Features

‘Horticulture is where science meets art’: Charlie Somma reflects on a decade of grounds work at Princeton

‘Horticulture is where science meets art’: Charlie Somma reflects on a decade of grounds work at Princeton

Daniel Yu

“To some people, this is just a grounds job. But I feel like it’s my responsibility to make sure that this place looks good. It's my calling,” said Charlie Somma, groundskeeper at Princeton since 2011.

“To some people, this is just a grounds job. But I feel like it’s my responsibility to make sure that this place looks good. It's my calling,” said Charlie Somma, groundskeeper at Princeton since 2011.

FEATURES | November 1

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‘Food that welcomes everybody in’: The power of Nomad Pizza

‘Food that welcomes everybody in’: The power of Nomad Pizza

Sejal Goud

Nearly sixteen years ago, friends Tom Grim and Stalin Bedon found an REO Speedwagon truck on eBay, and Nomad Pizza was born. 

Nearly sixteen years ago, friends Tom Grim and Stalin Bedon found an REO Speedwagon truck on eBay, and Nomad Pizza was born. Today, the pizzeria-on-wheels continues to operate out of the same eBay-bought truck and is now a Princeton University staple.

FEATURES | November 1

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‘Meant to be’: Rabbi Gil Steinlauf ’91 returns to Princeton as the Executive Director of the CJL

‘Meant to be’: Rabbi Gil Steinlauf ’91 returns to Princeton as the Executive Director of the CJL

Vasila Mirshamsova

When Rabbi Gil Steinlauf ’91 learned that the position of Executive Director of Princeton’s Center for Jewish Life (CJL) was open, he was “thunderstruck.” “We have an expression in Yiddish called bashert, which means ‘meant to be.’ And so I threw my hat in the ring,” he said. After serving as a pulpit rabbi for 25 years, this past July, Steinlauf returned to Princeton to take over as Executive Director of the CJL.

When Rabbi Gil Steinlauf ’91 learned that the position of Executive Director of Princeton’s Center for Jewish Life (CJL) was open, he was “thunderstruck.” “We have an expression in Yiddish called bashert, which means ‘meant to be.’ And so I threw my hat in the ring,” he said. After serving as a pulpit rabbi for 25 years, this past July, Steinlauf returned to Princeton to take over as Executive Director of the CJL.

FEATURES | October 25

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‘A bubbly ball of energy beyond belief’: Forbes’ Brenda O’Hara reflects on 16 years at Princeton

‘A bubbly ball of energy beyond belief’: Forbes’ Brenda O’Hara reflects on 16 years at Princeton

Raphaela Gold

Brenda “Bee” Loretta O’Hara, known around Forbes College for enthusiastically greeting students as they enter the dining hall, arrived at Princeton in 2006. O’Hara has worked at Frist, Whitman, and Forbes.

Brenda “Bee” Loretta O’Hara, known around Forbes College for enthusiastically greeting students as they enter the dining hall, arrived at Princeton in 2006. O’Hara has worked at Frist, Whitman, and Forbes.

FEATURES | October 23

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First-years with past experience with climate advocacy bring new life to Divest Princeton

First-years with past experience with climate advocacy bring new life to Divest Princeton

Sophie Glaser

Before ever stepping foot on campus, members of the Class of 2026 took action against climate change. It hasn’t taken long for these first-years to get involved with organizations like Divest Princeton: leading songs at protests, organizing their peers, and giving speeches demanding that Princeton divest from fossil fuels.

Before ever stepping foot on campus, members of the Class of 2026 took action against climate change. It hasn’t taken long for these first-years to get involved with organizations like Divest Princeton: leading songs at protests, organizing their peers, and giving speeches demanding that Princeton divest from fossil fuels.

FEATURES | October 13

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‘That’s why I’m here at Princeton’: Gustavo Blanco-Quiroga ’25 serves home community in Bolivia through Pace Center grant

‘That’s why I’m here at Princeton’: Gustavo Blanco-Quiroga ’25 serves home community in Bolivia through Pace Center grant

Sydney Eck

As a winner of Projects for Peace — a Pace Center program that awards $10,000 to University undergraduates to pursue service projects around the world — Blanco-Quiroga used the funding to start the Chacha Emprende Project, a two-pronged approach to bringing education and resources back to his Aymara Indigenous community in Bolivia.

As a winner of Projects for Peace — a Pace Center program that awards $10,000 to University undergraduates to pursue service projects around the world — Blanco-Quiroga used the funding to start the Chacha Emprende Project, a two-pronged approach to bringing education and resources back to his Aymara Indigenous community in Bolivia.

FEATURES | October 9

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Princeton professors honored by Queen Elizabeth II reflect on her legacy

Princeton professors honored by Queen Elizabeth II reflect on her legacy

Julie Levey

On Sept. 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96. Upon her death, she was the United Kingdom’s longest reigning monarch and had served for 70 years. Over the course of her life, the Queen bestowed honors upon an array of Princeton professors who have made extraordinary contributions to their fields. The Daily Princetonian sat down with several professors to discuss their award ceremonies and reflections on the Queen’s life. 

On Sept. 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96. Upon her death, she was the United Kingdom’s longest reigning monarch and had served for 70 years. Over the course of her life, the Queen bestowed honors upon an array of Princeton professors who have made extraordinary contributions to their fields. The Daily Princetonian sat down with several professors to discuss their award ceremonies and reflections on the Queen’s life. 

FEATURES | 10/03/2022

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Princeton women’s rugby goes varsity, keeps walk-on spirit

Princeton women’s rugby goes varsity, keeps walk-on spirit

Molly Taylor and Gia Musselwhite

After years of student advocacy, the change to varsity status represents an opportunity for the team to compete at the highest level of collegiate rugby,. But this season is also a moment of transition as the players — most of whom hadn’t played rugby before they got to Princeton. 

After years of student advocacy, the change to varsity status represents an opportunity for the team to compete at the highest level of collegiate rugby,. But this season is also a moment of transition as the players — most of whom hadn’t played rugby before they got to Princeton. 

FEATURES | 09/28/2022

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‘Howard is the spirit of Princeton’: RoMa’s smiling chef reflects on 27 years at Princeton

‘Howard is the spirit of Princeton’: RoMa’s smiling chef reflects on 27 years at Princeton

Sydney Eck

It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes several thousand employees to educate and care for Princeton undergraduate students once they begin their University careers. The ‘Prince’ sits down with Howard Sutphin, who is retiring at the end of this academic year, after 27 years of cooking and caring for Princeton students.

It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes several thousand employees to educate and care for Princeton undergraduate students once they begin their University careers. The ‘Prince’ sits down with Howard Sutphin, who is retiring at the end of this academic year, after 27 years of cooking and caring for Princeton students.

FEATURES | 09/21/2022

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'In language there is life': Students find limitation and possibility in language practice outside University curriculum

'In language there is life': Students find limitation and possibility in language practice outside University curriculum

Molly Taylor

The University offers instruction in 26 languages, but to study languages outside the formal curriculum, many students engage in informal education through communal language tables and self-directed research — practices that illuminate both the limitations and potential of independent language learning.

The University offers instruction in 26 languages, but to study languages outside the formal curriculum, many students engage in informal education through communal language tables and self-directed research — practices that illuminate both the limitations and potential of independent language learning.

FEATURES | 07/07/2022

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Disabled students at Princeton and the ongoing fight for a more inclusive campus

Disabled students at Princeton and the ongoing fight for a more inclusive campus

Naomi Hess

More Princetonians have disabilities than might be outwardly visible. Having a disability impacts every part of Princeton, from academics to residential life to social life. Several students talked to The Daily Princetonian about their experiences as disabled students on a campus that wasn’t designed with their unique needs in mind.

More Princetonians have disabilities than might be outwardly visible. Having a disability impacts every part of Princeton, from academics to residential life to social life. Several students talked to The Daily Princetonian about their experiences as disabled students on a campus that wasn’t designed with their unique needs in mind.

FEATURES | 06/07/2022

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From Kenya to Panama: EEB concentrators take independent research to new heights in new terrains

From Kenya to Panama: EEB concentrators take independent research to new heights in new terrains

Maddie Lausted

This article is the second installment in a series that explores one of Princeton’s most distinct academic traditions: the requirement of junior and senior independent work for nearly all undergraduate students. As thousands of students conduct and present unique research every year, these Features articles shed light on the inspiration, the outcomes, and everything in between.

This article is the second installment in a series that explores one of Princeton’s most distinct academic traditions: the requirement of junior and senior independent work for nearly all undergraduate students. As thousands of students conduct and present unique research every year, these Features articles shed light on the inspiration, the outcomes, and everything in between.

FEATURES | 05/12/2022

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In a Manhattan nightclub, Griffin Maxwell Brooks comes alive

In a Manhattan nightclub, Griffin Maxwell Brooks comes alive

Sam Kagan

Griffin Maxwell Brooks is a paradox. Unapologetically queer and expressive, their larger than life wardrobe and personality stand out among the clean-cut khaki of Princeton, N.J. All the same, balancing a rocket scientist’s course rigor with the demands of a Division I sport are hardly the norm in New York City’s queer nightlife scene. 

Griffin Maxwell Brooks is a paradox. Unapologetically queer and expressive, their larger than life wardrobe and personality stand out among the clean-cut khaki of Princeton, N.J. All the same, balancing a rocket scientist’s course rigor with the demands of a Division I sport are hardly the norm in New York City’s queer nightlife scene. For Brooks, life itself is a contradiction in terms, a never-ending balancing act of remarkably disparate identities.

FEATURES | 04/22/2022

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Josh Babu ’22 researches the effects of gender-affirming care on transgender youth’s long-term health

Josh Babu ’22 researches the effects of gender-affirming care on transgender youth’s long-term health

Sejal Goud

In the first installment of “Inside Independent Work,” The Daily Princetonian dives into Josh Babu’s research at the intersection of gender and sexuality studies and molecular biology. He studies how gender-affirming healthcare can affect the long-term health of transgender youth. 

In the first installment of “Inside Independent Work,” The Daily Princetonian dives into Josh Babu’s research at the intersection of gender and sexuality studies and molecular biology. He studies how gender-affirming healthcare can affect the long-term health of transgender youth.

FEATURES | 04/19/2022

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With candles, choreography, and colorful strip lights, a student-led spin class gets a community active

With candles, choreography, and colorful strip lights, a student-led spin class gets a community active

Izzy Jacobson

In a Dillon Gym studio, Caroline Kirby ’23 leads fully-booked spin classes each week. Designed to welcome Princeton students of all ability levels, Kirby’s popular classes have formed community on campus for those interested in staying active. “I love [spinning] because it gives me a space to let out any stress I have, just through a really fun 45 minute class,” Kirby said.

In a Dillon Gym studio, Caroline Kirby ’23 leads fully-booked spin classes each week. Designed to welcome Princeton students of all ability levels, Kirby’s popular classes have formed community on campus for those interested in staying active. “I love [spinning] because it gives me a space to let out any stress I have, just through a really fun 45 minute class,” Kirby said.

FEATURES | 03/31/2022

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A mysterious email, a scalpel, and a Princeton professor: The search for extinct wolves

A mysterious email, a scalpel, and a Princeton professor: The search for extinct wolves

Paige Cromley

Bridgette vonHoldt, a Princeton researcher specializing in canids, received a mysterious email from a curious citizen in Texas. The results of her analysis revealed the genetic material of an extinct wolf species maintained in a population of coyotes in Texas. Her continued exploration of these strange hybrid canines may hold the key to reviving the extinct wolf species in the future.

Bridgette vonHoldt, a Princeton researcher specializing in canids, received a mysterious email from a curious citizen in Texas. The results of her analysis revealed the genetic material of an extinct wolf species maintained in a population of coyotes in Texas. Her continued exploration of these strange hybrid canines may hold the key to reviving the extinct wolf species in the future.

FEATURES | 03/29/2022

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‘First on Film’: Student-curated exhibit reflects on ‘the long journey’ of racial integration and inclusion at Princeton

‘First on Film’: Student-curated exhibit reflects on ‘the long journey’ of racial integration and inclusion at Princeton

Molly Taylor

Drawing from documentary photographer Sol Libsohn’s collection, a small group of undergraduate curators designed a photo exhibit, which is now on display in Wilcox Hall of First College. Titled “First on Film: Creating Spaces for Racial Reckoning on Campus, 1960s and Now,” the curators looked to connect the legacy of PSSP — and First College, where it was based — to racial inclusion and student activism today. 

Drawing from documentary photographer Sol Libsohn’s collection, a small group of undergraduate curators designed a photo exhibit, which is now on display in Wilcox Hall of First College. Titled “First on Film: Creating Spaces for Racial Reckoning on Campus, 1960s and Now,” the curators looked to connect the legacy of PSSP — and First College, where it was based — to racial inclusion and student activism today. 

FEATURES | 03/22/2022

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‘Because of tradition’: Disagreements and changes within Princeton’s dance group hierarchy

‘Because of tradition’: Disagreements and changes within Princeton’s dance group hierarchy

Katherine Brubaker

Princeton’s student-led dance community boasts more than 15 ensembles, each with unique styles, traditions, and requirements. These groups are known for their professional caliber performances and near-professional time commitments. Student concerns about social hierarchy and elitism within the dance community prompted policy changes in the midst of the pandemic — specifically, the dissolution of a coalition known as G4. In the first in-person year since these changes, dance groups are still adjusting. 

Princeton’s student-led dance community boasts more than 15 ensembles, each with unique styles, traditions, and requirements. These groups are known for their professional caliber performances and near-professional time commitments. Student concerns about social hierarchy and elitism within the dance community prompted policy changes in the midst of the pandemic — specifically, the dissolution of a coalition known as G4. In the first in-person year since these changes, dance groups are still adjusting. 

FEATURES | 03/15/2022

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Princeton’s friendliest face: a Q&A with Mathey College’s ‘Ms. Heather’

Princeton’s friendliest face: a Q&A with Mathey College’s ‘Ms. Heather’

Sydney Eck

For nearly two decades, Heather Parker has been greeting students and swiping their prox cards as they enter the Roma dining hall. During that time she has had a significant impact on the daily life of undergraduate students. We sat down with several students and with Parker herself for a Q&A about “Ms. Heather.”

For nearly two decades, Heather Parker has been greeting students and swiping their prox cards as they enter the Roma dining hall. During that time she has had a significant impact on the daily life of undergraduate students. We sat down with several students and with Parker herself for a Q&A about “Ms. Heather.”

FEATURES | 03/01/2022

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A room in the back of a sweater store: Making space for commemorating Einstein in town

A room in the back of a sweater store: Making space for commemorating Einstein in town

Rachel Posner and Sejal Goud

Landau, a wool clothing business on Nassau Street, housed a single-room museum at the back of their store for Einstein from the 1990s until just two years ago. Now, more comprehensive efforts to commemorate the infamous physicist — for his work, but also his legacy as a beloved townsperson — are underway.

Landau, a wool clothing business on Nassau Street, housed a single-room museum at the back of their store for Einstein from the 1990s until just two years ago. Now, more comprehensive efforts to commemorate the infamous physicist — for his work, but also his legacy as a beloved townsperson — are underway.

FEATURES | 02/24/2022

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