Princeton Prize in Race Relations

The Princeton Prize in Race Relations was founded in 2003 by Henry Von Kohorn '66 as an awards program to recognize high school students for outstanding work in their schools or communities to advance the cause of race relations. As described in greater detail on its website (www.princeton.edu/PrincetonPrize), the Prize recognizes that "there is perhaps no greater challenge facing our country than increasing understanding and cooperation among people of different racial backgrounds…, a challenge that every new generation encounters." The Prize recognizes that young people have a particularly important role to play in improving racial harmony.

The Princeton Prize in Race Relations was initially launched in the Washington D.C. and Boston metropolitan areas. In 2007, the Princeton Prize was also offered by the Princeton Club of Northwestern New Jersey, and the following sixteen areas: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, Nashville, Philadelphia, Princeton, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis and New Jersey's Essex and Hudson Counties. The ultimate goal is to expand the program nationwide. Project entries are judged by the Princeton Prize Committee, which consists of alumni, administrators and students. The first place honor for each location's winner is $1,000. In addition, award certificates are given to projects that are worthy of honorable mention. Winners are celebrated at an awards ceremony.

Our Club’s Committee for the Princeton Prize in Race Relations had a spectacular inaugural year under the leadership of Co-chairs Paul Flowerman ’71 and Janice Arnold ’94, and thanks to the diligence of ten hard-working committee members. Our Committee was the only new group to break into the top five for number of applications (along with Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington D.C.). Two co-winners and six honorable recipients were honored at a well-attended awards ceremony. To learn more about the ceremony and this year’s recipients of the Princeton Prize, click here.

The Committee is very excited about the upcoming year and is actively seeking additional members. The Committee meets monthly, beginning in August, with about half of the meetings taking place by conference call. Participation involves reaching out to a well-defined group of contacts to locate applicants, and then judging the applications that come in. If you are interested in joining the Committee, or would like to find out more about its activities, please contact Paul Flowerman '71 at paul@plthomas.com or 973-349-7688. We would love your support in this important endeavor!