Stellenbosch mathematics genius awarded Chancellor’s Medal

Stellenbosch University has awarded its top academic honour, the 2025 Chancellor’s Medal, to mathematics graduate Kerry Porrill, just a few weeks after she was named a recipient of the internationally coveted Rhodes Scholarship.

The Chancellor’s Medal, instituted in 1961, is presented annually to a final-year or postgraduate student who not only excels academically but also contributes meaningfully to campus life and demonstrates strong co-curricular development. Only one student receives the honour each year.

Ms Porrill, who graduated this week with a BSc Honours in Mathematics from the university's faculty of science, has maintained an extraordinary academic record. The university said she achieved marks of 90% or higher for more than half of her undergraduate modules, and at honours level, scored 100% for two modules, earning distinctions across the board.

In addition to her academic achievements, she is a co-author of a mathematical research paper titled Some structural aspects of the ring of arithmetical functions: Prime ideals and beyond.

She has also distinguished herself in both national and international mathematics competitions. Earlier this year, she placed joint 109th at the International Mathematics Competition for University Students in Bulgaria, and in 2024, she and a fellow Stellenbosch University student were ranked the third-best pair in the West Division of the Simon Marais Mathematics Competition.

Beyond competing, Porrill has played a significant role in developing young mathematical talent.

She served as South Africa’s team leader at the European Girls’ Mathematics Olympiad this year, was coordinator of the 2024 Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad, and acted as deputy leader for South Africa’s International Mathematics Olympiad teams in both 2024 and this year, according to the university.

Ms Porrill, who will begin postgraduate studies in mathematics at the University of Oxford next year, said receiving the Chancellor’s Medal was “unbelievable”.

“It is such a great honour. I am so honoured to receive this award,” she said.