Do you know which building on campus was the first to be named for a woman?
Why did the College of New Jersey (ultimately Princeton University) move to Princeton from Newark?
Where was Picasso’s first home for “Head of a Woman,” and when did it move?
“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.
April’s postcard about “Princeton’s Academy Award-Winning Documentary” was just released:
“In 1972, the University commissioned film producers DeWitt Sage and Julian Krainin to create a documentary about Princeton for admissions and alumni. After spending a semester on campus attending classes and seminars, speaking with faculty, students and staff to determine content, the duo filmed 14 hours of footage that became a 30-minute documentary entitled “Princeton: A Search for Answers.” On April 2, 1974, the film received the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject. Later, Sage suggested the statuette “visit” Robert K. Durkee ’69, former University vice president and secretary, who had worked closely with the producers. The statuette was on display in his office for many years. In addition to the Oscar, the film also received awards and citations from other organizations including the International Film Festival in Florence, the Atlanta International Film Festival, the Columbus Film Festival and the Information Film Producers of America. In 2013, “Princeton: A Search for Answers” was screened at the Museum of Modern Art as part of their Oscar Film Series. Durkee noted, “The film was a way to communicate a message about the core purpose of the University, which is a search for answers.” Today Princeton continues to search for answers. The documentary can be seen on YouTube.”
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.
