVEMENT BY YOUNG ALUMNI
Chloë Allaire Cozima Koslo ’19

About the Alumni Achievement Awards

Since 1943, the Cal Alumni Association has recognized outstanding achievements and service of Cal alumni through annual awards. Past recipients of the Achievement Awards are listed below.

ALUM OF THE YEAR AWARD
Honors a prominent alum who exemplifies the very best of Berkeley, whose professional leadership and contributions have led to extraordinary advances that benefit the greater good of society, who gives back to the community and university, and who inspires others in their careers and personal lives. One award will be given each year.
Past Recipients of the Alum of the Year Award

BERKELEY FOUNDERS AWARD
Celebrates an alum or friend who has given long-term distinguished leadership and service to a broad range of academic, athletic, philanthropic, and other programs across the university. One award will be given each year.
Past Recipients of the Berkeley Founders Award

CAMPANILE EXCELLENCE IN ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Recognizes an alum whose remarkable professional achievements reflect the excellence of a UC Berkeley education. A maximum of two awards will be given each year.
Past Recipients of the Campanile Excellence in Achievement Award

FIAT LUX FACULTY AWARD
Awards a faculty member whose extraordinary contributions go above and beyond the call of duty to advance the university’s philanthropic mission and transform its research, teaching, and programs. One award will be given each year.
Past Recipients of the Fiat Lux Faculty Award

MARK BINGHAM AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ACHIEVEMENT BY YOUNG ALUMNI
Commends a young alum who graduated within the last 10 years who has made a significant contribution to their community, country, or the world at large. This award pays tribute to Mark Bingham ’93, who died on September 11, 2001, defending the United States on United Airlines Flight 93. A maximum of two awards will be given each year.
Past Recipients of the Mark Bingham Award for Excellence in Achievement by Young Alumni

More Alumni Achievements

awardees at cal black alumni association gala Led by President Cheryl Wright (second from left) and Vice President Marlon McWilson (far right), the Cal Black Alumni Association celebrated (l-r) five distinguished honorees: Tarik Glenn Sr. ’99, Camryn Rogers ’23, H. Michael Williams ’82, Relonda McGhee ’16, and Brian McGhee ’89. Christian Ford / Cal Black Alumni Association
Chapters

Cal Black Alumni Association Hosts Inaugural Black Alumni Gala & Awards Ceremony

By Cheryl Wright ’83, President, Cal Black Alumni Association

Under the theme Black Opulence: A Winter’s Eve, the evening was a breathtaking celebration of the rich history, achievements, and enduring legacy of Cal Black Alumni—visionaries, leaders, and trailblazers across industries. Alumni spanning generations—from the Class of 1961 to the Class of 2024—gathered to honor one another as changemakers shaping the future and paving the […]

UC Berkeley campus scene at sunset
Honors

Honoring the 2024 Achievement Award Recipients

The University honors these alumni and faculty with the Achievement Awards, co-presented by the UC Berkeley Foundation and the Cal Alumni Association. These awards were formally presented at the Berkeley Charter Gala, on Thursday, May 16, 2024.

Jim Bundschu ’66. Jim Bundschu ’66. / Courtesy Jim Bundschu / Gundlach Bundschu Winery
Honors

Agricultural Economics Alum’s Wines Named to Wine Enthusiast’s 2023 Top 100 List

In 1966, Jim Bundschu graduated from Cal with a degree in agricultural economics and a desire to revive his family’s vineyards.