IPN Student Awards
Zachary Colon, former IPN student government member and former MCGSO president, speaks after receiving the inaugural IPN Student Person for Others Award, October 2025. By the podium are organizers, from left: former IPN President Anna Pearson, IPN Awards Committee Chair Mia Coutinho, and Senior Senator Rahul Gurram Thimugarri.
The IPN Student Awards Program is a student-led initiative to recognize peers and faculty who embody the values of the IPN, Georgetown, and the Jesuit tradition. It is rooted in values like cura personalis, mentorship, academic curiosity, and community-building.
Each year, IPN students and faculty will be invited to submit nominations for awards by providing the nominee’s name and a description of how the nominee meets the criteria for an award. After nominees accept their nominations, the IPN students vote for a nominee in each category. Winners are chosen based on the student vote and the award committee’s review.
Award Categories
Spirit of the IPN Award
This award celebrates an IPN student who uplifts the IPN community from within, demonstrating exceptional peer mentorship, collaboration, and/or internal leadership. Recipients will have contributed meaningfully to program culture, demonstrated clear intra-IPN contributions such as community-building, peer mentorship, internal leadership roles, or program support.
IPN Student Person for Others Award
This award honors a student whose leadership and service extend beyond IPN by spearheading and advancing the common good at Georgetown University more broadly and/or in other communities through interdisciplinary action and volunteerism. The recipient will have demonstrated clear commitment to broad community service, science communication, advancing inclusivity, advocacy, and/or broader campus engagement.
IPN Faculty Magis Award
This award recognizes a faculty member who exemplifies a deep commitment to student growth. Recipients will have demonstrated sincere interest and meaningful engagement in student growth, through both formal and informal support. The recipient’s impact, mentorship or leadership have left a lasting impact on students.
Winners of the inaugural IPN Student Awards, from left: Rebekah Evans (IPN Faculty Magis Award), Matthew Nelson (Spirit of the IPN Award) and Zachary Colon (IPN Student Person for Others Award)
Award Winners
2025
Spirit of the IPN Award: Matthew Nelson
IPN Student Person for Others Award: Zachary Colon
IPN Faculty Magis Award: Rebekah Evans