Former Vice President Al Gore addresses graduating seniors at Princeton University's Class Day celebration on Monday, June 2, on Cannon Green.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2014)

Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber, a 1983 alumnus, delivers his first Class Day speech and recalls the history of the event, from the "Dark Ages" of earlier Class Days to the "Renaissance" of recent events.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2014)

Senior Adam Mastroianni gives a humorous speech filled with references from the past four years that resonated with seniors.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2014)

Senior Mary D'Onofrio, left, names Vice President for Campus Life Cynthia Cherrey an honorary member of the Class of 2014.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2014)

After his speech, Gore accepts a class jacket as a new honorary member of the Class of 2014, flanked by seniors (from left) Teddy Schleifer and Alisa Tiwari.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2014)

The power of friendships and the bonds between classmates is an enduring theme of Class Day.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Danielle Alio (2014)

On a sunny morning surrounded by classmates and family, seniors bask in the moment as they enjoy Class Day.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Danielle Alio (2014)

Class Day gives seniors the chance to look back before looking ahead to Commencement the next day and to their futures as Princeton alumni.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, John Jameson (2014)

Class Day, organized by seniors, features awards, lighthearted speeches and a keynote speaker selected by the class. The day was established in 1856 to give students the opportunity to celebrate their graduation and accomplishments in a less formal setting.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, John Jameson (2014)

Class president Luchi Mmegwa speaks about the achievement of graduating: "It's amazing to look out and see that we all made it to this day. Four years ago, when we all arrived on campus, we came wary of the challenges ahead … With each passing year, we became better at dealing with the challenges that make the Princeton experience one of the most remarkable and difficult college experiences anywhere in the world."

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, John Jameson (2014)

Members of the Class of 2014 sport their uniquely designed senior jackets, which they will wear in the future when they return to campus as alumni for events such as Reunions.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, John Jameson (2014)

Sanjeev Kulkarni, the new dean of the Graduate School, applauds the masters' and doctoral candidates at the Hooding ceremony.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Amaris Hardy (2014)

Chief marshal Douglas Clark presents Phi Van Phan, a master's candidate in architecture, with his hood during the June 2 Hooding ceremony at Cannon Green.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Amaris Hardy (2014)

Norman Augustine, retired chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation who earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Princeton, addresses advanced-degree recipients at Princeton's Hooding ceremony held Monday, June 2, on Cannon Green.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Mark Czajkowski (2014)

Pierina Sanchez from the Woodrow Wilson School walks across the stage to receive her hood.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Mark Czajkowski (2014)

Nearly 1,000 graduate students accompanied by their families and friends participated in the ceremony on a sunny afternoon.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Mark Czajkowski (2014)