Sights and sounds of students beginning a new academic year filled the campus — from “Welcome Back!” shout-outs, to cheers announcing the Pre-rade for the Classes of 2024 and 2025, to the chatter of students greeting friends and faculty face-to-face rather than virtually. The University has carefully prepared for this momentous welcome with protocols in place for the safety of all as the semester opens with enthusiasm.

Photo courtesy of Alba Bajri ’25

Class of 2024 students led the Pre-rade, marching through FitzRandolph Gate.

Photo: Fotobuddy

The women’s soccer team notched two wins in their first two matches. “Sharing this with our student-athletes, coaches and fans after 656 days away from competition was indescribable,” said Coach Sean Driscoll.

Photo courtesy of Princeton University Athletics

“Santa” crowd-surfed at the Class of 2024 Step Sing.

Photo: Fotobuddy

Members of Whitman College flashed “Ws” to express their residential college pride.

Photo: Denise Applewhite, Office of Communications

Selfie time with P-rade narrator Gary M. King ’79, who helped welcome students to campus

Photo: Fotobuddy

First-year students competed against classmates from the other residential colleges in the Clash of the Colleges.

Photo: Fotobuddy

Members of the Class of 2025 participated in Princeton’s three signature Orientation experiences — Community Action, Dialogue and Difference in Action, and Outdoor Action. Pictured at the Watershed Institute’s nature reserve in Hopewell, New Jersey, members of the Community Action sustainability theme helped remove invasive plants. 

Photo courtesy of Pam Podger, Watershed Institute

Dialogue and Difference in Action is an opportunity for first-year students to engage in conversations focused on identity, power, privilege and difference within the contexts of the University community and in society at large.

Photo courtesy of Eric Anglero, Gender + Sexuality Resource Center

Orientation featured an outdoor mindfulness class.

Photo: Fotobuddy

Faculty and returning students offered their best advice to new graduate students, including, from left to right: Rodney Priestley, the Pomeroy and Betty Perry Smith Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering and vice dean for innovation; Christina Lee *99, associate professor of Spanish and Portuguese; Nausheen Rajan, a graduate student in the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs; and Mélena Laudig, a graduate student in religion.

Photo: Denise Applewhite, Office of Communications

Tune every heart and every voice… Three cheers for Old Nassau!

Photo: Fotobuddy