“Tiger Tales”
What is your most cherished memory or tradition from your time on campus?
Read comments submitted by alumni and friends. Note: all submissions will be reviewed prior to publication, please expect a brief delay.
What is your most cherished memory or tradition from your time on campus?
Read comments submitted by alumni and friends. Note: all submissions will be reviewed prior to publication, please expect a brief delay.
In the early 1800s, the College of New Jersey was experiencing declining enrollment and finances as more northern colleges surged in popularity. President James Carnahan '1800 considered closing the college, but Professor John Maclean '1816 suggested drawing on the loyalty and affection of alumni for help by creating an association dedicated to engagement and interest in the wellbeing of their alma mater. The trustees agreed, named Maclean college vice president and presented the plan to alumni at Commencement, Sept. 27, 1826. The alumni voted unanimously for the Alumni Association of Nassau Hall with James Madison '1771 *1772 as president and Maclean as secretary. In the 1830s, a letter was sent to alumni asking for help to "elevate" the College "to a level with the first colleges in the nation." Alumni responded with funds for additional faculty and buildings - East College in 1833 and West in 1836 - alleviating overcrowding in Nassau Hall. In 1904, the trustees established a separate Committee of Fifty specifically for fundraising (initially for 50 new preceptors), and in 1909, the trustees transformed the committee into the Graduate Council with an expanded mandate to include areas of alumni engagement, superseding the Alumni Association of Nassau Hall. In 1919, the Graduate Council was consolidated with all the associations and clubs and became the governing body of the new National Alumni Association. Fundraising was eliminated as its charge in 1940, and the Graduate Council became the Alumni Council in 1957. In 1969, the National Alumni Association became the Alumni Association, reflecting the global alumni community. A Feb. 23, 1926 New York Times article, "Princeton Alumni Attend Centennial," reported that Madison's portrait was unveiled in Nassau Hall during the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Alumni Association, which was "the best attended alumni weekend in Princeton history" with "more than 1,000 returning Princetonians." Today that portrait is displayed in historic Maclean House, the home of the Alumni Association, a fitting tribute to both Maclean and Madison.
Showing events 1 - 13 of 13
REUNIONS! and P-Rade. I attended my first P-rade as a freshman and that was the moment I truly felt like part of the amazing Princeton community. Seeing the alumni together is magical!
My favorite memory: March 14, 1996 - Princeton 43, UCLA 41. The entire campus poured onto Prospect Street. Wall-to-wall Tigers celebrating an impossible upset—pure joy, energy, and chaos.
For those who remember (at least c/o '06-'14), Blackbox Fridays. Turning a small blackbox studio in the basement of Wilson College into the best club in Mercer County. Good vibes and better people!
Outside of elaborate pranks on Brian Davies '00 that I maintain were an essential part of his education, my warmest memories are of deadline nights with the Nassau Weekly team in Burr Hall.
Reunions have always been special for me. From crew manager for the Class of 1912 to Chair of the Alumni Council Committee on Reunions, it's been a great trip. Looking forward to many more.
Fireworks!!!
Roaring fun: Tiger-ing up a golf cart for the P-rade every year with my sister, Laura Ressner McCloskey W84!
The Anthracite Bowl: a college football game featuring sprint (lightweight) teams played in Pottsville, PA. I played the fall of 1994. We faced Navy & lost by more than 4 touchdowns. Small town fun!
Dancing with my kids at Reunions.
(Food = Love)
Being “sung in” by the Katzenjammers - At 5am, “Ticket to ride” floated into my Patton Hall dorm. They took my hand and led me and the other "newbies" to Blair Arch for the first of many Katzensings.
From 1957-1960, I served as the “Tiger,” the university mascot in a real tiger skin costume. Uninhibited, I prowled the stadium and teased the visiting band by intervening in the halftime show.
Reunions OF COURSE!! This pic from 2010... THE BEST to celebrate with my dad, Denny Thompson '58, mom Carolyn and my kids when they were little ones.
Rarely a year goes by when I don't bawl my eyes out during the P-rade.
To see my entire life literally pass before my eyes -- from parenthood to grandparenthood and beyond... nothing compares.