Tiger holding up a sign that reads, "Princeton is where you are."

Reunions Online: Princeton is where you are

By University Advancement on May 19, 2021, 4:01 p.m.
Photo by Leda Kopach, University Advancement

There are no Reunions barricades or tents on campus this year, but you can almost hear the boisterous sounds of orange-and-black clad alumni reuniting with classmates and friends, marching bands playing, a cavalcade of Princetonians P-rading down Elm Drive in natty jackets and creative costumes.

Actually, you can hear it all: just tune into Reunions Online May 20-23, turn up those earbuds, put on your best Tiger garb, and you are there.

The pandemic may have kept the renowned Princeton Reunions virtual again for 2021, but that has not stopped the irrepressible and resilient spirit of Princeton alumni. Tigers have rallied with more than 160 events organized by classes, graduate alumni, departments and University Advancement’s Alumni Engagement team.

“While I wish we could gather together on campus,” said Rich Holland, president of the Alumni Association, chair of the Alumni Council and a member of the Class of 1996, which is celebrating its 25th Reunion, “I’ll take the next best thing — donning orange and black and engaging the greatest alumni body on the planet — online — for four days.”

The University’s COVID-19 restrictions and gatherings policy are still in place, so alumni and the entire Princeton University community are encouraged to be well, stay safe and enjoy the Reunions experience online.

Behind the scenes

Alumni volunteers worldwide have been working for months with the University’s Alumni Engagement team to organize a robust online Reunions experience, from recording Zoom greetings from the major reunion classes and the Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni, to planning Alumni-Faculty Forums on an array of topical issues, to volunteering their time in a multitude of ways to create an epic virtual experience.

Just a few examples: Holland recorded a tribute to two special classes (watch for it in the virtual P-Rade—that’s the “V-Rade”). Gary M. King, Class of 1979, spent hours recording narration on a reviewing stand built by Facilities, and Grand Marshal Heather Butts, Class of 1994, organized multiple Zoom meetings of the marshals and participated in socially distanced photo and video shoots. “Mind the gap,” her frequent phrase, is doubly meaningful this year.

Mark your calendar

Reunions Online has a jam-packed schedule of engaging events, including the following highlights. Visit reunions.princeton.edu to peruse an additional 160-plus events (and counting) planned by campus departments and various alumni groups. All times are Eastern Standard Time.

Featured events

Alumni-Faculty Forums

A Reunions tradition for more than 40 years, the Alumni-Faculty Forums, held Thursday-Saturday, May 20-22, will bring together alumni panelists from the major reunion classes and the Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni for seven intriguing conversations on a broad range of timely and timeless topics. Learn more and register.

Annual meeting of the Alumni Council 

All alumni are invited to join Chair Richard J. Holland at noon on Friday, May 21, for the annual meeting of the Alumni Council, which includes the chair’s report, Alumni Trustee announcements, presentations of the 2021 Awards for Service to Princeton and remarks from President Christopher L. Eisgruber, Class of 1983, who will also honor the oldest living alumnus with the Class of 1923 Cane. Register for Zoom link.

President Christopher L. Eisgruber live address

Join President Christopher L. Eisgruber at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 22, as he addresses the entire alumni body, highlighting the University’s latest news and initiatives and his plans for the future. Following his address, alumni will be invited to ask questions during a Q&A segment moderated by Hilary A. Parker, Class of 2001, University vice president and secretary. Register for Zoom link.

The one and only V-Rade

Put on your class jacket, pull up a seat and get ready to experience an epic virtual P-rade, featuring hundreds of photos and videos, interviews with class officers, special tributes to the major reunion classes and more. Tune in at 1:55 p.m. on Saturday, May 22, for pre-V-rade festivities on reunions.princeton.edu, the @Princetonalumni Facebook and Twitter channels, and the University Facebook, YouTube and Media Central channels.

Reunions entertainment

Friday night salsa

At 8 p.m. on Friday, May 21, get on your dancing shoes and get ready to join the Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni for an evening of salsa music with award-winning Los Habaneros. All alumni are welcome. Register for Zoom link.

Cocktail hour piano singalong

Join Jim Freund, Class of 1956, 5:30-7 p.m. on Saturday, May 22, as he tickles the ivories playing soothing tributes from the ’50s to the ’80s. Register to sing along.

It’s Saturday night at Reunions!

Join the fun at 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 22, for a night featuring the New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble led by Fred “Rock Steady Freddie” Reiter of the Class of 1981, hilarious comedic acts, a Princeton Tiger Ninja Warrior segment hosted by American Ninja Warrior host Matt Iseman of the Class of 1993 and the grand finale: fireworks! Watch the show on reunions.princeton.edu, @Princetonalumni Facebook and Twitter channels, and the University Facebook, YouTube and MediaCentral channels.

Get ready for Reunions Online

Check out Zoom backgrounds: Whether you’re participating on a class Zoom gathering or want to show your Princeton spirit at work, download a spirited Zoom background. Take your pick: Reunions, Princeton Campus, Major Reunion Themes, Class Banners and Headquarter Site Signs.

Get the kids in the spirit: Find Reunions coloring books and more.

Princetoniana galore: Participate in the virtual “Take it or Leave it” tent, visit the Princetoniana Virtual Museum, and see this year’s Reunions logos.

Get social media tools: Check out the new Princeton Reunions GIFs, Facebook frames and more. And follow @princetonalumni on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and use #PrincetonReunions when posting photos and videos.

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