“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.

June’s postcard about the “Senior Step Sing“ was just released:

“The Senior Step Sing began in 1759 on the steps of Nassau Hall where students gathered prior to graduation to sing “old favorites.” After singing their final song, which became “Old Nassau” after 1859, the seniors cheered the juniors who then turned the steps over to them, who subsequently cheered the seniors, and sang an “old Princeton song.” Brown Ralston, Class of 1910, wrote in the Princeton Alumni Weekly that “the ceremony of turning over the steps to the new seniors was a stirring, moving experience when the seniors realized that they really were going out into the wide, wide world.” Juniors participated in the Senior Step Sing as late as 1930, as reported by the Daily Princetonian, but in later years, were no longer included. Interest in the Senior Step Sing waned somewhat but was reinvigorated in 1981, when the tradition was moved to Blair Arch. Today, seniors enthusiastically attend this final class gathering, which is a moving experience when they sing the final song, “Old Nassau,” and realize it marks the conclusion of their undergraduate years.”

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.