Features

Five things you didn’t know about international orientation

Everyone at Princeton goes through an orientation program, but not everyone arrives early for three extra days of fun and games. Orientation for international students looks a bit different than your typical freshman orientation. The ‘Prince’ found out five things you may not have known about how international students spend their time before the rest of the class arrives.

Princeton wants to help students in mental health crises. Can it succeed?

Amidst a nationwide mental health crisis, Princeton has leveraged its resources and made significant efforts to improve its systems, but continues to face challenges in responding to an ongoing youth mental health crisis. In interviews with students, administrators, faculty, and experts, the ‘Prince’ chronicles a story of gaps in care, limited flexibility during emergencies, and the ever-present academic pressures that can clash with students’ mental health needs.

Amidst a nationwide mental health crisis, Princeton has leveraged its resources and made significant efforts to improve its systems, but continues to face challenges in responding to an ongoing youth mental health crisis. In interviews with students, administrators, faculty, and experts, the ‘Prince’ chronicles a story of gaps in care, limited flexibility during emergencies, and the ever-present academic pressures that can clash with students’ mental health needs.

Outgoing engineering dean Andrea Goldsmith reflects on leadership and a changing campus

After nearly five years as Dean of Engineering and Applied Science, Andrea Goldsmith reflects on her approach to leadership, fostering innovation, and student mentorship. She shares insights on her transition to becoming the next President of Stony Brook University, where she aims to continue her commitment to education, research, and service.

The last First graduates

As construction continues on Hobson College, located on First College’s old grounds, the Class of 2025 was the last generation of Princeton students to live a full year in First’s aging brick dorms. The first step in Princeton’s modern residential-college system, First has been a site of community — and controversy — since its start.

As construction continues on Hobson College, located on First College’s old grounds, the Class of 2025 was the last generation of Princeton students to live a full year in First’s aging brick dorms. The first step in Princeton’s modern residential-college system, First has been a site of community — and controversy — since its start.

“Open, monetizable, and loyal”: A company co–founded by a Princeton professor is breaking into AI with a new business model

A Princeton professor and alumni contributors co-founded Sentient and raised $85 million to build an open, community-driven AI ecosystem featuring the “open, monetizable, and loyal” standard, global hackathons, and a vibrant developer network.

A Princeton professor and alumni contributors co-founded Sentient and raised $85 million to build an open, community-driven AI ecosystem featuring the “open, monetizable, and loyal” standard, global hackathons, and a vibrant developer network.

‘This Is When We Get Louder’: Resistance and queer joy at a small Princeton center

In an increasingly hostile political environment, the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice in Princeton refuses to stay quiet. Harnessing values of intersectionality and queer joy, a network of volunteers offers support, guidance, and community to a diverse audience of people navigating their identities. The ‘Prince’ spoke with the people who run the Center to learn more about their events, services, and what motivates them. 

In an increasingly hostile political environment, the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice in Princeton refuses to stay quiet. Harnessing values of intersectionality and queer joy, a network of volunteers offers support, guidance, and community to a diverse audience of people navigating their identities. The ‘Prince’ spoke with the people who run the Center to learn more about their events, services, and what motivates them. 

Right tree, right place: Branching into tree management with arborist Taylor Sapudar

With spring blooming all around us, it's only natural to pay a bit more attention to the trees than we usually might. But Princeton's municipal arborist Taylor Sapudar dedicates himself to trees year-round. Sapudar decides which trees to plant and where, balancing the environmental, the practical, and the aesthetic to foster Princeton's urban forest.

‘A massive vacuum of knowledge, expertise, innovation’: Researchers face uncertainties in academia and government amid funding cuts

In light of waning federal support for research at the University and various government agencies, early-career researchers are facing fewer opportunities and growing uncertainty. As funding cuts mount, students and postdocs are reconsidering their career trajectories, from graduate school admissions to academia and government work.

In light of waning federal support for research at the University and various government agencies, early-career researchers are facing fewer opportunities and growing uncertainty. As funding cuts mount, students and postdocs are reconsidering their career trajectories, from graduate school admissions to academia and government work.

All roads lead to Princeton: How the University’s faculty commutes to campus

While some faculty members live in Princeton, many others have long commutes to make everyday. The ‘Prince’ interviewed various faculty members to describe their typical trek to campus.

Riding South Jersey’s little river line that could

The Trenton-Camden River Line is a two-car light rail train that runs between Trenton Transit Center and Camden Entertainment Center along the Delaware River. On a chilly February afternoon, the ‘Prince’ boarded the train, which was steeped in controversy when it first opened but is still going strong today.

The Trenton-Camden River Line is a two-car light rail train that runs between Trenton Transit Center and Camden Entertainment Center along the Delaware River. On a chilly February afternoon, the ‘Prince’ boarded the train, which was steeped in controversy when it first opened but is still going strong today.

Princeton’s junior researchers forge new frontiers

As the final deadline for junior papers approaches on April 29, juniors will be wrapping up their work and readying themselves for submission. The ‘Prince’ talked to students working on a wide range of topics, from 20th-century Indian paintings to virtual Formula 1 simulations.

As the final deadline for junior papers approaches on April 29, juniors will be wrapping up their work and readying themselves for submission. The ‘Prince’ talked to students working on a wide range of topics, from 20th-century Indian paintings to virtual Formula 1 simulations.

Cello, goodbye: cellist Brandon Cheng ’25 on his farewell recital

Every music performance minor at Princeton is required to perform in a capstone recital in their senior year. On Sunday, April 13, Brandon Cheng '25 had his, filling Taplin Auditorium with the deep tones of his cello and showcasing his wide-ranging repertoire. In a conversation with The Daily Princetonian, Cheng described the trials and triumphs of his musical journey at Princeton.

Parenthood and Princeton: Four transfer students on balancing kids and classes

In interviews with The Daily Princetonian, four transfer students with children described a delicate balance in their Princeton experience: taking challenging courses and working with professors not that much older than them — all while being home for bedtime.

In interviews with The Daily Princetonian, four transfer students with children described a delicate balance in their Princeton experience: taking challenging courses and working with professors not that much older than them — all while being home for bedtime.

Teaching keeps you young, or so says Professor Brian Kernighan

Computer science professor Brian Kernighan GS ’69 left a career in emerging computer science research to pursue his passion for teaching. He shared his perspectives on the evolution of the field of computer science, his interdisciplinary approach to this work, and his advice to aspiring programmers.

Computer Science Professor Brian Kernighan ’69 left a career in emerging computer science research to pursue his passion for teaching. He shared his perspectives on the evolution of the field of computer science, his interdisciplinary approach to this work, and his advice to aspiring programmers.

On learning, life, and literature with Professor Pietro Frassica

Professor Pietro Frassica fell in love with Princeton 50 years ago and has never left, becoming an influential professor in the French & Italian Department. In his time at Princeton, he introduced Food Studies to the curriculum, served as a trustee of an Italian-American cultural institution, and has brought an open, collaborative teaching style to the classroom.

Tiger Tots: Lucie and Constance

In a return to our Tiger Tots installments from 2021, The Daily Princetonian interviewed Lucie and Constance, the two daughters of Sébastien Philippe and Christine Blumauer. As for advice to current Princeton students, Constance says “I want them to play,” and Lucie says “do more homework!”

In a return to our Tiger Tots installments from 2021, The Daily Princetonian interviewed Lucie and Constance, the two daughters of Sébastien Philippe and Christine Blumauer. As for advice to current Princeton students, Constance says “I want them to play,” and Lucie says “do more homework!”

For Princeton, the New Jersey AI Hub promises innovation and opportunity

This Thursday, the New Jersey AI Hub will mark the completion of its physical location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. University officials, executives at company partners, and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy shared with the ‘Prince’ their hopes for the AI Hub and the role it will play for Princeton and the state as a whole.

This Thursday, the New Jersey AI Hub will mark the completion of its physical location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. University officials, executives at company partners, and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy shared with the ‘Prince’ their hopes for the AI Hub and the role it will play for Princeton and the state as a whole.

Sameer Khan: Princeton’s ‘guy behind the camera’

Sameer Khan, once an accidental photographer, has become the University’s visual storyteller on campus, photographing historical and everyday events with personal lens. Often invisible but always present, his camera bridges people, places, and the documentation of memories at Princeton.

For Kaden Knight ’28, purple is the new orange

Kaden Knight ’28, known around campus as “The Purple Guy,” has worn only purple, every outfit, every day since third grade. The ‘Prince’ wanted to know: who is he and why purple?

Kaden Knight ’28, known around campus as “The Purple Guy,” has worn only purple, every outfit, every day since third grade. The ‘Prince’ wanted to know: who is he and why purple?

ChatGPT who? From nuclear fusion to fixing your fridge, students leap to build and innovate

After a slow start and a history of risk-aversion, undergraduate entrepreneurship has grown from a niche interest to a wider ecosystem on campus. As student entrepreneurs develop solutions across diverse fields, some are finding that the “next big thing” may not be a particular technology, but rather, the people willing to take the leap.