The F.T. Kidder Medal is presented to the senior student who best exemplifies the qualities of character, leadership, and scholarship. It is named in honor of Fred T. Kidder, a graduate of the class of 1880 and the College of Medicine in 1883, who later served on the University of Vermont Board of Trustees. The 2025 recipient of the Kidder Medal is Zane Zupan. 

A first-generation college student, Zane has elected to pursue three majors; Political Science, Sociology, and Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies, and one minor; Behavioral Change & Health Studies, and an accelerated master’s in public administration. In his letter endorsing Zane for the Truman Scholarship, Dean David Jenemann of the Leahy Honors College wrote “Zane has an encyclopedic knowledge of queer history-as someone who has taught the history of gender and sexual identity, I can attest that they have a knowledge base equal to that of scholars in the field.” 

Zane’s leadership and advocacy on campus has been wide and far reaching including, at the height of the Covid pandemic, bringing queer and trans students safely together in programs to build community, putting forth policy proposals to address food insecurity in the dorms and advocating for offsetting the costs of private rooms for transitioning students. 

Zane has been recognized for their leadership as a Truman Scholar and recognized at the Truman Leadership Week and elected student speaker by their fellow Scholars, a recognition of the respect they earned among a formidable group of young leaders. They have also been the recipient of the Pedro Zamora Scholarship, named after the renowned AIDS activist, and the Spirit of Dru Scholarship, which honors Drew Leinonen, a victim of the Pulse nightclub tragedy.

One nominator wrote that “As a leader, no issue is too small or too large for Zane… I’m utterly confident that Zane’s continued leadership will help create new worlds of possibility for marginalized peoples, and for all of us.” Zane has changed the culture of UVM’s campus by being a fierce advocate and standing up for what is right, even if it is hard stand to make. 

Reflecting on their UVM experience, Zane says that “No system is too complex, and no act too small, to challenge injustice--change begins with listening, showing up, and refusing to accept apathy.”