Seven students have been named winners of the 2025 Allen Macy Dulles ’51 Spirit of Princeton Award, honoring Princeton University undergraduates for positive contributions to campus life. The award recognizes students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the undergraduate experience through dedicated efforts in student organizations, athletics, community service, religious life, residential life and the arts.
The selection committee received over 180 letters of nomination on behalf of outstanding undergraduate students. The Spirit of Princeton Award is sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students and has been given annually since 1995.
The 2025 Spirit of Princeton winners stand with Vice President for Campus Life W. Rochelle Calhoun (center). The seniors are from left to right: Leena Memon, Srista Tripathi, Venezia Garza, Issa Mudashiru, Jenna Elliott, Maddie Seltzer and Stephen Padlo.
The recipients of the Spirit of Princeton award are:
Jenna Elliott, a senior from Douglas, Massachusetts, is majoring in psychology with minors in neuroscience and philosophy. A member of Princeton’s Undergraduate Student Government (USG), Elliott has held multiple leadership roles supporting campus life. As student life chair, vice president of the Performing Arts Council and a program chair for the Princeton Student Events Committee, she contributed significantly to student engagement. Her commitment to service is evident through roles as coach and fellow for the Trenton Arts Program and in leadership for the Brooklyn College Success Program. She is also a residential college adviser and academics chair in Rockefeller College as well as a founding member for Princeton’s Psychology Society.
Venezia Garza, a senior from Los Angeles, is majoring in anthropology with a minor in Latino studies. She has made significant contributions to campus culture and community health initiatives during her time at Princeton. She served as president of the Más Flow Latin Dance Company and the Latine Medical Student Association. Garza established the Princeton chapter of National Alzheimer’s Buddies and the Henry J. Austin Health Connections program, building meaningful links with patients from Trenton, New Jersey. She is also a residential college adviser in Mathey College, a peer health adviser and an Orange Key tour guide.
Leena Memon, a senior from Paramus, New Jersey, is majoring in operations research and financial engineering with a minor in computer science and a certificate in technology and society. She is president of both the Muslim Students Association and the Society of Women Engineers. Her roles as a residential college adviser in Butler College, peer career adviser and co-chair of the Engineering Council demonstrate her commitment to mentoring fellow students. Her multifaceted campus involvement, which includes service on the USG Academics Committee, Community Action and the Undergraduate Energy Association, reflects her dedication to creating an inclusive and supportive campus environment.
Issa Mudashiru, a senior from Bethesda, Maryland, is concentrating in anthropology with a minor in global health and health policy. As a captain of the varsity men's soccer team, he led his teammates to victory in the 2021 Ivy League regular season championship and the 2024 Ivy League championship. Beyond athletics, he has served as vice president of the Black Premedical Society, mentored younger students through the Princeton University Mentoring Program and contributed to campus inclusion initiatives as a student intern at the Carl A. Fields Center for Equality and Cultural Understanding. His commitment to student wellness is evidenced by his role as a student athlete wellness leader and events volunteer with the Princeton Varsity Club. He is a member of Rockefeller College.
Stephen Padlo, a senior from Monroeville, New Jersey, is concentrating in ecology and evolutionary biology. As a residential college adviser in Yeh College and treasurer for the 2025 class government, he has demonstrated versatility in his campus involvement. His involvement extends to membership in the Princeton Birding Society and the club baseball team, while also participating in the Princeton Premedical Society, Princeton Student Events Committee, Aquinas Institute and the Canadian Students Association. His commitment to supporting fellow students is evident in his service as an Outdoor Action support leader and new student orientation committee member. His impact on his peers has been recognized by his selection as a finalist for the 2025 Young Alumni Trustee position.
Maddie Seltzer, a senior from Scarsdale, New York, is a sociology major pursuing a certificate in entrepreneurship. A three-time Ivy League champion with the varsity women's swimming and diving team, Seltzer is co-president of the Student Athlete Service Council and founder of the Jewish Student Athlete Collective. She has served as an athlete orientation leader, student-athlete wellness leader and national Team IMPACT fellow. Her commitment to Princeton extends beyond athletics to the alumni community through her roles as head manager of the 25th Reunion and Tiger Caller for Annual Giving. She is a member of Butler College.
Srista Tripathi, a senior from Richmond, Virginia, is concentrating in the School of Public and International Affairs with minors in South Asian studies and global Health and health policy. She is the former vice president and academics chair of the USG. Her artistic talents were leveraged through choreography and performances with Naacho Dance Company and Triple 8 Dance Company. Her interest in international relations extend beyond the classroom and is reflected in her roles as secretary of the International Relations Council and chief of staff for the Princeton Model United Nations Conference. She is also director of programming for Princeton Women in Medicine and volunteers with the American Cancer Society at Penn Medicine. She is a member of Forbes College.
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