Princeton

September 2021

Hello ’73 Classmates,

Looking back 50 years ago, we were preparing to go back for our junior year—diving into our majors, JPs and engineering projects, eating clubs, career planning.  The Third World Center (now the Carl A. Fields Center for Equality + Cultural Understanding) opened that fall, in October.  The front page of the first Daily Princetonian of the fall term had an article by our own Mark Stevens, announcing the instituting of ID checks at the Student Center (remember the Pub???) as well as the ban on wading in the Wilson School reflecting pool—relatively minor changes in campus life, compared to the current unpredictable student experience.  Junior year was pivotal for many of us; what are your memories of that time?

Last year didn’t exactly go as we had hoped with no on campus activities for alumni.  However, the Class engaged over Zoom, thanks to the University and our ad hoc Director of Virtual Engagement, Vinny Deluise.  We had monthly get-togethers, starting in October and running through our virtual Reunions in May.  Many thanks to Jerry Raymond, Don Boroson, Brian Taylor, Campbell Gerrish, Joan Gallos, Annalyn Swann and Mark Stevens for their fantastic presentations at these Zoom gatherings.  Even as the University opens up for on campus activities, we plan to continue the Zoom events.  We already have a full schedule for the fall:

September 22: Alex Randall on Innovation and Entrepreneurship

October 21: Sandy Harrison ’74, The History and Architecture of Princeton’s Eating Clubs

November 3: Melanie Kirkpatrick on Sarah Hale and the Origin of Thanksgiving

December TBD: holiday social gathering

You will be receiving the usual e-invitation to these events; let Macie VanRensselaer (macie.hall@gmail.com) know if you haven’t been getting them.  I will also be sending out monthly e-blasts with Class news; you need to have a TigerNet account to receive these, too.

Currently, the University will have alumni events on campus this fall.  All students, faculty and staff are required to be vaccinated and masks must be worn in indoor spaces.  As things stand now, there is a full football schedule, with home and away games.  The annual alumni Tiger Tailgate is not yet scheduled, however.  Stay tuned—if it does happen, there will be a ’73 table.  If Alumni Day is held in February, I plan to have a Class dinner for those who attend.  We need more opportunities to see each other.

Class Dues:  Not surprisingly, this was a down year for dues participation.  However, as mentioned above, if we get good dues participation this year, the Class can underwrite the cost of a Class dinner for Alumni Day.  Your dues also pay our Class share of the PAW and Alumni Council fees.  You can pay online, through the Class website (princeton73.org) or by mail in the envelop provided.

Annual Giving:  On the other hand, this was an improved year for ’73 contributions to Annual Giving.  Our percentage participation is up to 44%, and we are no longer at the bottom of all the classes in this statistic.  Our total was over $200,000.  In light of the unexpected demands imposed by the pandemic on the University, these contributions to the general fund were crucial.  As our Class Agent Doug Grover says, “All of the above makes us a class on the rise, in a difficult year.”

Reunions:  Macie, Carlton Brown and Bob Auray are hard at work, building a robust team to plan and execute our 50^th Reunion.  The theme, announced at our 48^th (virtual) reunion is “Historic Yes! History Not Yet!”   They are looking for more volunteers—please contact Macie if you are interested in helping out in any way, large or small. There’s a job for everyone. And if history of our era at Princeton is an interest, there are openings for people to work on a Class History Exhibit.

Finally, Lisa Tebbe is always on the lookout for news for the PAW Class Notes.  You can include your news on the enclosed card or, better yet, email Lisa at etebbe@optonline.net.  I hope to see many of you this year—hopefully, in person.  Reunions 2022 (our 49^th) will be May 19 – 22.  Please stay healthy and get your (booster) shot.

Tiger cheers,

Nancy Teaff, President

Princeton Class of 1973