Princeton Class of 1972 Memorial Scholarship

 

Among the proudest and longest-lasting accomplishments of the Class of 1972 is our Memorial Scholarship, an endowed fund established in 1983. To date, 28 undergraduate students have received grants.

This report for our 50th Reunion includes a description of the Scholarship Fund, the classmates who select our Scholars and a roster. See especially the heartwarming personal updates from 23 of the Class of 1972 Scholars we helped along the way.

Ron Brown ‘72
Chair, Scholar Selection Committee

Financial Awards and Selection Criteria

Financial aid is ever more important. The Undergraduate Announcement for 1967-1968 informed us that tuition and fees were $1,950, board was $690 and room charges were $470. Today the estimated cost for a year at Princeton is $79,900. 61% of undergraduates receive financial aid; 83% graduate free from debt. 

Thanks to hundreds of gifts from classmates, and effective investment management by PRINCO, as of March 31, 2022 our Fund had a market value of $2,057,968. The face value of gifts received was $370,561. In FY22, grants totaling $76,887 will be paid to our Scholars.

Every year, our Scholar Selection Committee picks a student in the incoming class from nominations provided by the Financial Aid Office. If their families continue to qualify for need-based financial aid, Scholars receive grants in each of their four years at Princeton.

Criteria for selection include high academic rating by the Office of Admission, participation in a major sport, first in family to attend college, geographic and racial/ethnic diversity. We alternate between male and female Scholars.

The pandemic years of 2020-2022 are unusual in so many ways. One Scholar took a year off then returned to campus, so our Class is helping five students in FY22: Kara Steele ’21, Andrew Paul ’22 (from Liguanea, Jamaica, our first international Scholar), Amelia Liu ’23, Scott Bandura ’24 and Ellen Toberman ’25.   

Our first Class of 1972 Scholar was Samantha Pearson ’91, selected in 1987. Sam majored in architecture at Princeton and continued her education at Harvard and the University of Virginia, where she earned her MArch. She has worked in architecture, sustainability, campus planning and neighborhood revitalization. As Healthy Communities Program Manager for the Pennsylvania Downtown Center she plans and advocates for biking, walking and transit – safe, accessible and inviting transportation options in general – across the state. In addition, she volunteers with a variety of nonprofits. (See Sam’s update below.)

 

Class of 1972 Scholar Selection Committee

 Fritz Cammerzell, III                     Dorothy Kemper
Christopher Forbes                     Priscilla Stumm

          William deGolian                         Skip Rankin, ex officio

        Robert Murley                              Ronald Brown, chair

Martin Franks                               (non-voting)

 

The Scholars are extraordinary young men and women. Dorothy Kemper, who has served on the Selection Committee since the beginning, says “Participating in the selection of the Class of '72 Scholar is a reminder of the good that Princeton’s financial aid programs have achieved. These kids are remarkable. It has been a real honor and pleasure for this former admissions officer and scholarship recipient to learn about them, to follow their successes, and to celebrate them.”

Robert Murley, another founding member of the Selection Committee, remembers that “During my first year as Class President following our 10th Reunion, we started our Class of 72 Memorial Scholarship Fund. At the time, there were few classes which had one and ours was one of the first. It is both amazing and gratifying to see how much the fund has grown over all these years. In fact, I believe that our Scholarship Fund is now the largest of its kind at Princeton. It has become a justifiable source of pride for our class. All 28 of our Class of 72 Scholars have been exceptional. In fact, two of them [Sydney Jordan ‘19 and Landis Stankievech ‘08] won the Pyne Prize! What a wonderful way for the Class of ‘72 to help students in need and to stay connected with the next generation.”

The founding chair of the Scholar Selection Committee was Douglas Eisenhart, who served from 1983-2000. In addition to Kemper and Murley, original committee member Fritz Cammerzell continues to serve. In the year 2000, William DeGolian, Christopher Forbes, Martin Franks, and Priscilla Stumm became members, and Ronald Brown was appointed Chair. Class President Skip Rankin is ex-officio.

Special thanks to Fritz for introducing the Scholars to the Class of 1972 and engaging them in Class activities such as Reunions and Alumni Day dinners. He notes that “These kids very quickly learn, and come to appreciate, exactly what it means to be a 1972 Scholar. It is looked upon as a real distinction.”

President Rankin expressed thanks to the Selection Committee for its thoughtful approach to choosing the Class of 1972 Scholars: “You have made excellent decisions among very highly qualified nominees, and you should be proud of your contribution to the continuing legacy established by the Class of 1972 Memorial Scholarship. In reviewing the roster, I am reminded of all of the well-deserving students we have been able to assist and watch as they pursue successful careers in a variety of fields. It has been a deeply gratifying experience.”

Priscilla Stumm wrote that “It’s been an honor and a pleasure to be a part of selecting our ’72 Class Scholars. The program is such a wonderful way for the class to connect with a student at the beginning of his or her Princeton experience. Being chosen as our Scholar provides a sense of being supported by another part of the Princeton community, not only financially, but personally as well. I think we know how much the Scholars appreciate this from the letters they have written to our class and from the way they show up for many of our class events on campus.

“Every year I am reminded of how young these men and women are and how long it has been since we were in their shoes. But never mind! We share a bond that never grows old even though we do. What our class is doing to cheer them on is something we can celebrate.” 

Martin Franks added that “I have not been able to know personally many of our Class Scholars, but I find great pleasure in following their progress as they add their chapters to the story of our class. It is another great way to maintain connections to Princeton, even 50 years later.”

Many thanks to Catherine Beach from the Financial Aid Office for her nominations from the first award in 1987 through her retirement in 2021, and to Princeton staffers Christine Hill, Yuki Laurenti, Roberta O’Hara and Frances Yuan for managing the Scholar notification process and providing financial reports.

And of course, thank you to the many generous donors whose gifts make the Scholarship fund a reality. The Class is not promoting new lifetime gifts. To make a gift through your will please name the Princeton University Class of 1972 Memorial Scholarship.

 

Roster of Class of 1972 Scholars

Ellen L. Toberman ’25               Connor Clegg ’14 h72

Scott L. Bandura ’24                   Megan L. Bowen ‘13

Amelia I. Liu ’23                         Molly E. Hamrick ‘13

Caitlin Bish ’23                            Marc A. Hagel ‘12

Andrew M. Paul ’22                    Johanna K. Valdez ‘11

Kyla D. Sears ’22                        Chad A. Faulkner ‘10

Kara A. Steele ’21                       Megan A. Brandeland ‘09

Andrew J. Griffin ’20                 Landis J. Stankievech ‘08

Evan S. Elig ’20                           Tara S. Whitty ‘05

Sydney Jordan ’19                      Thomas J. Reichel ‘04

Deion A. King ’18 h72                Mark A. Matuska ‘01

Delaney K. Johnson ’17              Karla M. Rasche ‘97

Max Skelly ’16                             Paul R. O’Neill ‘96

Olivia A. Sayvetz ’15                   Samantha Pearson ’91 S91

 

 

Updates from Class of 1972 Scholars

Ellen Toberman ‘25

Hello, Class of 1972! My name is Ellen Toberman and I'm from Janesville, Wisconsin. I'm pursuing a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. On campus, I am a part of the Engineers Without Borders Kenya Team, the Society of Women Engineers, and the Princeton Sailing Team. Because of this year's circumstances, the Engineers Without Borders activities have been limited to online communication and organization with the team in Kenya for future projects, but I hope to eventually be a part of the project team that travels to Kenya. In the fall, I was a part of the Society of Women Engineers' High School Engineering Colloquium which included some virtual events with local female high school students to encourage their interests in STEM. Through the Princeton Sailing Team, I am learning how to sail and working to advance to the competitive team.

My first year at Princeton has been better than anything I had imagined. One thing that I have found is that the Princeton community is wonderfully supportive. Both the people on campus, such as underclassmen, and the amazing alumni! It was great to meet some of you on Alumni Day! 

Thank you for your support.

 

Amelia Liu ‘23

My time at Princeton has been unforgettable. Though the COVID-19 pandemic prompted an unconventional Princeton experience, it made me cherish my freshman-year memories even more. One of my favorites includes pushing my coaches into the pool after winning the Women's swimming and diving Ivy League Championships. After demolishing Harvard and Yale, we sang "We Are the Champions" on the bus ride back to Princeton, pumping our fists in the air and admiring our new dazzling trophy. Even though I'm a student-athlete, I haven't missed out on fulfilling my academic dreams. Every day, I study under world-class chemistry professors in Frick Laboratory, the most beautiful building on campus (though I am biased). With your support, I have been able to pursue brilliance in both the laboratory and the pool. I have cherished every single moment here, and I am excited for the new memories I will make during my senior year. Thank you.

After having some time to reflect on my Princeton experience now that I am coming up on my first reunion, I am truly thankful for the communities I got to be a part of during my time at Princeton and the opportunity to just be around such remarkable humans that I learned so much from every day. Whether it was being around my fellow teammates, Cannon Dial Elm members, or Matheyites, it was nice to feel the support of other like-minded students as I pushed myself to do my best in the classroom and on the track.

Caitlin Bish ‘23

Being a part of the softball program at Princeton has been such an incredible experience. Throughout my time on the team, I have made lifelong friends and have developed many skills that will serve me well in life after school. It is a privilege to train at the best athletic facilities and receive instruction from great coaches, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to play softball at such a high level while more importantly receiving a world-class education.

 

Kyla Sears ‘21

As my time at Princeton comes to a bittersweet close, I reflect with nothing but gratitude for the experiences and people I encountered during my time here. I found a second home in the History courtyard up campus, at ‘52 Stadium, in our team locker room, and in the Cannon-Dial-Elm eating club.

I am following in the footsteps of my grandfather, Dial Lodge member Kendrick Sears (class of 1955), who has had a significant impact on my decision to attend Princeton and made my time at the University that much more special to me. Throughout my years here I have felt as though I am walking alongside his footsteps, and the footsteps of so many amazing minds that came before me. I am thrilled to join this welcoming family of accomplished alumni in the coming months.

As a Captain of the Women’s lacrosse team here on campus, the past few years navigating Covid-19 and the impacts on athletics has been extremely challenging. In order to preserve athletic eligibility, several teammates and I took a yearlong leave of absence in 2021 to return this year with our senior season intact. The best way I can describe this time off is as if we were studying abroad; many of us worked remotely while living in Park City, Utah where we hiked all the western national parks on the weekends. I am extremely fortunate to have had this time away from school to learn a little bit more outside the classroom, pursue professional endeavors I may have never had the chance to, and reflect on why we hold our time at Princeton so dear.

My team has returned to campus this year with the mantra of gratitude guiding our “redemption” season. We are also playing for our esteemed head coach Chris Sailer in her final year before retirement, as we chase a seventh straight Ivy League championship. After graduation I will be moving to New York City where I will be working in the consulting industry this fall.

I would like to thank the Class of 1972 again for their generous donation to Princeton, which has allowed me to further my education at such a prestigious school. I will forever be indebted to the class for giving me the opportunity to make such cherished memories and learn such timeless lessons. I wish you the best in the upcoming spring months and look forward to joining you at reunions this May!


Kara Steele ‘21

After having some time to reflect on my Princeton experience now that I am coming up on my first reunion, I am truly thankful for the communities I got to be a part of during my time at Princeton and the opportunity to just be around such remarkable humans that I learned so much from every day. Whether it was being around my fellow teammates, Cannon Dial Elm members, or Matheyites, it was nice to feel the support of other like-minded students as I pushed myself to do my best in the classroom and on the track.

My proudest moment during my time at Princeton occurred about 15 hours before my senior thesis was due. I had been working long, long hours to finish my thesis, but I had to step away from the library grind for my last home track meet. I had debated not going to the meet as I was worried I was too tired to compete and worried about not having enough time to finalize my thesis. But I am so glad I went. On my sixth and final jump of the meet, I jumped a massive PR, moved into the 2nd all-time spot for the event, and qualified for the regional meet.

After enjoying the moment and celebrating that I had achieved a massive goal of mine for an hour or so, I returned to Firestone to finish and turn in my thesis that night, highly satisfied with the quality of the work. This moment highlighted for me how my time at Princeton taught me about resilience and prepared me to manage a lot of demanding tasks with grace. I am grateful for the lessons Princeton taught me and the ways that it challenged me to grow in ways I didn’t know were possible.

 

 

Andrew Griffin ‘20

I was asked to write a short paragraph about my "stellar" football career at Princeton, but unfortunately that would be too short a paragraph and I will be forced to fill it with other parts of my Princeton experience as well. I was a wide receiver on the football team for 4 years but played only special teams for the first three years of my career while I watched the great Steve Carlson (currently playing for the Cleveland Browns) and Jesper Horsted (currently playing for the Chicago Bears) catch passes in front of me. I was lucky enough to ride their coattails to 2 Ivy League Championships in 2016 and 2018, the latter year ending with a bonfire after an undefeated 10-0 season. I finally got my chance during my senior season and caught enough passes to be able to tell my children that I actually did play wide receiver, with a bonus fluke game at Bucknell that put me in the Ivy League record books for four touchdowns in a single game. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut.

Off the field I had an even better experience - if you can believe it. I majored in Computer Science with 2 certificates for "Technology and Public Policy", as well as "Values and Public Life", which gave me a broad technical background as well as exposure to my favorite courses in the classics, philosophy and political theory. John Locke, David Hume, and John Rawls all stick with me today just as much as Alan Turing. I took full advantage of the humanities courses available to me, but somehow still took for granted the immersion into history and literature that we all experienced with classmates and friends while on campus. I recently started up a small book club with a few classmates of mine finishing our first book, "Crime and Punishment", this past month. I plan to spend the year digging in on Russian Literature, with a few more Dostoyevsky classics in the queue. Please reach out to me if you have any more suggestions! I also spent a fair bit of time at Cannon Dial Elm, ending my tenure as President of the club right before we were sent home in early 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It's difficult for me to express my gratitude for the Class of 1972. I was adopted by the class after my freshman year. Having the opportunity to attend Princeton University while having multiple older siblings in college/graduate school concurrently while allowing my parents to be comfortable and myself to graduate without debt was an extraordinary blessing. I am forever thankful to be a '72 Scholar and always wear it as a badge of honor. Many nights at the Fritz-Carlton bickering/fraternizing with Fritz, Fred and Hen will forever be a highlight, but just as special are the many conversations with members of the class after games, during reunions, and class dinners.

Congratulations on your 50th Reunion, I can't wait to celebrate with you all!

 

Evan Elig ‘20

My time at Princeton was incredibly meaningful to my growth as a person. Coming from Southern California, it was quite an adjustment in terms of new friends, difficult classes, weather, etc., but it couldn’t have been made any easier by the class of 1972. I’ve enjoyed getting to know many of you in my 4 years at Princeton through class dinners, post-football game receptions, and reunions (special thanks to Fritz obviously) and I can’t wait to see you all again very soon. After graduating with a degree in Economics I decided to move back to San Diego where I’m currently working as a Financial Analyst for a real estate investment firm.  I couldn’t be happier with where I am and what I do now, and I’m forever grateful for ‘72. If only I had 4 more years I’d go back in a heartbeat.

 

Sydney Jordan ‘19

Hello Class of '72 and congratulations on your 50th Reunion!

Being a part of the Princeton family is an incredible honor, and I am so grateful to your class for supporting my journey as a Tiger. Since graduating in 2019, I remain so appreciative of all the Princeton experience has done for me. As an undergraduate I was able to play for four years on the Women's Basketball team, winning the Ivy League twice and going to three NCAA tournaments. Watching my team win their first-round game this year was incredible, but even more incredible was texting back and forth with all the other PWBB alumni who were watching and supporting from all over the country.

I was also lucky enough to get involved in various communities while on campus--in USG and the Office of Religious Life--as well as off, from a PIIRS Global Seminar in Berlin to a Princeton Internship in Civic Service at a nonprofit in Washington, DC.

But I think I am most thankful simply for the people I have met, from teammates and friends to professors and alumni like you all, who have helped me grow as a student and a person and have taught me about service, community, and care. I am currently pursuing a joint JD and PhD in Philosophy at Stanford and even on a new campus I am constantly reminded of these valuable lessons and will continue to work to carry them out each day. I hope that this Reunions brings back all the best memories for the Class of '72 of the lessons learned as a student and serves as an opportunity to be reminded of those values moving forward. I know Reunions will be such an experience for me!

As always, I can't say thank you enough to the Class of '72 for everything y'all have made possible for me.

 

Delaney Johnson '17

As my 5th reunion approaches, I often find myself thinking of my time at Princeton. One memory that stands out is daily late night studying with my roommate and best friend. Each evening, we had our routine of going to Firestone and sitting in the dimly lit atrium to study. We would stay until the library closed, which was signaled by a loud alarm bell that went off at 11:45 PM. Each night, the bell startled us without fail, and we would jump out of our seats and then laugh at ourselves for once again being surprised. At the time, this seemed insignificant and just a funny occurrence, but as I once again find myself studying late into the night as a medical student, I often miss those Firestone evenings. 

When I think back to Princeton, it’s all gratitude. I am grateful for all the lifelong friends I made who have continued to support me outside of the Orange bubble. I am grateful for my time on the Swimming & Diving team where I made some of my closest friends, was inspired daily to work hard, and gained lifelong lessons that I still cherish today. I am grateful for the world class education that also gave me the preparation to enter medical school where I am currently completing an MD-MBA degree (Tufts University School of Medicine Class of 2024!). And most of all, I am thankful for the Class of ’72 for making it possible through the Scholar program. 

Congratulations on your 50th! Have a wonderful time at Reunions, and I hope to see some of you there!

 

 

Max Skelly ‘16

At Princeton, I was a senior captain for the Sprint Football team, which dominated most of my Princeton experience. Although we were not the most athletically successful, that group of men remain some of my closest friends. Many of them attended my wedding recently (to a fellow Princetonian!), and I was thrilled to see that, even though I’ve since relocated across the country to sunny Los Angeles, the friendships I forged were strong enough to make the trip out.

To the Class of 1972, congratulations on celebrating your 50th reunion. The scholarship you provided to me completely altered the path of my life, and I cannot truly express my gratitude in words. I’ve since continued my education, pursuing an MBA at the Marshall School of Business, and I will be joining a boutique management consulting firm (founded by another Princetonian, Class of 1999) here in Los Angeles. I look forward to seeing many of you and celebrating with you at Reunions in May. 

Rah rah rah

Tiger, tiger, tiger

Sis, sis, sis

Boom, boom, boom, ah!

72! 72! 72!

 

Olivia Sayvetz ‘15

It was a brisk Saturday morning in early May 2015, and like each and every Saturday morning in the spring for the prior 4 years, I found myself launching onto the ever-so-familiar waters of Princeton's Lake Carnegie. But unlike each of those times before, this morning marked the very last time I would proudly don my orange and black unisuit on Lake Carnegie as a Princeton Tiger. Senior Day 2015. We were racing USC that day -- an extremely formidable west coast competitor in women's rowing, with an undefeated track record against the Tigers. A tough match up for what would be our final race on our home waters. 

At the starting line, the umpire aligns our bows, my stroke seat and I lock eyes, and we hold our breath through the seconds of silence that feel like ages preceding the starting signal. A countdown, and we were off! Our starting sequence launches us off the starting line. First 30 strokes and I haven't even looked out to see where we are. I can hear the crash of USC's oars. We are going stroke for stroke, neck in neck. 

While Princeton's 2015 Women's Rowing Team did in fact orchestrate one of the best upsets against USC on that day, it is more than the victory that stands out in my memory. It would be easy to point to a final race or to our graduation day as the most memorable moments at Princeton, but these moments are really just the culmination of all the in-between, highly formative moments that happen at Princeton everyday -- those late night walks back from Firestone, the blueberry muffins at Whitman dining hall, Julien Zelizer's existential final lecture, jumping into the Woody Wu fountain after finishing my thesis, waking up before the sun for yet another early morning practice at the boathouse. It is these moments -- the countless hours of training, of studying, the camaraderie, the thrill, the pride, the challenge and the growth that I experienced on the waters of Lake Carnegie and in the classrooms of Old Nassau that are forever burned into my mind. 

Princeton changed the trajectory of my life. Whether it was writing my senior thesis, engaging in a late-night Socratic seminar, or leading a 6AM rowing practice on a freezing February morning, I’d found my “element.” I was engrossed in my life at Princeton. I finally had the runway to shape the life I wanted to lead, to determine the experiences I wanted to have, and to become the person I wanted to be.

Princeton fostered in me unwavering self-reliance and the willingness to bet on myself over and over again. Princeton empowered me to influence the outcomes in my life and fueled me with the indomitable spirit to pursue the life I want to lead, and the world I want to see, no matter the circumstances.

 

Connor Clegg ’14 h72

To the Great Class of 1972: Hello from Milwaukee! In June, I’ll start my career in private practice with Hawks Quindel, S.C., a labor and employment law firm that represents employees and unions. Nearly twelve years ago, when I stepped on campus for football preseason practices, a career in law wasn’t on my radar. Instead, I had vague ideas of an economics degree and jobs on Wall Street.

But, as I’m sure you know yourselves, Princeton leaves an indelible mark on those who call it home for four years. My football career was cut short after sophomore year, but I quickly found Cannon Dial Elm Club to fill some of the void. With the rest of that newfound freedom, I developed an interest in policy, politics, and public service. After graduation, those interests sent me to Washington, D.C., for three years and then to the University of Wisconsin Law School. Now, I’m writing to you all in the penultimate month of my judicial clerkship with U.S. District Judge Lynn S. Adelman ‘61. I guess I can’t shake our beloved alma mater–and that’s alright with me. 

Thanks to your generosity, my four years on campus were filled with friendship, growth, and plenty of fun. In fact, the Class of 1972 first introduced me to Reunions, where I tended bar for the 2011 off-year reunion dinner at Chez Fritz. From then on, I knew ‘72 was a special class, and I've always looked forward to getting together with the regulars (Fritz Cammerzell, Merc Morris, Jim Robinson, Skip Rankin, Bob Wright, Charlie Hughes, Ron Brown, and Ed Strauss, to name a few) and new '72ers over alumni weekends, football games, and more.

Indeed, a true highlight of my time as a Princetonian was becoming an honorary class member in 2015. I wear that h72 proudly, and always will. Cheers to your 50th!

 

Megan Bowen ‘13

My time at Princeton was and continues to be foundational experience that has shaped my life. I was lucky enough to have played four years on the Princeton Women’s Basketball team and went to four NCAA Tournaments. I met lifelong friends through these years. Following graduation, I moved to Chicago for my first job at Ariel Investments. Ariel was founded and is led by John W. Rogers Jr., Princeton class of 1980 and former Men’s Basketball player. I interned with Ariel between my junior and senior years of college through the incredible program John had built.

Today, I work for Russell Reynolds Associates. I joined the company in 2015 in the Chicago office, which was led at the time by Constantine Alexandrakis, Princeton class of 1989. I have since moved to New York City and Constantine has become CEO of Russell Reynolds Associates. Each step of my journey in life has been shaped by Princeton University.

 

 

Molly Hamrick ‘13

My four years spent at Princeton were transformative, my experiences and lessons extending well beyond what I learned in the classroom. As a member of the openweight rowing team (and co-captain of the 2013 Ivy League Championship squad), I was given the opportunity to challenge myself physically and mentally, as well as have the feeling of going all-in on a common goal with other fierce, hardworking women, about whom I cared greatly. Those women saw me at my very best and my very worst. They taught me what it meant to elevate one another, even if they, themselves, weren’t having their best day. They showed me how to be selfless for their teammates, and how to care deeply about something without the promise of victory or success. I learned about delayed gratification, and the power that diligence and a growth mindset can have.

The moments I shared with my Tiger teammates – from the early mornings on Lake Carnegie to the late nights at Cloister Inn – will be cherished forever. The passion those women demonstrated could move mountains, and I feel forever indebted to those who helped pave the way and allowed me to have such an experience. So much so that I’ve felt my calling is to pay it forward, now as a rowing coach at Stanford University, helping young women form similar relationships with teammates, unearth their inner confidence and sense of empowerment, and learn the same, invaluable lessons I learned on the opposite coast.

 

Johanna Valdez ‘11

Simply put, the class of ‘72 changed my life. Growing up, I never dreamed an opportunity like Princeton was possible, and the Class of 1972 scholarship didn’t just make it possible, you made it real. 

 

Megan Brandeland ‘09

Princeton was one of the greatest blessings of my life. There are so many things I could write about with respect to my Princeton experience, but the thing that is standing out the most as I write is the way that Princeton expanded my world. I grew up in a mid-sized town in Minnesota but had always had dreams of traveling and learning about different cultures.

At Princeton, I met people from all over the world and encountered ideas that enlarged my vision of the world. After my sophomore year, I had the opportunity to travel to China with the track and field team (my first time outside the US) and then spend the remainder of the summer in Rome for an internship. Two years later, after I graduated, I spent a year in Northern Thailand through the Princeton in Asia program. This was the beginning of a relationship with Thailand that continues to this day. Over the last 12 years, I've lived in Thailand two additional times (once during medical school for 8 months, then for 6 months as a Global Health Chief Resident).

I also completed extra training in Global Health. I am very passionate about improving cross-cultural medical care, especially for patients at the end of life. Most of my medical training was completed in my home state of Minnesota, though I am currently doing a fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at Stanford. After this, I plan to work as a Palliative Medicine physician at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

I would like to sincerely thank the Class of 1972 for all your support. I know that I would not be where I am without the blessing of Princeton.

 

Landis Stankievech ‘08

Ron (Brown) asked me to update you about life and/or memories from Princeton in “a paragraph or two”. An impossible task! Reminiscing about Princeton is a favorite, never-ending pastime.

As life passes what I appreciate about Princeton evolves. Once, my Princeton narrative centered around achievements: academic awards, scholarships, championships. I’m still proud of them (and not quite sure how I did it, as sleeping on the E-Quad shop floor and pulling all-nighters before 6:30am hockey workouts at Jadwin doesn’t seem quite as appealing anymore). But they’ve faded a bit, both figuratively and literally as they gather dust on my mantelpiece, and as I learn real world problems are a bit more complicated than getting an “A”.

Other aspects of Princeton emerge and are reconsidered in a new light. I think of the ease with which people from different cultures and backgrounds and viewpoints discussed and debated and disagreed but remained respectful or even friendly – at the time I took it for granted but now I cherish it (and worry for it, based on some trends in academia and the world).  At Princeton I failed my first quiz – the first quiz of my university career and the first quiz I’d failed in my life. Once, that was a story of failure motivating future learning. Now I realize there was much to be learned from that (and future) failure itself. I suppose it is the mark of a truly well-rounded education that its experiences provide fresh insights even years later. However, one constant of my Princeton experience is that it has always seemed surreal, as though it were in fact a storybook, which is how it has felt even as I was living it. Thank you again for allowing me that experience. 

After Princeton, I attended Oxford and began working at McKinsey in Calgary. I left to help my hometown family business, now in its 75th year. Happy to explain it all over a few beers sometime, or perhaps in my unwritten memoirs: The Rhodes to My Parents' Basement. Kidding aside, it’s been a great and rewarding challenge. I married Teresa, essentially the girl next door (technically the next small Alberta town over), whom I began dating a year before Princeton. We have no children though we are trying vigorously. 

Please know that I’ve always enjoyed reading the Class Notes from 1972 in PAW, hearing interesting tidbits about many of you that I’ve met. And sadly, in recent years, I’ve noticed several Memorials. It’s a reminder that time passes too quickly for us all. 

 

Tara Whitty ‘05

Dear Class of '72,

Greetings from San Diego, California! Though my time at Princeton taught me that I am definitely a creature of Mediterranean climates, I look back very fondly over those four years spent amidst its hallowed halls. It was a time of remarkable growth and discovery for me, and I so profoundly appreciate the opportunity to experience it.

To this day, I continue to work in the biodiversity conservation field, following the path I started as an Ecology & Evolutionary Biology student. Studying abroad in Panama and conducting my thesis research on zebras in Kenya ignited an enduring passion for travel which continued after graduation - from living in Thailand for a year (studying monkeys) to frequent and extended field travel throughout my Ph.D. and postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Following that, I lived and worked in Myanmar for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for two years, where my major activities included supporting the development of the youth-led Myanmar Coastal Conservation Lab (with whom I still collaborate, despite the havoc wreaked by the ongoing coup).

I shifted gears to move home (just pre-COVID19 pandemic!) to be the primary communication support for my nonspeaking autistic brother, Danny, who has made amazing strides and is now an active advocate and published writer (including in Bon Appetit Magazine). His journey is being followed by several of my Princeton friends! I now split my time between working with him, working as a consultant for various conservation projects through my own company, and enjoying the waves here in beautiful San Diego.

My time at Princeton allowed me to develop a solid foundation for thoughtful, rigorous work that makes a meaningful difference in the world. Thank you so much for your support, and I wish you a fantastic 50th reunion!

Tom Reichel ‘04

Hi Ron, great to hear from you! Your request sparked a good deal of reminiscing. I've not returned to campus for many years, but always enjoy reading through the latest issue of PAW when it arrives in the mail. I was thrilled to watch Fritz's 2021 Alumni Council Award acceptance speech, which brought back fond memories of lunches at A&B, dinners at Fritz Carlton, and the crewing 72's 30th Reunion.

It's been fun to reflect about the way my Princeton experiences show up in my life now that I've reached midlife. My engineering coursework honed my technical problem-solving abilities and my time with classmates, teachers, and friends from all over the world taught me how to comfortably relate with anyone.

Those skills have been essential as I've progressed in my career into my current role as a Director in Regulatory Affairs at Medtronic, a global medical device
technology company. At Medtronic, I lead the efforts of a multinational team (now from my home office in Minneapolis, MN) that strives to obtain and maintain access to medical devices, like pacemakers and coronary stents, in countries throughout the world.

Also, my involvement in Princeton's Outdoor Action club cultivated my passion for spending time adventuring in the outdoors. My wife, Adele (Northwestern Uni. '04) and I have trekked to Mt. Everest base camp, Machu Picchu, and a multitude of US and Canadian National Parks. We take great joy in teaching and watching our two children (Reid and Kate) develop a passion for nature. Lastly, my brief 2-month stint as a walk-on to the freshman crew team taught me that the most efficient cardio workout can be had on an erg.

To the Great Class of '72, your dedication to Princeton and desire to share the opportunity it creates with your class scholarship has afforded me many opportunities and blessings. I wish you all well and send my fondest regards.

 

Mark Matuska ‘01

Greetings Class of 1972!  It's my pleasure to write to you from Norwalk, CT, where I live with my wife Melissa and 2-year-old son Myles.  You may recall I entered Princeton with ambitions of playing football, studying architecture, and maintaining a social life; as it happened, after a whirlwind freshman year that saw me struggle to maintain all three, I opted to concentrate on my studies and, of course, the Street.  It turns out that was the right choice, as while my future in the NFL was never on the table, I managed to graduate Cum Laude, and I find myself today as the principal of my own fledgling architecture firm that is the Architect of Record for a major luxury retail brand's ongoing NYC projects.  I have fond memories of Class events, and of course the occasional lunch with Fritz Cammerzell, who always was generous with his time and unfailingly kind, a fine example of the Great Class of '72.

I hope to personally deliver a Locomotive to all of you this year at Reunions. Happy 50th! 

 

Karla Rasche ‘97

My time at Princeton would not have been possible without financial support, and I am grateful for the aid I received from the Class of ’72. While I was at Princeton, I did not have a clear vision of what I wanted to do when I graduated, and it took me a while even after I left Princeton to figure things out, but my time at Princeton provided me with a foundation of knowledge and commitment to inquiry that has served me well throughout my life.

I have many fond memories of Princeton. My first year included an amazing freshman seminar called Nature and Nurture which helped me to decide on a major (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology). I was then able to spend a semester abroad in Kenya studying Wildlife Ecology and Management. My background in biology led me to teach middle school science for a few years and then amidst raising kids I returned to school and got a nursing degree and eventually became a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

I haven’t always followed a traditional path since Princeton, but my time there gave me confidence and truly expanded my world. I was a kid from a public high school in central Massachusetts who experienced culture shock and lots of challenges when I got to college, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Happy 50th!

 

Paul O’Neill ‘96

Happy 50th reunions and congratulations for being a lasting, valuable part of the best of Princeton's traditions - giving back. And paying forward.

I have had the rare opportunity to have an incredible range of different experiences in my 48 years; and, without a doubt, the relationships, times of intensive learning and athletics, and opportunities to see the excellence that is possible while at Princeton stand always as a reminder, and a beacon, of hope and promise.

In my own small ways, I strive to embody the Princeton tradition of "In the Nation's Service," and to lead through contributing to creating a thriving, healthy world community. Since leaving Princeton, some of the work that I am most proud of has been non-profit advocacy for improvements and expansion of mental health care, as well as creating and sharing educational writings about understanding and healing from complex trauma. These writings use scientific understanding of human behavior that my studies in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and in the Neuroscience Program at Princeton made possible. I look forward to continuing with these efforts as well as hopefully finding new and different ways to contribute to improving our shared world.  

Thank you to the Class of 1972 for having the foresight and generosity to invest in making the Princeton experience possible for others.

I know I am forever grateful, and better off, for being a Tiger. How lucky we all are for the Tiger community!

Samantha Pearson ‘91

Hello, Class of '72! As the first Class of 1972 Scholar, I am now significantly older than you all were when you granted me that award, a mere 15 years out from your graduation. My own 31st reunion is coming up this year!  

I would like to thank you for your considerable forethought which helped to make my access to a Princeton education and overall experience possible. It was an excellent way to launch from my early years in south Florida to a career that has taken me to various parts of the East Coast and also to Europe. 

Thinking back to the four years (and one summer) spent at Princeton, above all I appreciate the community of people aspiring to high caliber communication and clarity of thought. That is definitely not to be taken for granted, especially in the field of architecture, as I have found in subsequent years.

I also carry with me the splendor of the human-scaled and walkable campus. So many college students in the US discover the joys of everyday walking and biking for the first time in their lives when they arrive on campus. While I was already an enthusiastic cyclist, the pleasures and beauty of the Princeton environs still made an indelible impression, one I have occasion to reference in my current work.

We may sing about "going back," but in many ways it isn't really possible. What we can do is go forward, fortified with memories of a fantastic undergraduate experience.

Congratulations on your 50th Reunion!

 

Complete Roster

A complete roster of Class of 1972 scholars can be found here.