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Warm Spirits Create Festive 100th Alumni Day
Despite Frigid Winter Weather
A thousand alumni and numerous Classmates braved
single-digit temperatures and a Saturday afternoon snowstorm to reunite at the
100th Alumni Day celebration. In honor of the centennial, the event
spanned two full days this year. Friday's program included a whirlwind
exploration of language covering that first learned by infants, gender-specific
responses to phrasing, student poetry slams, the language of terrorists, and
computer languages. Alumni gathered in the new Frick Chemistry Laboratory for
the kickoff celebration featuring delicious food and student dance and music
ensembles. That evening Class members including President Podie Lynch, Kirk
Liddell, Jack and Ronnie Hittson, Alan and Karen Usas, and Ray Ollwerther met
for a delicious and relaxing dinner at Mediterra on Palmer Square.
The agenda for Saturday began with talks by the two award
winners. Receiving the Madison Medal was Martin Eakes *80, CEO of Self-Help,
which has loaned $7 billion to business, non-profits, and low-income people.
His stirring address, "Homes, Lending, and Wealth Inequality
in America," described the success of Self-Help and underscored the mounting
challenges created by the concentration of wealth in a small proportion of the
population. The stage in Alexander Hall next became the venue for Queen Noor of
Jordan (Lisa Halaby '73) to receive the Woodrow Wilson Award. Her remarkable
journey from Princeton architecture student to royalty at the age of 26
afforded her opportunities to learn, observe, and comment on critical issues
facing the Middle East, its neighbors, and the world. Censored for her
outspoken speech, she has continued to draw attention to the tragedy of war,
the importance of human rights, and the role of women.
 The traditional Alumni Day lunch held
in Jadwin Gym was especially festive as the centennial events continued.
Classmates who met together for the meal included Vice President Kirk Liddell,
Howard Zien, Ray Ollwerther, Richard Neill (in from San Francisco), William
Armiger, Rich and Maria DiFedele, and Alan and Karen Usas. The University uses
the event to announce a number of major academic awards and prizes. The Porter
Ogden Jacobus Fellowships were given to four outstanding graduate students
whose research was profiled for the audience through video clips. Two amazing
undergraduate students received the Moses Taylor Pyne Honor Prize and addressed
the audience with stories of their accomplishments and how Princeton and other
factors played a role. One of the most moving parts of Alumni Day each year is
the Service of Remembrance in honor of those alumni who have died in the past year.
Class Treasurer Howard Zien represented '71 in the procession. More photos are in the Photo Gallery and also here along with additional information about the event.
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Upcoming EventsClick on date for more info
Conversation With President EisgruberDecember 5, 2023 Hong Kong, China
Conversation With President EisgruberJanuary 10, 2024 Los Angeles, CA
San Diego Mini-ReunionFebruary 3-4, 2024
Alumni DayFebruary 24, 2024
Conversation With President EisgruberFebruary 12, 2024 West Palm Beach, FL
Conversation With President EisgruberFebruary 14, 2024 Naples, FL
53rd ReunionMay 23-26, 2024
Future Class Reunions54th Reunion, May 22-25, 2025 55th Reunion, May 21-24, 2026
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