Sir Ernest Ryder Hosts Master’s Prizes for 2022

Last month, College Fellows and staff gathered together for Pembroke’s first annual Commemoration Dinner. This event honoured those who had left Governing Body, welcomed new fellows, and celebrated the students who have won the 2022 Master’s Prizes.

The Master’s Prizes were awarded to students who have exhibited outstanding leadership, either within or outside the College community, during the course of 2021. Nominations were considered from the JCR, the MCR, Governing Body Fellows, Academics and support staff. This year’s winners, Chimdi Okpalauko, Hugo Yeung, Ariff Castronovo, Carolina Valensise and Dani Coyle were all awarded certificates by the Master and a significant monetary prize. The prizes are generously sponsored by an alumnus.

Chimdi Okpalauko has been recognised for her commitment to the unfair job of advocating for and representing Black students in Oxford, both as Vice-President of the Oxford Afro-Caribbean Society, and as a part of BlackPembroke.

Hugo Yeung was nominated by his DPhil supervisor for his academic excellence in his interdisciplinary work at the interface of brain image analysis, deep learning, biomedical engineering and obstetrics. During the lockdown he stepped into the added role of teaching and helping other students at the most difficult times during the lockdown.

Ariff Castronovo was JCR President during 2020-21, an unprecedently difficult challenge with lockdowns and all manner of restrictions to contend with. He worked tirelessly alongside staff and Governing Body to protect and nurture our indomitable community spirit, leading by example all the time.

Carolina Valensise has exhibited invaluable leadership across College and University life, in sports, welfare and academia. She has been president and captain of various groups and teams, responsible for the safety and wellbeing of over 450 medical students as President of Osler House, as well as managing sports teams, medical societies, and tutoring 4th year medical students at Pembroke and medical school applicants from underrepresented backgrounds. 

Dani Coyle was nominated for her advocacy for the Intersex community in Oxford and beyond and for her role in making Pembroke a welcoming community for all, regardless of gender. Dani has been profiled in the media for her work in education and advocacy, and produces a podcast to spread awareness and celebrate the successes of the intersex community.

Sir Ernest Ryder shared: “We have much to be proud of in our student community, and I very much look forward to seeing what the future holds for these young leaders.”