As the academic year comes to a close, we proudly celebrate the achievements, resilience, and growth of the Class of 2026. Throughout their time here, these students embraced new challenges, pursued innovative ideas, and built lasting connections within our community. From research breakthroughs and classroom accomplishments to leadership and collaboration beyond campus, the Class of 2026 leaves a meaningful impact that will continue long after graduation. We congratulate this remarkable group of graduates and look forward to all they will accomplish in the years ahead.

The department celebrated this year’s graduates during a commencement reception held on May 20. Several students were recognized with departmental awards for outstanding academic achievement and service. A full list of CS award recipients can be found in this year’s graduation handout.

At this year’s PhD Symposium, students and faculty mentors reflected on years of research, collaboration, and shared milestones. The event offered a meaningful opportunity to celebrate accomplishments, reconnect over memories from the program, and wish graduates success in the next chapter of their careers.

2026 CS Award Winners

The department also recognized students whose contributions extended far beyond the classroom. This year’s award recipients were honored for exceptional academic achievement, impactful research, dedication to teaching and mentorship, and their efforts to strengthen and support the department community.

Jonathan L. Gross Award for Academic Excellence

This award was established in 2017 in honor of the much-loved Professor Emeritus Jonathan Gross. Each year, a cash gift is awarded to one graduating masters student and to one graduating senior from each of the four undergraduate schools served by the Department of Computer Science. 

• MS: Lixia Chen Wu 
• SEAS: Ming Gong
• BC:  Emily Burnett 
• CC: Polina Goldberg* 
• GS: Jasper Shen

* Who has also been selected as the Salutatorian of the Columbia College Class of 2026.

Computer Science Scholarship Award

A cash prize awarded to two B.A. and two B.S. degree candidates for outstanding academic achievement in computer science.

• SEAS:  Danielle Maydan** 
• SEAS:  Matthew Lou 
• CC: Clarence Liu 
• GS: Xiang Yu Tuang 

** Who has also been selected as the Valedictorian and Illig Award Winner of the Columbia Engineering Class of 2026.

Russell C. Mills Award

This annual award, established by the computer science department in 1992 in memory of Russell C. Mills, is a cash prize given to a computer science major who has exhibited excellence in the area of computer science.

• SEAS: Isabel Tu 
• CC: Yoonsuk Choi 
• SEAS: Maria Eleni Batatoudi 
• CC: Caden Lin 

Theodore R Bashkow Award

Presented to a computer science senior who has excelled in independent projects. This is awarded in honor of Professor Theodore R. Bashkow, whose contributions as a researcher, teacher, and consultant have significantly advanced the state of the art of computer science.

• SEAS: Janie Zhang 

Andrew P. Kosoresow Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching and Service

Awarded for outstanding contributions to teaching in the Department of Computer Science and exemplary service to the Department and its mission.

• SEAS: Carl von Bonin 
• SEAS: Kristy Martinez 
• SEAS: Sameer Colbert 
• PhD: Jeremy Klotz 
• SEAS: Robert Fornos 
• PhD:  William Pires 
• SEAS: Serena Wen 
• SEAS: Yahya Mohamed ElGawady 
• PhD: Miranda Christ 
• SEAS: Aarushi Sharma 
• SEAS: Sophie Abla Flore Agbekpenou 
• GS: Amit Aharoni

Behring Foundation Award

Awarded to undergraduate and/or graduate students enrolled at SEAS who are pursuing a degree in Computer Science that best exhibit academic excellence, have entrepreneurial interests, and possess leadership skills. Preference is given to students who have lived, worked, or studied in Brazil or other Latin American countries.

• SEAS: Lixia Chen Wu 

Davide Giri Memorial Prize

This award is given to a graduate student (PhD) in Computer Science who has combined excellence in research results with continued outstanding efforts to promote research collaboration

• Gaurav Jain 
• Wei Hao 

Paul Charles Michelman Memorial Award for Exemplary Departmental Service

This award is given in memory of Dr. Paul Michelman, 1993, who devoted himself to improving the Computer Science Department through service while excelling as a researcher

• Siyan Li 

PhD Service Award

This award is given to PhD students who demonstrate superior contributions to the community life of the Department of Computer Science

• Bettina Schlager 
• Tao Long 
• Melanie Sangita Subbiah
• Miranda Christ 
• Ziwei (Sara) Gong 
• Yixuan Wang 
• Shreyas Jayant Havaldar 
• Gaurav Jain 
• Wei Hao 
• Siyan Li