Mercer Times

Princeton University has dedicated a building named Sonia Sotomayor Hall, located at 36 University Place, in honor of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, a member of the Class of 1976. The dedication took place on April 11, in a ceremony held at Chancellor Green. Alongside the building dedication, the University also unveiled a portrait of Justice Sotomayor, which will join its campus art collection.

Justice Sotomayor shared her gratitude, saying, “I am deeply touched to have my name become a permanent part of Princeton. Thank you, Princeton, for all I have become and for all the good your generations of students have brought into this world.”

President Christopher L. Eisgruber remarked on the significance of the event: “an exciting and historic day for Princeton,” he stated. “With this portrait and naming, your remarkable legacy will be memorialized on this campus for generations to come.”

Earlier that day, Justice Sotomayor participated in a discussion with President Eisgruber at Richardson Auditorium, reflecting on her life and career. She has served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court since 2009, being the first justice of Hispanic heritage and the third woman on the court.

Justice Sotomayor expressed her thanks to those who impacted her Princeton experience, noting, “My unexpected life journey started the day I was accepted to attend this University. This is a place that helps make dreams come true.”

Sonia Sotomayor Hall serves multiple purposes, including housing the Emma Bloomberg Center for Access and Opportunity, and the undergraduate Admission Information Center, as well as supporting programs for first-generation college, lower-income, transfer, and veteran students.

Commenting on the honor, Vice Provost for Institutional Equity and Diversity Michele Minter stated that Justice Sotomayor “better demonstrates” Princeton’s commitments to “scholarship, service, community and excellence.” Emeritus Trustee C. Kim Goodwin added: “We are all extremely excited and very invested in celebrating your exceptional achievements.”

Eisgruber spoke of Justice Sotomayor’s transformative journey at Princeton, reflecting on her initial feelings of being “a visitor landing in an alien country,” and how she later found a community.

Justice Sotomayor's portrait by artist Paul Newton was highlighted as one of 11 new artworks commissioned by the University since 2018. Justice Sotomayor expressed appreciation for the artwork, which she described as bringing her “alive in such a moving way.”

During her conversation at Richardson Auditorium, Justice Sotomayor answered questions from students about her career, her decision to study at Princeton, and provided advice for aspiring lawyers, emphasizing the importance of curiosity: “That’s what you need — curiosity — to be an effective lawyer.”

Justice Sotomayor avoided discussing specific Supreme Court cases but encouraged student involvement in democracy, emphasizing: “Laws are made by people. People change laws. Voting changes law. It requires effort.”

Princeton University has honored Justice Sotomayor’s accomplishments as both an alumna and trustee in various capacities, including the establishment of the Sonia Sotomayor 1976 Scholarship Fund and an updated informal motto inspired by her words. Additionally, other spaces and portraits on campus have been named or commissioned, celebrating a diverse range of individuals with ties to the university.