Annika Kuleba named the 2022 Presidential Medalist

At this year’s Academic Recognition Dinner earlier this week, the Sweet Briar community celebrated the students who have been named to the Dean’s List and the First Year Honors List. We also announced one very special award: the 2022 Presidential Medal.

The Presidential Medal is awarded to a senior who has demonstrated exemplary intellectual achievement, in addition to distinction in some or all of the following areas:

• Service to the community

• Contributions to the arts

• Enlargement of the College’s global perspective

• Athletic fitness and achievement

• Leadership and contributions to community discourse

During the recognition dinner, President Meredith Woo announced that this year’s Presidential Medalist is Annika Kuleba ’22.

“Annika is the epitome of the Sweet Briar woman who does it all and does it well,” shared President Woo.  “If I could use one word to describe her and her many accomplishments in her four years at Sweet Briar, it would be ‘stellar.’ For Annika is truly a star who shines her light on our community, making it a better place for everyone.”

Annika has achieved a great deal in her four years at Sweet Briar. She is a leader in the classroom and around the campus who brings a passion for agriculture and sustainability to everything she does. She is a double major in environmental science and economics and conducted research on climate change in the Honors Summer Research Program, which she is pursuing for her Senior Honors Thesis in environmental science. She will be the first student to complete Sweet Briar’s new Leadership Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems.

In her role as lead student beekeeper and as president of the Sustainability Club, Annika has been a key partner with faculty in building student programs around the apiary and around sustainability. She belongs to several honor societies and her other campus activities include serving as the treasurer for the Class of 2022, being an admissions ambassador and an orientation leader, and helping organize fund drives on behalf of local charitable organizations. Annika also excelled as a varsity golfer and was named the ODAC Women’s Golf Sportswoman of the Year in 2021.

Annika is currently pursuing employment and graduate school opportunities in natural resources, sustainable agriculture, and pollinator conservation.

Congratulations to Annika and to each and every student on the Dean’s List and First Year Honors List!