Valedictorian Madeline Smith ’26, a Biology and Asian Studies double-major with minors in Chemistry and Japanese Studies, was honored as the 2026 winner of the H.W. Murray Medal for Scholarship.

RMC’s highest academic honor, the H. W. Murray Medal for Scholarship was established in 1889 by legacy of Mrs. W. T. Goodwin of Louisa County, Va., in memory of her father. It is awarded to the member of the graduating class who holds the highest cumulative grade point average. Smith held a remarkable 4.26 GPA upon graduation.

“I am extremely thankful for the support and encouragement of RMC’s faculty and staff, as well as that of my family and friends,” Smith said. “To all of my professors, especially the dedicated mentors with whom I conducted research, thank you for your time, your kindness, and your investment in me.”

Smith was a prolific researcher during her time at RMC, collaborating with faculty members across the Biology department on a variety of topics. That research culminated with work in the lab of Dr. Melanie Gubbels Bupp studying the redirection of T cells to the bone marrow in malnourished mice, which she published as a co-first author in Biology Open.

Smith was an inducted member in the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society, as well as Phi Lambda Upsilon (Chemistry honor society), the Japanese National Honor Society, and Beta Beta Beta (Biology honor society). She also served as a tutor for multiple subjects in the Higgins Academic Center and performed as part of the Japanese Festival Music Team.

Smith is now continuing her education in the Georgetown University-National Institutes of Health Graduate Partnerships Program, pursuing a Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology.