Mercer Times

President Christopher L. Eisgruber welcomed incoming students to Princeton University during the annual Opening Exercises ceremony on Sunday, September 1. He expressed his hopes that Princeton’s commitment to the liberal arts would provide them with a “transcendent education.”

“Liberal arts education includes a commitment to the idea that learning and research are among the activities that enable the human spirit to soar,” Eisgruber told the entering transfer students and members of the Class of 2028, seated for the ceremony on the lawn in front of Nassau Hall.

“That education is not just for success, or for citizenship, it is also valuable for its own sake,” he noted.

Opening Exercises is a longstanding Princeton tradition dating back to at least 1802. The interfaith ceremony marks the start of a new academic year for undergraduate and graduate students — classes begin September 3 — and includes the awarding of undergraduate academic prizes.

In presenting this year’s honors, Dean of the College Michael D. Gordin said the six students showed “superb academic accomplishments” along with a wide range of scholarly interests.

The event also provided an opportunity to reflect on the values that guide the Princeton community. Eisgruber expressed his appreciation for a campus “that values the fearless pursuit of truth, cherishes the importance of service, and celebrates the dazzling diversity of identities, cultures, faiths, and backgrounds that form the rich tapestry of our community.”

Eisgruber’s address connected to themes from this year’s Pre-Read book, “The Worlds I See” by Fei-Fei Li. A trailblazing computer scientist and Class of 1999 graduate, Li will discuss her book with Eisgruber and incoming students at the Pre-Read Assembly tonight.

“The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI” blends Li’s personal story as a young immigrant and scientist with origin stories of artificial intelligence and human-centered AI. Li writes how she flourished at Princeton, sharing memories like how the University’s vast library collections made her feel that she was “in the presence of something transcendent.”

“I love that idea of ‘something transcendent,’” Eisgruber said, “because I think it expresses a profound insight about this place and the education that happens here.”

Li’s undergraduate studies “exemplified the breadth that we expect from a liberal arts education at Princeton,” he said.

“She became a leader in computer science by posing novel questions about how the human mind categorizes images — questions inspired by art, psychology, and neuroscience among other fields.”

Looking out at rows of students wearing their colorful residential college shirts, Eisgruber said: “We want you to feel the thrill of discovery, to get carried away by ideas, and to get lost in thought. We hope that amidst books, experiments, artworks and equations you will sometimes feel as Fei-Fei Li did — that you are in presence of something transcendent.”

“We hope these moments will give you joy and kindle a life-long love of learning,” he added.

Along with expressing gratitude for gathering for Opening Exercises, Eisgruber opened by asking students to join him “in observing a moment of silent compassion for all people who bear burdens such as injustice or poverty.”

The event included readings and blessings led by students and an invocation by Dean Theresa Thames. “May we welcome new truths and build a community where every person can truly belong,” Thames said.

Following Opening Exercises was Pre-rade where alumni cheered on new students along with faculty members including President Eisgruber.

Opening Exercises was part of Princeton's robust Orientation programming introducing students to academic life at Princeton. In his third annual Orientation session on academic freedom held last week alongside Vice President W. Rochelle Calhoun underscored vibrant discussion within university life.

Orientation included three small group experiences: Outdoor Action allowed undergraduates disconnect through camping; Community Action introduced first-year students to civic engagement; Dialogue & Difference engaged critical conversations around identity.

Opening Exercises can be viewed on YouTube channel archived online later viewing.