“Postcards to Alumni” is a collection of monthly digital postcards featuring unique facts about Princeton’s history. The postcards were introduced in December 2022 by the Alumni Council’s Princetoniana and Communications and Technology (CAT) Committees who collaborated on the project.

May’s postcard about the “Old Nassau“ Wave was just released:

“In 1756, Princeton, then known as the College of New Jersey, consisted only of Nassau Hall and was commonly referred to as Nassau College, Nassau or, affectionately, Old Nassau. In its early history, Nassau Hall served as dorm and classroom, was occupied by the British, functioned as the temporary seat of American government and survived two major fires that destroyed its interior. It stirred a common spirit of pride, sentiment and affection that Harlan Peck 1862 captured in his 1859 song, “Old Nassau.” Alexander Moffat 1884 introduced the wave gesture when singing “Old Nassau,” apparently drawing on the custom of removing one’s hat to show honor and respect. The wave included standing when “Old Nassau” begins, removing hat, placing it in front of the body and waving it outwards and back during the chorus. Those without a hat were to do the wave exactly the same but with an imaginary hat. In May 1910, a senior’s letter to the Daily Princetonian noted that waving hats during the chorus gives “expression to our common spirit.” When we sing “Old Nassau” today and wave our “hats,” remember that we are sharing that common spirit with all those who came before us. Photo taken at the April 2024 meeting of the Alumni Council.”

The postcards are being shared monthly with alumni around the globe via numerous digital channels.

“Our work as a committee is not only about collecting and archiving history, memorabilia and traditions but also how to share it and engage alumni,” said Jean Hendry *80, former chair of the Princetoniana committee, who is leading this initiative. “We brainstormed projects that would enable us to connect with alumni on a regular basis. At the same time, we didn’t want a project that caused alumni to have to do anything other than feel a connection to the University. ‘Postcards’ seemed to fit the bill.”

To research and collect the facts, Hendry tapped the Princetoniana committee. While Princetoniana members are experts in Princeton history and traditions, they leaned on the CAT Committee’s expertise in technology to help design the digital postcards. Credit for the initial postcard design belongs to CAT Committee member Cindy Drakeman ’02 who sourced images, conceived the nostalgic postcard look and “stamp” designs, suggested using “Dispatch” on the postcard to lend a nostalgic feel, and created many of the postcards. Credit goes to Princetoniana committee member Tom Swift ’76 for designing the initial postcard.

“We were so happy when Princetoniana approached us with the postcard idea,” said Michael Lin ’13, former vice chair of the CAT Committee. “The pandemic brought on an increase and a need for digital communication and initiatives, and this is a great one, much like Orange & Black Day that our committee helped introduce last year. ‘Postcards’ provides yet another opportunity to engage with alumni across the world and share the love of Princeton, while also bringing awareness to the great resource of Princetoniana and its museum.”

“Postcards to Alumni” will appear as a monthly feature in Tiger News and on @PrincetonAlumni social media channels. The postcards will also be archived in the Princetoniana virtual museum.