Provost’s Prize 2026 awarded to three students
Established in 2018, the Provost’s Prize recognises those students who make a significant contribution to the College community during their time at King’s. This year’s winners are graduate student Aoife O’Flynn (Psychology), graduating student Beni Warner (HSPS) and second-year Engineering undergraduate Dil Patel.
They received the award with the following citations:
In her time as an undergraduate and now a PhD student, Aoife O’Flynn has been an exceptionally active member of the College community, embracing many opportunities. An asset to College music, she has lent her talents to King’s Voices, the KWMG choir, and as a cellist for KCMS. Whether serving as a KCSU officer, participating in the Summer Research Programme, or volunteering at the Festival of 50 Years of Women at King’s, Aoife is always a positive presence. Earlier this year, she surprised the Archivist by sharing hundreds of photos of College life she has been taking since her first year. Quietly capturing everything from the wildflower meadow and Chapel events to the Art Rooms, Library revision sessions, and Super Halls, Aoife has beautifully summarised and preserved what student life at King’s has been over the last five years.
On receiving her prize Aoife said:
I am so, so lucky I found a home at King's. It's a privilege to give my all for a place that gives me something new every day, and a joy to share it with absolutely wonderful friends. I'm honoured that my contributions to College life, however small, have been meaningful enough to be recognised.
Nominated by a number of Fellows for his wide-ranging impact, Beni Warner has made a generous contribution to the public life of the College. As KCSU President for the academic year 2025/26, Beni faced a number of complex challenges with great intellectual energy, open-mindedness, sensitivity, and patience. He showed remarkable judgment and skill in navigating between strongly felt student concerns, engagement with the student body, and working collaboratively with Fellow members on Council to balance a variety of high-stakes issues. Having also steered the KCSU through the significant process of transitioning to its new JCR, Beni has shaped important aspects of the workings of the College to a degree that very few students ever have.
In just his second year, Dil Patel has been instrumental in setting up and and efficiently running societies and events. In his work as joint Junior Treasurer of the KCSU, Dil used great ingenuity to support the billing method in the KiFoMaSy booking system, successfully opening student Formals up to postgraduates as well as undergraduates. His reliability, organisation, and calm judgment made him the perfect fit for the serious responsibility of serving as Co-head of Security for the King’s Affair. Unseen work is a hallmark of Dil's contribution; he single-handedly set up the new King’s College Engineering Society, serving as its first President, and can always be relied upon to get stuck in and help organise College social events. A brilliant ambassador for the King’s College Bridging Programme, Dil also represents King's on the University stage, serving as Secretary of the Cambridge University Taekwondo Team, as well as being Club and Men's Captain last year. Dil was also the College Representative for the Varsity Ski Trip.