Past Winners
2011 - Inaugural Winners
In October 2010, Engineers Without Borders began a 12-week student-initiated informal course on sustainable development for freshmen and sophomores. The student initiators called this cohort of students and their program the Sustainable Engineering and Development Scholars (SEADS). The program’s aim is to initiate greater campus dialogue about sustainability in international development. In addition, through discussions, workshops, and hands-on activities, this group of students seeks to explore and define sustainability in today’s world, and to cultivate leaders who will impact the field of sustainable development on campus and beyond.
Bringing together two spiritual leaders, Princeton Hindu Satsangam sponsored a unique interfaith discussion titled East Meets West, featuring Dr. Cornel West and His Holiness Radhanath Swami. In front of a capacity crowd at Richardson Auditorium, these two shared their thoughts on the Divine, the values of love, understanding, and togetherness. As a result of this event, greater possibilities for both interfaith and intrafaith dialog here on Princeton’s campus have emerged. This event embodies the power of collaboration and serves as a model for how groups of differing viewpoints and beliefs may come together to better understand each other.
A week-long initiative led by Students for Education Reform, Education Week was a ground breaking awareness campaign that highlighted current issues in American public education. The program sought to empower undergraduates to take active roles in education reform. The week culminated in a panel discussion that featured New York City schools chancellor Joel Klein, Newark School Advisory Board President Shavar Jeffries, Leslie-Bernard Joseph '06, dean of students at Coney Island Prep and Teach for America alumnus, and President Shirley Tilghman who served as the moderator.
In an attempt to spark greater campus dialogue around innovation and entrepreneurship, Eden Full ’13 led the effort to host TEDxPrincetonU. The day-long event, which included presentations and discussions with President Tilghman and a number of Princeton alumni, brought together a wide range of students. Over the course of the day, artists, scientists, writers, and engineers engaged each other on issues of social change, innovation, and how students can get involved.
After identifying an opportunity to elevate the level of humor writing across college campuses, Tiger Magazine launched the First National Intercollegiate Humor Conference in April 2011. With over 90 participants from 14 colleges, the conference provided this group of humorists with a unique space to share their talents, to learn from industry professionals, and to create a national network of writers. Jim Valcourt ’12, Tiger Magazine’s president, initially pitched the idea, which ultimately transformed into a conference with significant reach and impact. Building upon the success of the inaugural conference, Tiger Magazine is already looking ahead to hosting a national gathering of humorists on an annual basis.
The original moderator of PrincetonFML, Raymond Hsu ’11 reshaped the way Princeton students communicate and connect with each other. With a passion for Princeton and an unfailing commitment to the site, Raymond effectively implemented a new online, communication tool that provided a Princeton specific platform for students to share their challenges, triumphs, tragedies, and successes. Through his unrelenting commitment to his position as the site’s moderator—a position which few knew he held—Raymond helped reveal the caring nature of the Princeton community.
In an attempt to raise the spirits of a fellow teammate who fell ill, the Men’s Swimming and Diving Team created a YouTube video that quickly went viral. With over 100,000 hits in the first two weeks of its posting, Get Better, Hasler became a symbol of camaraderie and care for a friend in need. Filmed with an iPhone, this video also represents a unique use of technology and social media.