Senior Letterwinners' Dinner
The Senior Letterwinners’ Dinner is an annual celebration of the student-athletes in the graduating senior class held on the eve of commencement -- typically it is the only time all student-athletes from the class gather together under one roof.
This year's SLD was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making it a global celebration of the Class of 2020. The HVC recruited Treavor Scales '13, host of ESPN's SportsCenter on Snapchat, as well as several special guests who joined the broadcast to help make it a night our student-athletes would never forget.
7 National Championships
3 Individual National Titles
39 Conference Championships
8 Academic All-Americans
47 All-Americans
3 Phi Beta Kappa Inductees
2 Fulbright Scholars
1 Rhodes Scholar
2 Hoopes Prize Recipients
This was our chance to say THANK YOU for everything they have contributed to the Harvard community, and for upholding the ideals of Harvard Athletics -- PRINCIPLED LEADERSHIP. ACADEMIC INTEGRATION. COMPETITIVE EXCELLENCE.
The Radcliffe Prize
This award was first established in 1975. It is awarded annually to that senior woman letterwinner who, through outstanding ability on the playing field and dedication to her sport or sports and qualities of leadership, best reflects the purposeful achievement of Radcliffe Alumnae in every field around the world. This prize is presented to our most outstanding female athlete.
Presented by Angela Ruggiero '02-'04 (women's hockey), the 2004 Radcliffe Prize Recipient
Finalists
Robyn Beese, co-captain of women's rugby. A Government concentrator and All-American. Robyn’s try against Army West Point helped her team win the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association National Championship.
Mike Dahlke, tri-captain of women's swimming & diving. An Applied Mathematics concentrator and All-American. Miki is the Ivy League Career High-Point Swimmer with 25 All-Ivy League honors, holds nine school records, and helped her team to two Ivy League titles.
Simi Fajemisin, women's track & field. A History and Literature concentrator and All-American. Simi is a two-time Heptagonal Championships Outstanding Performer and five-time Ivy League champion, owns three school records, and helped her team to three Ivy League titles.
Gina Kennedy, co-captain of women's squash. A Psychology concentrator and three-time Ramsay Cup winner as the individual national champion. Gina is a four-time All-American, four-time All-Ivy League selection, and helped her team to four-straight College Squash Association national championships.
Bente van Vlijmen, co-captain of field hockey. An Economics concentrator and four-time All-American. Bente is a two-time offensive Ivy League Player of the Year, Ivy League Rookie of the Year, four-time All-Ivy League selection, and helped her team win two Ivy League titles.
Recipient
The William J. Bingham '16 Award
First awarded in 1954, this award is given annually to that male member of the graduating class of Harvard College who, through integrity, courage, leadership, and ability on the athletic fields, has best served the high purpose of Harvard as exemplified by the late William J. Bingham ’16, former Director of Athletics. This award is presented to our most outstanding male athlete.
Presented by Ryan Fitzpatrick '05 (football), the 2005 Bingham Award Recipient
Finalists
Daniel Chang, co-captain of men's swimming & diving. An Engineering Sciences concentrator and the Ivy League Career High-Point Swimmer. Daniel is an All-American, a four-time All-Ivy League selection, school record holder, and helped his team to four-straight Ivy League titles.
Matt Cvrtlik, co-captain of men's volleyball. An Economics concentrator and All-American. Mat is a three-time All-Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association honoree and helped lead his team to its first conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.
Jake Suddelson, baseball. A History concentrator and Ivy League Player of the Year. Jake is a two-time All-Ivy League selection and helped his team to an Ivy League title.
Kieran Tuntivate, cross country/track & field. An Economics concentrator and three-time All-American. Kieran was twice named the Heptagonal Championships Male Athlete of the Meet, is a five-time Ivy League champion, and helped his team win the NCAA Cross Country Northeast Regional.
Recipient
"At the Varsity Club we have a motto, 'Your Team For Life,' and that could not be more important than it is today."
Johanna Boynton '88 (women's hockey), President of the Harvard Varsity Club
The John P. Reardon '60 Men's Award
Established in 1987, this award is named in honor of John P. Reardon, Jr., ’60, Director of Athletics from 1977 to 1990. This prize is presented annually to the senior varsity male athlete who exemplifies the qualities of excellent scholarship, character, leadership, and athletic ability -- in short, our top male scholar-athlete. Nominations for this award come solely from Faculty Deans, Senior Tutors or Resident Deans.
Finalists
Timmy Brownell, co-captain of men's squash. An Economics concentrator and College Squash Association Scholar-Athlete who plans to pursue a professional squash career and attend business school. Timmy helped guide his team to two national championships while earning two All-America honors and three All-Ivy League selections.
Connor Sakmar, wrestling. A History concentrator who interned at Harvard Law School and plans to attend law school himself. Connor was a member of the Pforzheimer House committee and Pfoho representative to the Senior Class Committee.
Kieran Tuntivate, men's cross country/track & field. An Economics concentrator and three-time All-American. Kieran was twice named the Heptagonal Championships Male Athlete of the Meet, is a five-time Ivy League champion, and helped his team win the NCAA Cross Country Northeast Regional.
Recipient
The Harvard-Radcliffe Foundation for Women's Athletics Prize
Established by the Harvard-Radcliffe Foundation for Women’s Athletics (HRFWA), this prize was first presented in 1986 and is awarded annually to the senior woman who best exemplifies the qualities of excellent scholarship, character, leadership, and athletic ability -- in short, our top female scholar-athlete. Nominations for this award come solely from Faculty Deans, Senior Tutors or Resident Deans.
Finalists
Chloe Close, tri-captain of women's swimming & diving. An Applied Mathematics concentrator who plans to pursue a graduate degree in mathematics. Chloe served as a teaching fellow and peer tutor while helping her team win two Ivy League titles.
Maya Miklos, women's track & field. A Physics and Mathematics concentrator planning to pursue a PhD in Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics. Maya helped her team to three Ivy titles while winning four individual championships, was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, and has been published in The Astrophysical Journal.
Grace Roberts-Burbank, women's volleyball. A Sociology concentrator who participated in the Coach for College program. Grace is a two-time All-Ivy League selection and the recipient of the Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Fellowship.
Recipient
"I want to thank you for making the University look good in victory and in defeat, and for reminding your peers and everyone at Harvard and across the League what it looks like to be devoted to excellence in mind and in body."
Lawrence S. Bacow, President of Harvard University
The Francis H. Burr '09 Scholarship
Presented by Lawrence S. Bacow, President of Harvard University
First awarded in 1918, this award is a scholarship fund established in memory of Francis H. Burr '09 by his friends. It is awarded to the senior man and woman “who combine as nearly as possible, Burr’s remarkable qualities of character, leadership, scholarship, and athletic ability.”
Female Finalists
Zoe Hughes, women's track & field. A Neuroscience concentrator who will be pursuing a graduate degree in global health at Duke before attending medical school. Zoe is an All-American, four-time Ivy League champion, and helped her team win three Ivy titles while volunteering in hospitals in Africa and South America.
Molly Lesser, co-captain of women's lightweight crew. An Integrative Biology concentrator who will be attending Columbia Medical School. Molly was a board member of Harvard University Health Services’ HealthPALS, recipient of the College Rowing Coaches Association’s National Scholar Athlete Award, and helped her team win an Eastern Sprints title.
Sarah Lipson, women's rugby. A Gender and Sexuality Studies concentrator planning to pursue a master’s degree in social sciences before completing an MD-PhD. Sarah led medical research at Massachusetts General Hospital while earning induction into Phi Beta Kappa and helping her team win the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association National Championship.
Maya Miklos, women's track & field. A Physics and Mathematics concentrator who will be pursuing a PhD in Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics. Maya helped her team to three Ivy titles while winning four event championships, was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, and has been published in The Astrophysical Journal.
Female Recipient
Male Finalists
Timmy Brownell, co-captain of men's squash. An Economics concentrator and College Squash Association Scholar-Athlete who plans to pursue a professional squash career and attend business school. Timmy helped guide his team to two national championships while earning two All-America honors and three All-Ivy League selections.
Lars Hornburg, alpine skiing. An Environmental Science and Public Policy concentrator who has earned two U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association All-Academic selections. Lars has pursued his academic interests at the Kennedy School of Government and Chan School of Public Health, and has conducted research for the Harvard College Conservation Society.
Connor Sakmar, wrestling. A History concentrator who interned at Harvard Law School and plans to attend law school himself. Connor was a member of the Pforzheimer House committee and Pfoho representative to the Senior Class Committee.
Male Recipient
The Mary G. Paget Prize
The Mary G. Paget Prize is awarded annually by the presidents of Radcliffe and Harvard in honor of Mary Guest Paget’s many years of service as Director of Sports, Dance and Recreation at Radcliffe College. The prize was first established in 1975 and is awarded each year to the senior student who has contributed the most to women’s athletics.
Finalists
Maddie Earle, field hockey. A Neurobiology concentrator and Co-President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Maddie served on the Faculty Standing Committee on Athletics, co-founded the Women of Harvard Athletics, and helped establish the Student-Athlete Wellness Leader program.
Olivia Ostrover, field hockey. A History and Science concentrator and co-chair of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s athlete outreach committee. Olivia Co-Founded the Women of Harvard Athletics and led Harvard’s One Love initiative to bring awareness to healthy relationships on college campuses.
Meg Tveit, co-captain of women's soccer. A Neurobiology concentrator and peer advising fellow. Meg represented the Ivy League at the NCAA’s Student-Athlete Leadership Forum and is a recipient of the Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Fellowship.
Recipients
"For four years you've challenged yourself on and off the field, and in the process you've grown as individuals, teammates and leaders."
Claudine Gay, The Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences
The Francis J. Toland Community Service Award
Presented by Claudine Gay, The Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences
This award was created in honor of former Senior Associate Director of Athletics Fran Toland, who retired in 2000 after 41 years of service to Harvard Athletics. The award is presented to the senior athlete who has made the most outstanding contribution to Harvard and its neighboring communities.
"It's been our pleasure to have you as students and athletes here at Harvard. We hope the lessons you've learned by participating in sports will serve you well in the years ahead."
Bob Scalise, John D. Nichols '53 Family Director of Athletics
"The world could not be more lucky to receive this group of capable and diligent student-athletes."
Dr. Magda Robak '12, the 2012 Boland Award Recipient
The Arthur L. Boland Award
Presented by Dr. Magda Robak '12, the 2012 Boland Award Recipient
This award was established in 2010 by the Department of Athletics to honor Arthur Boland, MD in commemoration of his 40 years of dedicated service to Harvard Athletics. The award is presented each year to a senior varsity athlete who will be attending medical school and who best exemplifies those characteristics and qualities which have been the hallmark of Dr. Art Boland’s care for Harvard athletes.
Finalists
Molly Lesser, co-captain of women's lightweight crew. An Integrative Biology concentrator who will be attending Columbia Medical School. Molly was a board member of Harvard University Health Services’ HealthPALS, recipient of the College Rowing Coaches Association’s National Scholar Athlete Award, and helped her team win an Eastern Sprints title.
Sarah Lipson, women's rugby. A Gender and Sexuality Studies concentrator planning to pursue a master’s degree in social sciences before completing an MD-PhD. Sarah led medical research at Massachusetts General Hospital while earning induction into Phi Beta Kappa and helping her team win the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association National Championship.
Recipient
The Carroll F. Getchell Manager of the Year Award
In 1981, the Committee on Athletics voted to name the Manager of the Year Award, established in 1972, for the late Carroll F. Getchell, long-time business manager in the Department of Athletics. Each year the Department recognizes that manager in the senior class “who has best displayed integrity, courage, leadership, and ability” during his/her years of participation.
Finalists
Brendan Connolly, baseball. An Economics concentrator and four-year member of the program. Brendan assisted with data collection and video coordination, and oversaw the managerial staff.
David Gonzalez, men's lightweight crew. An Economics concentrator and four-year member of the program as both a student-athlete and manager. David assisted with training and practice films, and rowing technique.
Paul Marino, men's hockey. A Statistics concentrator and four-year member of the program. Paul managed video analytics while assisting with logistical planning and coordination.
Recipient
The John P. Fadden Award
This award was established in 1966 in honor of the late John P. Fadden’s service as an athletic trainer and friend to Harvard athletes for many years. The award is given annually to a senior student (Varsity, JV or Intramural) who has overcome physical adversity to make a contribution to his/her team.
Finalists
Chase Howard, co-captain of men's volleyball. An Environmental Science and Public Policy concentrator who helped his team to the 2018 Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association championship. Injuries cost Chase his junior season but he returned to the court this year to earn all-conference honors.
Emily Prentice, co-captain of women's rugby. A Human Evolutionary Biology concentrator who missed a year-and-a-half due to injuries. Emily returned to help her team win the Ivy 7’s championship last spring and the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association National Championship this fall.
Grant Stone, baseball. A History and Literature concentrator who served as Vice President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Grant missed most of his sophomore and junior seasons before being cleared for baseball activities this March.
Recipient
Congratulations,
Class of 2020
Harvard Varsity Club
The Harvard Varsity Club has been instrumental to the success of Harvard Athletics since it was founded in 1886. The Varsity Club preserves the traditions, fosters the ideals, and advances the interests of Harvard Athletics through a wide range of activities for its 30,000+ members. The annual Senior Letterwinners' Dinner, established in 1967 to honor the contributions of the outgoing senior class, is one example of the many functions provided by the Varsity Club.