Mercer Times

Princeton professor Lorgia García-Peña, Class of 1986 graduate Jim Lee, and Nobel laureate and Class of 1986 graduate Maria Ressa have been named to the 2024 list of America’s “Great Immigrants” by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. This year, 24 naturalized citizens received the annual award in recognition of their contributions to enrich American society and strengthen democracy, according to the Carnegie Corporation. The philanthropic foundation sponsors the annual “Great Immigrants, Great Americans” campaign to celebrate “immigrants’ vital role in American life.” This year’s winners represent education, public service, the arts, journalism, health and other fields.

Lorgia García-Peña is a professor at the Effron Center for the Study of America and African American Studies. She also serves as the director of Princeton’s Program in Latino Studies. Born in the Dominican Republic, she immigrated to the United States at age 12. Her research specializes in race and colonialism and Afro-Latinx studies. She has won several awards including the 2017 National Women’s Studies Association Gloria E. Anzaldúa Book Prize, the 2016 Latino/a Studies Book Award, and was named a 2021 Freedom Scholar by the Marguerite Casey Foundation.

Jim Lee is president publisher and chief creative officer of DC Comics. The renowned comic book artist earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Princeton in 1986. He was born in South Korea and moved to the United States while in elementary school. Lee has received numerous awards for his work including the Harvey Special Award for New Talent in 1990 and multiple Wizard Fan Awards.

Maria Ressa is a journalist who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 for her commitment to freedom of expression and democratic government. She is CEO and co-founder of Rappler.com based in the Philippines. Ressa earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Princeton with certificates in dance and theater. Born in the Philippines, she immigrated to the United States at age 9.

Other recent “Great Immigrant” honorees from Princeton include Nobel laureate Syukuro (Suki) Manabe; Kwame Anthony Appiah; Sir Angus Deaton; Aleksander Hemon; and Daniel Kahneman.