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.
February’s postcard about “The Evolution of the Alumni Association” was just released:
In the early 1800s, the College of New Jersey was experiencing declining enrollment and finances as more northern colleges surged in popularity. President James Carnahan ’1800 considered closing the college, but Professor John Maclean ’1816 suggested drawing on the loyalty and affection of alumni for help by creating an association dedicated to engagement and interest in the wellbeing of their alma mater. The trustees agreed, named Maclean college vice president and presented the plan to alumni at Commencement, Sept. 27, 1826. The alumni voted unanimously for the Alumni Association of Nassau Hall with James Madison ’1771 *1772 as president and Maclean as secretary. In the 1830s, a letter was sent to alumni asking for help to “elevate” the College “to a level with the first colleges in the nation.” Alumni responded with funds for additional faculty and buildings - East College in 1833 and West in 1836 - alleviating overcrowding in Nassau Hall. In 1904, the trustees established a separate Committee of Fifty specifically for fundraising (initially for 50 new preceptors), and in 1909, the trustees transformed the committee into the Graduate Council with an expanded mandate to include areas of alumni engagement, superseding the Alumni Association of Nassau Hall. In 1919, the Graduate Council was consolidated with all the associations and clubs and became the governing body of the new National Alumni Association. Fundraising was eliminated as its charge in 1940, and the Graduate Council became the Alumni Council in 1957. In 1969, the National Alumni Association became the Alumni Association, reflecting the global alumni community. A Feb. 23, 1926 New York Times article, “Princeton Alumni Attend Centennial,” reported that Madison’s portrait (above, right) was unveiled in Nassau Hall during the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Alumni Association, which was “the best attended alumni weekend in Princeton history” with “more than 1,000 returning Princetonians.” Today that portrait is displayed in historic Maclean House, the home of the Alumni Association, a fitting tribute to both Maclean and Madison.
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.
