This spring, four seniors in the College of Letters & Science were selected for the esteemed Dean’s Prize. These spring graduates embody the breadth and depth of a liberal arts education and the Wisconsin Experience by being beacons of empathy and humility, relentless curiosity, intellectual confidence and purposeful action. Nominees must have at least a 3.75 cumulative GPA and 20 completed Honors credits. Recipients received $1,500 and a plaque presented by L&S Dean Eric M. Wilcots — currently serving as interim chancellor for UW–Madison — at the L&S Honors Commencement Reception on May 8. Dean’s Prize recipients were also invited to share remarks during the L&S Honors Commencement program.
Grace Benish
Grace Benish (’26) is from Reedsburg, Wisconsin, and graduated this spring, completing a Bachelor of Science degree in neurobiology with Honors and Honors in the liberal arts. Benish has extensive research experience working in Assistant Professor Andre Sousa’s lab studying neurodevelopment and evolution and has also conducted studies on intercultural and community health in northern Chile through the School for International Training. She has presented her work in both Madison and in Chile. Benish was a campus finalist for both the Rhodes and Marshall scholarships. She also received a Hilldale Undergraduate Research Fellowship and is a recipient of numerous awards and grants.
Since 2023, Benish has served as a volunteer and tutor at Centro Hispano and in local schools. Her commitment to this local organization and to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) have been an important part of her time at UW–Madison. She has been recognized by both organizations for her exceptional dedication.
“Grace demonstrates empathy and humility through her awareness of the space she is entering as a volunteer,” says Andy Morales Plata, the Escalera Program Coordinator at Centro Hispano. “She understands she is working in a community she will not fully experience herself, and she responds by centering students and meeting them where they are. Rather than trying to lead or dictate, she supports the space and allows it to guide her role. This approach has made her deeply respected by both students and coordinators.”
Benish also serves as a certified nursing assistant, patient safety attendant and regular blood donor. For fun, Benish enjoys playing basketball as a treasurer and captain of the University of Wisconsin Women’s Basketball Club program. This fall, she will attend the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health as part of the Wisconsin Academy of Rural Medicine. As a physician, Benish hopes to continue living and working in Wisconsin, practicing in a small town like the one she grew up in.
Zoe Kukla
Zoe Kukla (’26) is from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and graduated this spring with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in history and political science, with certificates in African American studies and public policy. She also completed Honors in the liberal arts. Kukla’s portfolio of professional experience and civic engagement include working as a science communicator studying the grouping of English language learners, constructing databases for the Erikson Institute for Early Childhood Development and serving as an intern and the first digital community organizer for the Michigan Executive Office of the Governor.
“Zoe is known for the thoughtfulness she pours into every project she undertakes,” says Angel Boshea, executive assistant to the Office of the Governor of Michigan. “Her creativity and attention to detail were clear when I watched her help to bring the award-winning ‘Governor Barbie’ social media campaign to life. The project, featured in The New York Times, reached over 5 million impressions. It demonstrated her wit, savvy, and creativity in communicating public policy in ways people could understand and engage with. … Zoe will undoubtedly continue to improve lives with her light.”
Kukla has been a leader on both the national and international levels; serving as one of five American students selected to attend the 2026 Brussels European Forum where she served as a student journalist. She was a UW–Madison finalist for both the Rhodes and Truman scholarships. Kukla also received an Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service from the Obama Foundation, which she used to study approaches to improving literacy in foreign countries to develop an evidence-based proposal for U.S. schools.
“Zoe is public service-minded in every job she’s ever had and continues to work for betterment of children’s media in myriad ways,” says Yoshiko M. Herrera, a professor of political science.
Locally, Kukla is a member and advocate for the Wisconsin Black Student Union, served as a notetaker for the McBurney Disability Resource Center, wrote for The Daily Cardinal and plays as a violist in the All-University Strings Orchestra. After graduation, Kukla became the social media lead for the Wisconsin
Secretary of State, Sarah Godlewski, during her bid for Lieutenant Governor. Kukla loves using her creative talents to engage and educate and would like to continue doing just that in the world of public children’s media.
Amitabha Shatdal
Amitabha Shatdal (’26) is from Madison, Wisconsin, and graduated this spring with comprehensive Honors in applied math, engineering and physics; computer sciences; economics; and mathematics. Although early graduation was an option for him, he chose instead to pursue a rigorous (and delightful) path that continuously challenged him.
Shatdal is a Letters & Science representative for the Associated Students of Madison and an elected representative to the Student Services Finance Committee. Last year he was selected as one of 20 students nationwide to serve as a Key into Public Service Scholar with the national office of Phi Beta Kappa. He has participated in several internships and research opportunities including intensive work with the National Security Agency in the Department of Defense, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and Johnson Controls. He also participated in the Federal Reserve’s College Fed Challenge and the Fiscal Challenge where his teams made it to the semi-finals both times.
Although rigorously educated in the sciences, Shatdal’s passion for policy, common purpose and the public good stand out, especially as the lead organizer for the Wisconsin Idea Conference.
“Amitabha’s efforts, through planning the Wisconsin Idea Conference for three years, have resulted in nearly 100 students learning how to write policy memoranda and getting their work published,” says Signe Janoska-Bedi, attorney and UW–Madison lecturer in legal studies. “These publications come from a wide range of students with very different backgrounds. Amitabha has remained committed to finding ways to allow as many students as possible to participate in the event.”
Shatdal plans to pursue a career combining entrepreneurship, technology and service to connect with people who care, whether that be about policy, travel, history, technology or simply connecting over what matters. His most recent creation is Bucky Board, a one-stop-shop for students to find events, textbooks, housing, jobs and more. After graduation, he continues to develop Bucky Board with the hope of creating a more connected campus community here at UW–Madison.
Niha Patankar
Niha Patankar (’25) is from Madison, Wisconsin, and graduated in the fall of 2025 earning a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry with Honors, music performance, political science and Honors in the liberal arts. Patankar served as an undergraduate researcher in the Gumperz Lab for four years. She is currently working on a paper to publish her project’s findings. Patankar worked as a peer advisor for the Department of Biochemistry. Patankar is also the recipient of a Hilldale Undergraduate Research Fellowship and Biochemistry Fellowship in addition to many other awards.
Patankar served as president for both the UW–Madison chapters of the American Cancer Society and American Medical Students Association. Since 2022, Patankar has been a leader on the executive board and in many other roles for Kesem (Madison), which supports children through their parent’s cancer journey by providing year-round services and annual summer camps.
Her study of the performing arts, the sciences and social sciences exemplify the breadth and uniqueness of a Letters & Science education. In addition to her outstanding record of science-related accomplishments, Patankar is an opera singer. She has performed extensively at UW–Madison, including in UW–Madison Opera’s production of Le Nozze di Figaro as well as singing the National Anthem at the Fall 2025 graduation ceremony. In addition, she has training as a Hindustani classical vocalist.
According to Mimmi Fulmer, a professor in the Mead Witter School of Music, Patankar not only displays “heartfelt commitment to coordinating the technical, artistic and intellectual facets of singing” but was also “proactive in seeking out music by underrepresented composers and performing this music in our studio class and recitals, leading to increased awareness by other students of less-known repertoire.”
Patankar is currently working as a medical assistant and plans to pursue an MD-PhD to become a physician scientist. She hopes to one day lead translational research that bridges the gap between lab-based scientific research and patient care.