Fred Hargadon, who will retire in June as Princeton's dean of admission after 15 years, will deliver the address at this year's baccalaureate service on June 1. The service marks the beginning of three days of commencement-related activities.
Hargadon was asked to deliver the address by President Shirley M. Tilghman upon the recommendation of the leaders of the senior class. "The class felt very strongly that having been welcomed into Princeton by Dean Fred, they now would like to hear from him again as they, and he, move on to the next stages of their lives," Tilghman said.
Hargadon has long been a national leader in the field of college admissions. He is known for the personal attention he pays to each application and for his active engagement in the life of the campus, including frequent attendance at cultural and athletic events. He also is regarded as a gifted communicator and is legendary in the field of admissions for his acceptance letters that begin with the single word, "YES!"
Hargadon served as dean of admission at Stanford University from 1969 to 1984 and held the same position at Swarthmore College from 1964 to 1969. Prior to joining Princeton, he was senior vice president for administration at the College Board for four years.
In recent years, Hargadon has noted, he has on occasion admitted sons and daughters whose parents he once admitted during his 35 years in the field. Some of the students he has admitted over the years are now tenured faculty at universities such as Princeton, Harvard and Yale.
The baccalaureate address is one of the University's oldest traditions. It is part of an interfaith service that takes place in the University Chapel on the Sunday before commencement. It is open to graduating seniors and their families.
Recent baccalaureate speakers have included Meg Whitman, chief executive of eBay and a member of the class of 1977, radio personality Garrison Keillor and Sen. Bill Frist, the Senate majority leader and a member of the class of 1974.
Seating in the chapel is limited to members of the senior class and faculty procession. Seniors receive two tickets for family and guests who may view the ceremony via simulcast, including on large screens to be set up outside the chapel.
Contact: Ruth Stevens (609) 258-3601