Dear Classmates:
It feels like time for a quick catch-up as we wrap up another fiscal year. There’s quite a bit going on, so I wanted to share a few highlights with you.

Reunions
Chairs Selected. Believe it or not, our 50th reunion is now less than three years away—which, for planners, means it’s right around the corner. I’m excited to share that Mark Hornung, Phil Hueber, and Bruce and Kathy Petersen have agreed to serve as co-chairs. They bring a wealth of reunion experience, and I can’t wait to see what they put together for us. More to come soon.
Community Service Project. We’re also getting an early start on a very special community service project, thanks to Marguerite Vera. The project, “Connections Across Generations – We Are Family,” is a handwritten note campaign for older alumni (65th Reunion classes and beyond), especially those who may be feeling isolated.
Here’s the idea: members of our class will write thoughtful notes to these alumni, sharing appreciation and connection. These notes will be sent on notecards featuring original artwork from the Class of 2029—our “grandchild class”—and some of those students may even add their own messages. It’s a simple but meaningful way to show that the Princeton community really is a family across generations.
If you’d like to help organize this effort, please reach out to Marguerite. This project, like many others, will be supported by your class dues..
History Project. We’re also planning a video history of the Class of 1979, featuring classmates reflecting on their Princeton experiences. It will be professionally produced by Melvin McCray ’74. Because of time and budget limits, we’ll include about 20 participants, selected from those attending next year’s 48th Reunion, where most of the filming will take place. If you’re thinking about coming, this is one more great reason to join us. Again, this project will be supported by your class dues.
70th Birthday Party. And speaking of next year—there’s something fun to look forward to. Since most of us will be turning 70, we’re planning a birthday celebration during reunions. Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 22, 2027. It should be a terrific gathering. Your class dues make this event possible.

Class Trips
Our class trips continue to be a big hit. While there’s no trip this fall, we’re planning a spring visit to the Southwest, including the Navajo Nation and several national parks. You can sign up on our class website.
Recent trips have taken us to Argentina and Chile this past April, and on a Rhine River cruise last October. We’re already thinking about future destinations, so if you have ideas, please share them with Marguerite Vera or our travel coordinator, Karen Gregory.

Scholarship Fund.
I’m happy to report that the Class of 1979 Scholarship Fund is now up and running. While the balance is still modest (about $60,000), we were able to support a student last year. The fund is part of Princeton’s endowment, with the University managing both the investments and the awards.
You may remember that starting this scholarship fund was chosen by class vote last year. Now comes the important part—growing it together.
Let me share a big goal (or what some call a “BEHAG”—a Big, Hairy, Aggressive Goal): by our 50th Reunion in 2029, I’d love for us to set records for both participation and total giving—and, ideally, raise several million dollars for the scholarship fund.
It’s ambitious, no doubt. But with planning, commitment, and strong leadership, I believe we can do it. I’m especially grateful that Lily McNair has agreed to lead this effort. She’s assembled a terrific team, and you’ll be hearing more from them soon.

Class Dues
On that note, thank you to everyone who has been contributing class dues—especially those giving at leadership levels. Your support makes so much of what we do possible.
Dues fund a wide range of activities open to all classmates—from events like our Brooklyn outings and Washington, DC gathering, to reunion meals, Alumni Day dinners, tailgates, webinars, and our outreach to the Class of 2029.
To encourage broader participation, we’re introducing a new, more flexible dues option starting July 1. In addition to the standard $79 dues, we’re adding a “Tiger Team” level, where contributions from $5 to $50 are welcome. The goal is simple: make it easier for more classmates to stay connected and involved.
Currently, about 18% of the class contributes dues. I’d love to see us reach 35% next year—and then go even higher by our 50th.

Our Grandchild Class (2029)
We’ve also been building a relationship with our “grandchild class,” the Class of 2029, and it’s been incredibly rewarding.
Over the past year, we’ve connected with them through events like the Pre-Rade, Homecoming, informal meetups, webinars, and coffee breaks during finals. We’ve also had the chance to meet some of their class leaders, including the incoming class president, Lumina Zhang, who marched with us at the P-Rade.
Here is a picture of Lumina with Sonya Sotomayor, ’76. In a note to our classmate Tony Rodriguez, Lumina reports “…It was so inspiring talking with her! She mentioned that you brought me up to her, which I appreciate so much. She was so personable and gave me some great advice. I was so excited to meet her that I cried after

Looking ahead, we’ll continue building these connections with more small, meaningful interactions—conversations, mentoring, and shared experiences.
If you’d enjoy connecting with students, there are lots of ways to get involved. For example, you might:
• Talk with a small group about your career path
• Share an unconventional career journey
• Meet students for a casual meal or conversation
• Host a student for a day of job shadowing
• Speak with students who share a similar background or interests
If any of this appeals to you, please let me know. It doesn’t have to be formal—just genuine.
Spending time with these students has been genuinely inspiring. It’s a reminder of the energy and promise of the next generation—and it’s been meaningful for all of us who’ve

Wrapping up
As we close out the year, I want to thank our class officers, leadership team, and many volunteers for everything they’ve done. And thank you to all of you who’ve attended events and stayed engaged—that’s what makes this community so special.
Wishing you all a wonderful summer. I hope to see many of you soon.

Yours warmly,
Prentis Hall
June, 2026Dear Classmates:
It feels like time for a quick catch-up as we wrap up another fiscal year. There’s quite a bit going on, so I wanted to share a few highlights with you.

Reunions
Chairs Selected. Believe it or not, our 50th reunion is now less than three years away—which, for planners, means it’s right around the corner. I’m excited to share that Mark Hornung, Phil Hueber, and Bruce and Kathy Petersen have agreed to serve as co-chairs. They bring a wealth of reunion experience, and I can’t wait to see what they put together for us. More to come soon.
Community Service Project. We’re also getting an early start on a very special community service project, thanks to Marguerite Vera. The project, “Connections Across Generations – We Are Family,” is a handwritten note campaign for older alumni (65th Reunion classes and beyond), especially those who may be feeling isolated.
Here’s the idea: members of our class will write thoughtful notes to these alumni, sharing app…