As the sun rises over Princeton, the campus slowly comes alive. On Lake Carnegie, eight women hoist a shell, walk to the dock's edge and gently roll it into the water. … A landscaper is tending the garden behind Prospect House and from above you can begin to discern the outline of the Princeton shield among the plants. Something will mark this day. A friendship formed. A goal surpassed. An epiphany. And as the day unfolds, you think, "This is where I belong."
—"Admission Viewbook," 2012-13
Inspired by Princeton University's 2012-13 "Admission Viewbook," this collection of photos reflects the quiet calm across campus as faculty, staff and students prepare for the promise of each day.
![Early Morning bench](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_1440/public/images/2012/12/earlymorning_MG_5538_400.jpg?itok=ewEOXFTw)
A courtyard bench casts shadows near the University Chapel. (Photo by Steve McDonald)
![Early Morning lake](/sites/default/files/styles/half_2x/public/images/2012/12/earlymorning__MG_5450_575.jpg?itok=X2R10ZGy)
Waterfowl gracefully swim under the Washington Road bridge. (Photo by Steve McDonald)
![Early Morning Icahn](/sites/default/files/styles/half_2x/public/images/2012/12/earlymorning_MG_5459_575.jpg?itok=oNRW7x0_)
An early morning fog settles on Pardee Field outside the Icahn Laboratory. (Photo by Steve McDonald)
![Early Morning lake](/sites/default/files/styles/half_2x/public/images/2012/12/earlymorning_IMG_20121203_073026_575.jpg?itok=_pp2hJC9)
The sun begins to rise over Lake Carnegie. (Photo by Morgan Kelly)
![Early Morning McCosh](/sites/default/files/styles/half_2x/public/images/2012/12/earlymorning_MG_5527_575.jpg?itok=1c5Zusv4)
The sun rises over the trees in McCosh Courtyard. (Photo by Steve McDonald)
![Early Morning chapel](/sites/default/files/styles/half_2x/public/images/2012/12/earlymorning_MG_5524_575.jpg?itok=BE2W-AcO)
Warm light fills the University Chapel one early morning. (Photo by Steve McDonald)
![Early Morning crew](/sites/default/files/styles/half_2x/public/images/2012/12/earlymorning_IMG_4170x_575.jpg?itok=LmrSNqfV)
Crew members row on Lake Carnegie in the morning light. (Photo by Denise Applewhite)