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Retrospectives

Three people stand in a row, facing to the right and wearing serious expressions on their faces.

In the early 1990s, Princeton students formed a campus chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to advocate for racial and social justice on campus. Now, after years of fluctuating membership levels, the Princeton chapter is returning under the leadership of Chris-Tina Middlebrooks ’27, who hopes to carry on the legacy of past generations.

In the early 1990s, Princeton students formed a campus chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to advocate for racial and social justice on campus. Now, after years of fluctuating membership levels, the Princeton chapter is returning under the leadership of Chris-Tina Middlebrooks ’27, who hopes to carry on the legacy of past generations.


The Ashman Institute in 1857.

Revisiting Princeton’s ties to Lincoln University, one of the nation’s early HBCUs

At one point nicknamed the 'Black Princeton,' Lincoln University was the first American college to grant Black students degrees. The Daily Princetonian looked back at the historical ties connecting Princeton and Lincoln.

At one point nicknamed the 'Black Princeton,' Lincoln University was the first American college to grant Black students degrees. The Daily Princetonian looked back at the historical ties connecting Princeton and Lincoln.

FEATURES | 11/10/2023

Men gathered in front of Nassau Hall in white jackets, pictured in black and white.

‘Irrespective of color’: Princeton’s missed opportunity to integrate in the 1830s

188 years before the University would admit African American students, a man named David Leavitt offered the University $1,000 to admit students “irrespective of Color” and grant them “like privileges.” Despite being on the brink of financial ruin, the institution passed on the donation.

188 years before the University would admit African American students, a man named David Leavitt offered the University $1,000 to admit students “irrespective of Color” and grant them “like privileges.” Despite being on the brink of financial ruin, the institution passed on the donation.

FEATURES | 11/08/2023

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Incidents in political speech at Princeton, throughout the 20th century

While academic freedom and free speech remain hot-button debates on campus, we examined archival coverage of controversies and debates on campus throughout the 1900s.

While academic freedom and free speech remain hot-button debates on campus, we examined archival coverage of controversies and debates on campus throughout the 1900s. 

FEATURES | 11/07/2023

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A pioneering figure with a marred legacy: Syngman Rhee at Princeton

Syngman Rhee, a Princeton Ph.D. graduate, went on to become the first president of South Korea in 1948. His tenure as president was marred by controversy over autocratic tendencies.

Syngman Rhee, a Princeton Ph.D. graduate, went on to become the first president of South Korea in 1948. His tenure as president was marred by controversy over autocratic tendencies.

FEATURES | 10/11/2023

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A large white building with pillars, photographed from the ground.

Politics, porn, and polarization: a look back at Whig-Clio’s rise and fall

Over the past decades, Whig-Clio faced many challenges: dramatic membership loss, a global pandemic, and controversy over one of their most notable alumni, Ted Cruz ’92. Nevertheless, the club has remained tenacious in their fight to maintain campus relevancy. 

Over the past decades, Whig-Clio faced many challenges: dramatic membership loss, a global pandemic, and controversy over one of their most notable alumni, Ted Cruz ’92. Nevertheless, the club has remained tenacious in their fight to maintain campus relevancy. 

FEATURES | 10/01/2023

A photo of a collegiate gothic courtyard with many bicyles lined up on the left hand side.

Over 30 years, GSG has found their seat at the table

Over the years, the body has given out candy in front of Clio Hall to advocate for dental insurance, worked with administrators to change University policy to ensure Curricular Practical Training accessibility for all graduate international students, and ran a Cuisine of the Month program to create interdepartmental affinity groups.

Over the years, the body has given out candy in front of Clio Hall to advocate for dental insurance, working with administrators to change university policy to ensure Curricular Practical Training accessibility for all graduate international students, and running a Cuisine of the Month program to create inter-departmental affinity groups.

FEATURES | 09/28/2023

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After ‘Oppenheimer,’ a look back at Princeton’s complicated role in nuclear history

Last spring, filming for Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” at the Institute for Advanced Study and in East Pyne courtyard stirred excitement. The University settings in the film point to a complex history of nuclear development and protest at Princeton.

Last spring, filming for Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” at the Institute for Advanced Study and in East Pyne courtyard stirred excitement. The University settings in the film point to a complex history of nuclear development and protest at Princeton.

FEATURES | 07/26/2023

The front of Princeton Garden Theater during the day.

The University keeps Princeton's last community theater afloat, yet again

From its early status as the “runt” of Princeton’s movie theaters, the Garden Theatre has overcome financial and pandemic-related difficulties thanks to university support from the 1990s to today.

From its early status as the “runt” of Princeton’s movie theaters, the Garden Theatre has overcome financial and pandemic-related difficulties thanks to university support from the 1990s to today.

FEATURES | 04/28/2023

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Princeton is adding security measures while students call for better lighting. It’s happened before.

Campus security measures have increased over the last few decades. After the University announced the upcoming installation of more cameras, The Daily Princetonian looked back on the years of debate over campus surveillance and safety.

Campus security measures have increased over the last few decades. After the University announced the upcoming installation of more cameras, The Daily Princetonian looked back on the years of debate over campus surveillance and safety.

FEATURES | 04/02/2023

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‘A full-on Bacchanalia’: looking back at the days following the ‘end of the world’

The ‘Prince’ looked back at the days before students were sent home from Princeton’s campus in March 2020. Students described the hectic “haze” of that time, a mix between confusion and celebration as they tried to make sense of the rapidly changing environment ahead of them.

The ‘Prince’ looked back at the days before students were sent home from Princeton’s campus in March 2020. Students described the hectic “haze” of that time, a mix between confusion and celebration as they tried to make sense of the rapidly changing environment ahead of them.

FEATURES | 03/13/2023

An ice sculpture of a tiger with the words "Winter session" on it.

‘The Princeton I wanted to join’: The evolution of Wintersession

Since its conception in 2014, Princeton University’s Wintersession has provided space for students to explore and learn in a pressure-free environment. The ‘Prince’ looked at its evolution and growth into the established program it is today.

Since its conception in 2014, Princeton University’s Wintersession has provided space for students to explore and learn in a pressure-free environment. The ‘Prince’ looked at its evolution and growth into the established program it is today.

FEATURES | 01/25/2023

ROTC cadets training

The history behind ROTC that brought Gen. Mark Milley ’80 to Princeton

Following an interview with General Mark Milley ’80, a graduate of the University’s ROTC program, the ‘Prince’ examines the complex history of ROTC on campus. 

Following an interview with General Mark Milley ’80, a graduate of the University’s ROTC program, the ‘Prince’ examines the complex history of ROTC on campus. 

FEATURES | 01/12/2023