Almost 2,000 newly minted graduates walked out FitzRandolph Gate at the University's 260th Commencement today after 1,127 undergraduate and 716 graduate members of the Class of 2007 were awarded degrees.
About 7,000 spectators were in attendance to watch the ceremony, which included several speeches, the awarding of honorary degrees and the presentation of degrees to graduates.
President Tilghman, whose speech was the traditional keynote address, urged the class to "serve this nation and all nations, and make the world a better place for us all."
"I hope that you, the Class of 2007, will ... use your Princeton educations to lead well-considered lives in service to the common good," she said, adding that the success of their education could be measured retrospectively in 25 years. Tilghman illustrated her point by listing the accomplishments of several members of the Class of 1982, including chair of the astrophysics department David Spergel and Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist Bart Gellman. [Full text of Tilghman's address.]
Tilghman also praised "the tremendous diversity among universities and colleges" in the United States and criticized a Department of Education plan to implement standardized testing to evaluate students' achievements in higher education, saying that the "homogeneity bred by standardization would almost certainly drain color and vitality from this rich national tapestry."
The qualities that Princeton seeks to cultivate in its students "do not lend themselves to standardized testing," she said, adding that "where we see our students as prime numbers, standardization sees them as elements of the least common denominator."
The Commencement ceremony concluded three days of graduation events that included the Baccalaureate address by emeritus English professor John Fleming GS '63 on Sunday and the Class Day ceremony yesterday that included a speech by Emmy Award-winning actor Bradley Whitford.
Other speakers at Commencement included class valedictorian Glen Weyl and salutatorian Maya Maskarinec.
Weyl, an economics major who is to complete his Ph.D. in economics next year, spoke about engaging abstract ideas and exploring new ways of thinking while at Princeton.
"Though Princeton is often called an 'orange bubble,' " Weyl said, "my experiences here brought me closer to great problems and motivated me to engage with the world more powerfully than I could have dreamed."
Speaking about the mind-expanding challenge of taking a range of liberal arts classes, Weyl said, "Princeton instilled in us a desire to pursue social betterment, artistic expression and scientific discovery."
Maskarinec, a classics major from Hawaii, made jokes about student life in her address, which was given in Latin according to University tradition.
"It is appropriate that we should cast our gaze back to that most hallowed of institutions in which we have squandered our days and years," Maskarinec said. "I refer, of course, not to Princeton University, but to the library of Firestone."
The University also awarded honorary doctoral degrees to seven people for their achievements in public service, athletics, science, and other fields.
Recipients included Muhammad Ali, humanitarian and former boxing star; Norman Augustine '57, aeronautical engineer and public servant; Elizabeth Blackburn, biology and physiology professor at the University of California-San Francisco; Robert Fagles, emeritus comparative literature professor; LaSalle Leffall Jr., cancer researcher and former Howard University surgery professor; Fritz Stern, University Professor Emeritus at Columbia; and Twyla Tharp, award-winning dance choreographer.
The University honored four professors with President's Awards for Distinguished Teaching. Recipients included electrical engineering professor Sanjeev Kulkarni, mechanical and aerospace engineering professor Alexander Smits, assistant religion professor Eric Gregory, and assistant psychology professor Kenneth Norman.
Four New Jersey secondary school teachers were also recognized for their dedication to teaching. Each will be awarded $5,000 personally and an additional $3,000 to improve the libraries at their schools.
Tilghman's remarks ended the ceremony. "I hope you are feeling no reluctance at the prospect of graduating, but rather are experiencing excitement and anticipation for what is ahead," she said.
After a benediction by Associate Dean of Religious Life Paul Raushenbush and "Old Nassau," the graduates followed Tilghman's advice to "walk, skip or run through the FitzRandolph Gates."
Related:
Read More
Economics professor Kate Ho passes away after long battle with cancer
Devon RudolphProfessor Kate Ho made seminal contributions to the economics of modeling competition in the healthcare sector and taught well-loved courses in industrial organization.
Professor Kate Ho made seminal contributions to the economics of modeling competition in the healthcare sector and taught well-loved courses in industrial organization.
Pedestrian left in critical condition after traffic collision on Nassau Street
Luke GrippoThe pedestrian was struck by a westbound 2015 Ford Explorer around 11:32 p.m. The driver was identified in the press release as a 39-year-old Princeton resident who cooperated with officers upon their arrival.
The pedestrian was struck by a westbound 2015 Ford Explorer around 11:32 p.m. The driver was identified in the press release as a 39-year-old Princeton resident who cooperated with officers upon their arrival.
Senior class jacket abruptly changed following accusations of AI design
Vitus LarrieuFor more than a century, Princeton seniors have donned “beer jackets” to protect their clothes during Reunions and commencement celebrations, typically with elaborate designs chosen by a class-wide contest. Now, with a selection process marred by accusations of generative AI use, the Class of 2026 may have written its own spot in Princeton history.
For more than a century, Princeton seniors have donned “beer jackets” to protect their clothes during Reunions and commencement celebrations, typically with elaborate designs chosen by a class-wide contest. Now, with a selection process marred by accusations of generative AI use, the Class of 2026 may have written its own spot in Princeton history.