At first glance, James Ashenhurst '08, seems like any other busy Princeton student — hanging out with friends, leading LGBT peer educator discussions and traveling around Europe.
It's no wonder some of his peers were shocked to find out midway through freshman year that he has a prosthetic leg.
"I met many of my best friends during pants weather," he said. "So when shorts weather came around, some of my friends were so surprised! They asked, 'How could we have known you for three months, and we couldn't tell?' "
Ashenhurst was born missing a fibula and a few bones from his foot. But that hasn't stopped him from taking part in many activities.
"The one restriction may be knowing that I couldn't, had I wanted to, participate in sports," he said. Instead, he has found a dynamic role on campus both in the LGBT community and in the psychology department.
Ashenhurst is an LGBT peer educator and former treasurer of the Pride Alliance. He characterized his coming out at Princeton and at home as positive experiences, facilitated by supportive parents and friends.
"Some [close friends] had parents simply threaten to cut them off financially, and some parents actually have gone through with it," Ashenhurst said. "One friend was forced to withdraw from the University for a year because [the friend's] parents believed the University was a bad influence by encouraging or enabling homosexuality."
Ashenhurst now sees his role in the LGBT peer education program as helping people deal with the coming out process.
"Considering his life story, he's so self-accepting and so willing, not only to laugh through the hard times, but also to laugh at himself," his friend Ery Shin '08 said. "James is the epitome of a relaxed, good-humored, fun-loving and levelheaded dude, who's wise beyond his years — it's unbelievable."
He plans to take a year off before going to graduate school. He wants to work for six months, save some money and then backpack around the world — despite his prosthetic leg.
Read More
Joseph ’25 next Young Alumni Trustee in 21 percent turnout election
Vitus LarrieuGil Joseph ’25 won the Young Alumni Trustee election, which saw 21 percent turnout. Joseph, Stephen Padlo ’25 and Ben Wachspress ’25 competed in the final round of elections after advancing from a notably large primary in April.
Gil Joseph ’25 won the Young Alumni Trustee election, which saw 21 percent turnout. Joseph, Stephen Padlo ’25 and Ben Wachspress ’25 competed in the final round of elections after advancing from a notably large primary in April.
‘A brilliant young contemporary writer and a beautiful human being’: Remembering Lauren Blackburn ’26
Victoria Davies and Caitlyn TabladaBlackburn was found deceased by authorities on April 25, several days after he was reported missing. He was 23 years old at the time of his death and is remembered by friends and mentors as a brilliant writer, voracious learner, and loving friend. A family obituary said he passed away after a “courageous battle with bipolar disorder.”
Blackburn was found deceased by authorities on April 25, several days after he was reported missing. He was 23 years old at the time of his death and is remembered by friends and mentors as a brilliant writer, voracious learner, and loving friend. A family obituary said he passed away after a “courageous battle with bipolar disorder.”
GSG approves audit, delays budget approval after ‘insufferable’ meeting
Nikki HanThe final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.
The final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.