For once, Forbes College was the place to be on a Saturday night. The residential college celebrated its 25th anniversary in style, honoring its guest, Steve Forbes ’70, with an afternoon reception that featured an ice sculpture of the Forbes shield and vast offerings of hors doeuvres and sparkling cider. A special dinner and a “Fire and Ice” semiformal followed the reception.
Forbes, the editor-in-chief of the eponymous business magazine Forbes, shared in most of the day’s festivities. Formerly known as Princeton Inn College, Forbes College was renovated following a gift from Malcolm Forbes ’41 and was rededicated in 1984 in honor of Malcolm Forbes Jr. ’70.
Following an introduction by President Shirley Tilghman, Forbes delivered a brief speech on the evolution of the residential college system, the value of a liberal arts education and his own experiences in publishing and politics.
Forbes stressed the importance of residential colleges in student life. “For the first two years of Princeton, you were on your own,” Forbes said of his time at the University, adding that housing was “kind of haphazard.”
He described Princeton as an institution that “combines unique rigor with nurturing,” saying that the “residential colleges were designed to enhance that experience.” Given its remote location, Forbes College “forms a kind of bonding that is unique among the residential colleges,” he added.
Dean of the College Nancy Malkiel echoed Forbes’s words at the dinner, praising Forbes College for the close community it fosters among students. Forbes College “invented the way of being a residential college at Princeton,” she said.
Forbes cited his experience starting the undergraduate magazine Business Today, the world’s largest student-run magazine, as his most valuable experience at the University. Building the magazine from the ground up taught him “all the nitty-gritty detail it takes to make something happen,” he said.
When asked what characteristics are necessary for success during the question-and-answer session following his speech, Forbes emphasized the help he received from the Princeton network after graduation, stressing the networking mentality over the contacts. “It’s not just the tangibles; it’s the sense of community,” he said.
Student reaction to Forbes’s speech was positive. Daniel Barson ’12 called the speech “very humble, very down to earth,” and David Schuster ’12 said that Forbes “gave very sound advice.”
During the dinner, four-year Forbes resident and RCA Julie Dickerson ’10 delivered a lighthearted speech, while gifts — including a flag, tie and poster featuring the residential college’s shield — were presented to Forbes.
Forbes College Master Christian Wildberg, who served as master of ceremonies for the reception and the dinner, commented on the major changes instituted at Forbes College over the last 25 years. He lauded efforts to raise environmental awareness through the Forbes garden, which was planted in 2007, and called the introduction of residential graduate students into the dorms a “terrific success.”
Malkiel summed up sentiments shared by many during Forbes College’s 25th birthday. “It really is worth the walk,” she said.
Read More
David Zielenziger ’74, former ‘Prince’ chairman and lifelong journalist, passes away at 72
Kian PetlinFriends and colleagues remember former ‘Prince’ chairman David Zielenziger ’74, who passed away peacefully on May 20.
Friends and colleagues remember former ‘Prince’ chairman David Zielenziger ’74 who passed away peacefully on May 20.
Remembering Dorothea von Moltke, Labyrinth co-founder and local community builder
Lucia BrownDorothea von Moltke, widely considered the heart of Labyrinth Books, was remembered by friends and loved ones for her passions for language, literature, and local activism.
Dorothea von Moltke, widely considered the heart of Labyrinth Books, was remembered by friends and loved ones for her passions for language, literature, and local activism.
Cloister Inn to pause operations for the next 2–3 years, citing “hefty renovations”
Justus WilhoitCloister Inn, one of Princeton’s eating clubs, will pause operations for the next two to three years, due to “hefty renovations” to the club’s house.
Cloister Inn, one of Princeton’s eating clubs, will pause operations for the next two to three years, due to “hefty renovations” to the club’s house.