PRINCETON REUNIONS 2023
Here we are in May 2023 at the 67th reunion of my Princeton Class of 1956 – the second year that we’ve been classified under the rubric
“Old Guard”.
But first, let me set the scene. And at Princeton, everything begins with venerable Nassau Hall, which housed the Continental Congress back in Revolutionary times.
These Princeton Tigers do yearlong guard duty outside the front entrance.
(Top) Nassau Hall’s distinctive bell tower. (Bottom) This plaque honoring our Class of 1956 adorns the front of Nassau Hall – affixed at our 25th reunion in 1981, when I was serving as Class President.
An archetype of the venerable campus I knew six decades ago. (I'm not completely sold on the extensive "modern" additions of recent years.)
A few structural embellishments.
(Top) This is a poignant memorial to Princetonians who were World Trade Center victims on 9/11. (Bottom) The Joseph Henry House, originally built in 1838 and moved three times before its present location near Nassau Hall.
Stately rooftops galore.
A familiar campus panorama anchored by Blair Arch.
Some nearby dorms.
Frankly, I can’t place this building, but I do like the shot.
The 65th Reunion and the Old Guard shared headquarters at
Forbes College.
The front entrance to Forbes.
The view behind Forbes, gazing out at the Princeton golf course.
Every Reunion Friday there’s a daytime Battle of the Alumni Bands, which I’ve lately been participating in as the solo ’56 representative (and oldest entrant). I open my annual set with
The locations for the 5th and 10th reunions and their satellite classes.
Now it’s Saturday, which is highlighted by the annual reunion P-Rade.
The top view is through the University’s front gate on Nassau Street,
as Nassau Hall prepares to be besieged.
While some alumni pose for a picture, Princeton’s president marches off to deliver his annual address to reunion attendees.
(Top) This class photo is taking place on the steps of Clio Hall.
(Bottom) These faces and messages will be hoisted on high
by alumni in the P-Rade.
Student-driven golf carts are provided for those of us oldsters who want to participate but are leery of walking the entire mile-long P-Rade route.
But when ’56 stepped out, I was on my feet (wearing my black "ndy" hat –
“not done yet”). I stayed erect until the classes lining the route were sufficiently young that I couldn’t possibly know anyone in them.
Scenes along the P-Rade route.
A big tiger, a troop of bagpipers, and some old guy toting a cane.
I finally sat down where I belonged, and then finished up with my son Erik, who had come down to Princeton to make sure his dad emerged upright.
". . . in praise of Old Nassau . . ."