A UW School of Environmental and Forest Sciences graduate has been named the winner of the prestigious UW President’s Medal for 2021 and appointed as the 2021 Gonfaloniere for the College of the Environment.

Esaac Mazengia graduated last week with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science & Terrestrial Management (ESRM). He also served as the undergraduate student speaker for the SEFS Commencement.

President’s Medalist

The Awards of Excellence, which includes the President’s Medals, honor UW students, faculty, staff and alumni who go above and beyond to make a significant and lasting impact on the world. From the thousands of undergraduate students at the University of Washington, three are selected each year for the prestigious President’s Medalist Award, and, for 2021, Esaac is one of them.

“Esaac arrived at the UW eager to immerse himself in environmental studies, and as an undergraduate he explored widely, from local landscapes to Costa Rica,” the Awards website reads. “As part of the Interdisciplinary Honors program, he developed his talents for collaboration, creativity and holistic thinking. Throughout his Husky Experience, he has sought and seized countless opportunities to learn, grow and lead. After graduation, he plans to serve in AmeriCorps in the National Park Service and to continue his study of equity and diversity in environmental policy.”

Guardian of Gonfalon

Esaac was also named the 2021 Gonfaloniere for the UW College of the Environment.

Each year the UW’s schools and colleges select students to lead their degree candidates during the commencement procession. These students are called gonfalonieres, because they carry the school’s gonfalon, a banner that hangs down from a crosspiece and bears that school’s name and symbol. Following tradition borrowed from the Italian Renaissance, the gonfalonieres represent some of the UW’s most accomplished students.

Alumni volunteers watch over the banners during the ceremony, so that the gonfalonieres can enjoy their graduation experience. These volunteers are called Gonfaloniere, and they have been part of graduation exercises for more than 20 years.

In the announcement about his appointment as a gonfaloniere, Esaac says:

“My hometown is Shoreline, Washington. I chose UW College of the Environment because of the great depth and breadth of the programs and classes on the environment that it offers, the world class faculty, and the opportunities to get engaged with undergraduate research.

“My accomplishments while at UW include: UW College of the Environment – 2021 Undergraduate Dean’s Medalist, SEFS Undergrad of the Year 2019-2020, UW Honors Dillman Scholarship, UW Dean’s List, 4-Yr Member of the ASUW Student Senate, Co-Chair of the CoEnv Student Advisory Council, Founder of the CoEnv Interdisciplinary Mentorship Program

“I would like to thank my family for always supporting me through my many different activities; my friends for keeping me energized; my professors for keeping me engaged and thinking; and my peers for always pushing me to do my best and make an impact.

“My advice to incoming students: Don’t let your perceived limitations be boundaries for what you decide to do. Challenge yourself in and out of the classroom and don’t be afraid of failure because it’s through failure and resurgence that we are able to grow into the fullest version of ourselves.”

Congratulations on all your accomplishments, Esaac!