Win Lewis, a member of the class of 1959, spearheaded the revival at Reunions of an old tradition -- breaking clay pipes against the buried cannon on Cannon Green. In the past, it was customary for students to keep a supply of long clay pipes, called churchwardens, on hand for visitors to enjoy. At the end of the Class Day program, students hurled the pipes against the cannon to symbolize breaking ties with undergraduate life. This tradition eventually was abandoned as pipe smoking waned. Lewis and several of his classmates missed this event as undergraduates because they were in Syracuse, N.Y., preparing for a rowing race. "We thought we should pass on to another stage, even if it took us 50 years to do so," he joked at the ceremony on Friday.
Photos: Denise Applewhite
Members of the class of 1999 and their families -- including some very young Princetonians -- gathered on the steps leading into their Reunion headquarters in the Foulke-Henry Courtyard. The alumni are Rachel Karchmer Lipton (right) and Ali Coughlin Averill (second from right).
Alumni and their families have returned to campus through Sunday, May 31, for Reunions activities.
Highlights of the weekend will include: the annual P-rade throughout campus beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday; alumni-faculty forums and department open houses during the day on Friday and Saturday; and performances by groups including Quipfire!, Theatre Intime, the Princeton University Players and Triangle Club as well as receptions and student/alumni arch sings on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The University Orchestra will present its annual lawn concert at 8 p.m. Saturday on Finney and Campbell fields. Fireworks will follow at 9:15 p.m. Both events are open to the entire community.
The class of 1969, which has as its theme this year "Magical Mystery Tour," invited magicians to tour its headquarters in the Dod-McCormick Courtyard, entertaining tigers of all ages.
All alumni and University representatives once again will be required to have wristbands to participate in Reunions activities in the major reunion headquarters courtyards (wristbands are not required for attending lectures, watching the P-rade or attending the concert and fireworks).
Faculty and staff who ordered wristbands in advance from the Alumni Association may pick them up during the following times at Maclean House: 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 27; 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday, May 28; and 7 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 29-30.
More information on Reunions activities is available online or by calling (609) 258-1900. For the first time, attendees also can access the Reunions schedule and other key content on their smartphones via the Reunions mobile site.
Alumni of the fifth reunion class of 2004 enjoyed reconnecting with their classmates under a tent in the Pyne-1901 Courtyard.
