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Most Recent: Minutes from Prior Meetings:
Attending:
Paul Breitman, Director, Frist Campus Center and Richardson Auditorium, Charlie Dennison '39, Elizabeth Greenberg '02, Gregg Lange '70, Chair, Dan Linke, University Archivist, Courtney Lix '06, Don Marsden '64, Vice Chair, John McMurray '95, Lydia Osborne h74, Staff Liaison, Bob Rodgers '56, and Bud Wynne '39 *40.
Paul Breitman gave us a tour of the Frist Campus Center, which houses the Visitors Center (Orange Key), various departments, theatres, food courts, etc. The tour was enjoyed by all. Potential display locations were examined and discussed.
The Princetoniana Committee would like to get some large traditional items of Princetoniana displayed at Frist. To begin this venture the Patton Quilt, which now resides in the Hearth Room of Maclean House, will be moved to the stairway that leads to the Cafeteria in Frist. Bud Wynne suggested that perhaps the portrait of the late Fred
Fox '39 which hangs in Firestone Library would be a welcome addition to Frist's decor. Gregg Lange will pursue with the Firestone Library staff.
The donation of Princeton clothing is a problem because there is no place to store it at the present time.
Bob Rodgers reported that the developing of Princetoniana exhibits at Frist are on-going. It would be wonderful to have something in place for Reunions, Parents' Weekend, Alumni Day, etc. for all to enjoy. They could be rotating exhibits. The Archives can mount things including clothing, reunion jackets, beer jackets, beanies and so on.
It was suggested that perhaps a bookcase in the Frist Cafe would be a special addition and would provide a place for left over books that the Archives already has in their possession
John McMurray reported that he is planning to contact the 2003 Class officers to try to line up a Class historian before the class graduates in June. There are six alumni class historians in place already. Historians for the regions are going to be more difficult to obtain. The Class Affairs Committee is going to put a blurb in the Class Newsletter regarding the need and importance of class historians.
It is hoped that the Class of 2007 will be the first class to have evening campus tours with the help of the Orange Key Guide Service. The groups would be about 20 people in size and would finish with an arch sing so the first year students can learn some of Princeton's traditional songs. Margaret Miller '80, director of the Alumni Council, is discussing this with the Dean of Student Life.
The Orange Key Guide Book was updated to some extent last year, but will go through an even more rigorous overhauling this summer.
Someone for the Princetoniana Committee needs to find out who owns the 2007 website before it goes live so that the Committee can have a link on the site with a welcome letter and some trivia. Gregg will pursue with Margaret Miller.
It was suggested that instead of spending a lot of money on a DVD produced by the Committee for incoming students that historical information could be put on a website linked to the new Class homepage which is activated in June. Incoming students would be informed of the site in the summer mailing that goes out from the Admissions Office.
Attendees
Paul Breitman, Director, Frist Campus Center and Richardson Auditorium, David Cleaves '78, Charlie Dennison '39, Liz Greenberg '02, Christian Haselgrove '97, Jan Kubik '70, Gregg Lange '70, Chair, Dan Linke, University Archivist, Nathaniel Norman '03, Sev Onyshkevych '83, Lydia Osborne h74, Staff Liaison, Bob Rodgers '56, Jamie Spencer '66, and Bud Wynne '39
Gregg thanked everyone for coming and introduced Paul Breitman as the newest Committee member.
Gregg reported that the three sub-committees (collecting, archiving, and using/exhibiting) are working on their policies and procedures. When items of Princetoniana are collected it will be very important to have an accurate record of where they are, whether under direct control of the University or not. Ideally, there would be a central storage area. If items of clothing, i.e. Reunion costumes, are acquired the Committee must decide what they want to retain in central storage area. Perhaps something could be worked out with Triangle's Costume Department.
Paul Breitman said he would be delighted to provide an exhibit area in Frist for rotating Princetoniana exhibits. When these exhibits are taken down and replaced they could then be sent around to regional associations/clubs for exhibition.
On behalf of Don Marsden's Collecting subcommittee, Dave Cleaves said he would be willing to keep an eye on eBay to see what is available and if he comes across something will advise the Committee and Dan Linke.
The Committee would like to have a historian for each class including current undergraduate classes and for regional associations. John McMurray is working with the Class Affairs Committee to get this underway. He also intends to contact the large regional associations.
The Class of 1953 is planning to ask classmates to send or bring Princeton memorabilia for their 50th Reunion this year for exhibit at their headquarters . John McMurray will coordinate with the class.
Images that are currently up on the Princetoniana website are being sought after by classes for invitations.
The Committee would like to establish a ³Memories of Princeton² site. Alumni would be asked to submit their memories in so many words (to be determined), which would be reviewed and then posted.
Gregg and several members of the Committee had a conference call with Lorraine Sciarra of the General Counsel's office to discuss intellectual property and copyright issues. A digit image control committee will be formed. Jan and Dan Lopresti will draft questions regarding these issues and then pass them by Dan Linke and Lorraine.
Liz Greenberg presented each Committee member with a prototype CD of traditional Princeton songs, which she burned herself. The Committee is anxious to produce a CD that would be sent to incoming students. It would go out with the Admission materials that are sent. Funding is still a problem.
Dan Linke reported that the staff survey is still in flux, and will follow up with Ben Primer.
Several members of the Committee helped correct and provide new input for the Orange Key Historian Handbook, which will now be revised and updated on a continuing basis.
J. T. Miller '70, a Princetoniana Committee member and Director of Special Projects and Princetoniana, Development Communications, will conduct a walking tour of the campus on Alumni Day, February 22. It was suggested that perhaps making a video of tour would be worthwhile; Gregg will coordinate with J.T.
Gregg reported that the Executive Committee has asked each standing committee to measure themselves. Any input from Princetoniana Committee members is welcome. The question will be revisited in April.
The next meeting of the Princetoniana Committee will be on Saturday, April 26, at
2:00 p.m. in the 1952 Room of the Frist Campus Center, and will include a brief tour of existing memorabilia and potential exhibition sites at Frist.
Present: Charlie Dennison '39, Elizabeth Greenberg,
'02, Jan Kubik '70, Gregg Lange '70, chair, J. T. Miller '70,
Pat Miller '03, Nathaniel Norman '03, Lydia Osborne h74, staff
liaison, Bob Rodgers '56, Jamie Spencer '66 The Committee welcomed it's newest member who
was in attendance, Elizabeth Greenberg '02. Gregg Lange then called on Jan Kubik '70 to report
on the Princetoniana website. Jan explained that "Old Nassau"
is now on line in various formats, the chair's page has been updated
and there are now 41 cartoons posted by Henry Martin '48. Jamie Spencer '66 volunteered to collect Princeton
memories submitted to the Committee and to censor them. If deemed
appropriate they will be posted to the web. J. T. Miller '70 reported that the CD proposed
for production by the Princetoniana Committee is at a standstill.
He hopes to get started on it shortly. J.T. wants to produce a
top notch CD (not just something thrown together) that can be
sent out to the Class of 2006. It is hoped the CD will contain
a message from President Tilghman, other University Administrators,
"Old Nassau," and other Princeton songs including the PU Marching
Band. A budget needs to be worked up and sourcing for the production
of the CD. The Alumni Council will contribute toward the CD. In
order to be sure to get a version completed and approved in time
to be mailed to '06 in the summer, it may be somewhat shorter
and simpler than eventual productions. It was brought up that the chair of the Alumni
Council should give reference in their remarks to Princeton history
and traditions during the Opening Assembly for first year students.
If not during the remarks, perhaps at the end when the class sings
"Old Nassau" for the first time as a group. The Frist Campus Center display cabinets were
a topic of conversation. Very time consuming to change exhibits
and irreplaceable items cannot be displayed because there is no
security. There needs to be a committee unto itself to maintain
the cabinets. Gregg will see if he can get a volunteer committee
together through the discussion list. The committee would coordinate
with Mudd Library. It was suggested that each class and regional
association should have a historian and there should be guidelines
of how to document information and where it is to be stored. John
McMurray '95 has volunteered to lead this effort. Gregg suggested that three standing subcommittees
should be formed regarding the gathering, archiving and use of
memorabilia. The critical element for each would be to establish
standards/guidelines for these activitiers, and to document and
disseminate best practices to all interested parties. Each subcommittee
would have a volunteer chair and a University staff vice-chair
in order to strengthen coordination of these activities. Volunteers
for these positions are being solicited. The meeting was adjourned at 3:20 p.m. The next
meeting will be on Reunion Friday, May 31, at 3:00 p.m. in the
Library of Maclean House Respectfully submitted, PRESENT: Charlie Dennison '39 , Nathaniel
Norman '03, Doug Hahn '34, Vsevolod Onyshkevych '83, Christian Haselgrove
'97, Lydia Osborne h74, P. J. Kim '01, Ben Primer, Jan Kubik '70,
Bob Rodgers '56, Gregg Lange '70, chair , Jamie Spencer '66, Don
Marsden '64 , Terry Wintroub '69, J. T. Miller '70, Gregg Lange '70, chair of the Princetoniana
Committee, opened the meeting by having the membership introduce
themselves. In doing so, it was discovered that committee member,
J. T. Miller '70, has been appointed the University's Director of
Special Projects and Princetoniana. Having J. T. in this position
will allow for dialogue between the Princetoniana Committee and
campus departments.
Gregg would like to have the Committee
be tiered into three levels and broad discussion of Princetoniana
issues and ideas to be initially carried on through the TigerNet
Princeton Matters list; use of the Committee listserv to coordinate
activity logistics, assignments, deadlines, minutes etc; and chairs
of subcommittees/projects, who will meet three times per year, to
be joined by anyone else from the listserv who wishes to attend.
The status of various Committee projects
is as follows:
Ben Primer, Archivist, reported that
the Archives staff is busy organizing the papers of PrincetonÕs
most recent Presidents and other administrative documents.
It was recommended that the President
of the Alumni Association make mention of some of Princeton's traditions
in her remarks at the Opening Assembly for first year students.
Gregg will pursue for next year.
Further discussion ensued about how
to orient first year students in Princeton's traditions. A CD is
being proposed to include all the traditional Princeton songs that
would be mailed with Admission materials to those who have accepted
admittance to Princeton. It was also suggested that one of the segments
of Freshman Parents' Weekend would be about Princeton's traditions.
Gregg will look into this possibility with the Dean of the College's
Office.
There was brief discussion about how
to collect Princeton memorabilia. It was suggested that a letter
go out to class secretaries asking them to contact their former
major reunion chairs for the past four to five major reunions to
check their basements, attics, closets for memorabilia.
The next meeting of the Princetoniana
Committee will be on Saturday, January 19, 2002 in the Library of
Maclean House beginning at 1:00 p.m. The last meeting of the year
will be held on the Friday of Reunions, May 31, 2002, beginning
at 3:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lydia Osborne h74 K24
PRESENT Charlie Dennison '39, Christian Haselgrove
'97, Jan Kubik '70, Dan Linke, Patrick Miller '03, Sev Onyshkevych
'83, Lydia Osborne h74, staff liaison, Ben Primer, Bob Rodgers '56,
Jamie Spencer '66, chair, Bud Wynne '39, Andre Yokana '48 The Princetoniana Committee was most fortunate
to be hosted by Ben Primer and Dan Linke at the Seeley Mudd Library
for their final meeting of the academic year. Ben graciously supplied
refreshments on a library book push cart! Jamie Spencer '66, chair, introduced the newest
member of the Princetoniana Committee, Pat Miller '03, who is the
Princeton University Band Drum Major. Pat is very interested in
helping bring back the tradition of having undergraduates knowing
the words to popular Princeton songs and to be more familiar with
the a cappella groups. Jamie reported that Marta Richards '73 and
Bud Wynne '39 are working toward having a presentation at Honor
Night for the incoming students. The purpose would be to help the
students learn the words of "Old Nassau." It was suggested
that perhaps some of the a cappella groups could then sing some
of the more traditional Princeton songs. Pat Miller said the band
would be happy to help and that they would be happy to contribute
some of their songs to a CD if it is produced. The CD would be sent
to incoming students during the summer for their listening enjoyment.
Pat said he would get in touch with Kathy Taylor '74, director of
the Alumni Council to see what could be worked out in producing
a CD. Adam Friedlander '01 said that it would cost approximately
$3,000 to produce a 1,000 CDs. Adam Friedlander '01, the Princetoniana webmaster,
was in attendance having just handed in his thesis. Needless to
say he was mightily relieved and was delighted to report that since
he had completed that exercise he has accomplished getting the reunion
jacket page up on the web. He is going to look into getting a link
on the Alumni Council's Reunion page for the reunion jackets as
well. Adam will be loading shortly 100 factoid images onto the Princetoniana
page, which Jan Kubik has worked hard to collect. In addition, "Old
Nassau" will be loaded and 35 of Henry Martin's cartoons. Christian
and Adam will confer about the most efficient way of loading excerpts
from Princeton songs, by all three performing groups, at our website.
We hope they will have this done before Adam's imminent departure!
Our thanks to Adam for all his hard work and efforts in establishing
one of the best web sites. Best of luck to you Adam as you pass
through the FitzRandolph Gate on Commencement Day, June 5, 2001. Ben Primer is still working on the retirement
questionnaire. He needs to obtain the names of all retirees for
the last ten years and then mail the questionnaire to them. His
heavy workload at Firestone and Mudd Libraries has prevented him
from doing this, but it is still on his docket. The Committee is interested in pulling together
an exhibit for Frist Campus Center for Reunions. The possibilities
will be looked into. Lydia Osborne h74, staff liaison, thanked
Jamie for his enthusiastic leadership as chair over the past four
years and for his many accomplishments with the Committee. At the end of the business meeting the Committee
was treated to a tour of the archives. Committee members were having
a wonderful time trying to locate their senior thesis and poking
into boxes of memorabilia. The next meeting will take place at the time
of the Executive Committee meeting -- September 28-29, 2001. Respectfully submitted, Lydia Osborne h74 PRESENT: Charlie Dennison '39; Christian Haselgrove '97; Ben Kessler; Jan Kubik '70; Dan Linke, University Archives; J. T. Miller '70; Avril Moore '73, Vice Chair; Nathaniel Norman '03; Sev Onyshkevych '83; Lydia Osborne h74, Staff Liaison; Ben Primer, Archivist; Marta Richards '73; Bob Rodgers '56; Jamie Spencer '66, Chair; Kathy Taylor '74, Director of the Alumni Council, Terry Wintroub '69, Technology Advisory Committee Representative, Bud Wynne '39, Andre Yokana '48 NOTABLE GRADUATE SCHOOL ALUMNI: Bob Rodgers reported that a list of "notable GS alumni" is being compiled but that it is massive and will never end by the nature of the beast. The January 24, 2001, issue of the PAW has a two page spread built on Bob's research and Jane Martin's editing. WEB SITE FACTOIDS: Jan Kubik distributed a handout of web site ideas which the committee reviewed with delight. Furthermore, dozens of the Henry Martin cartoons are Princeton related and might be a possible on-line collection or archive. PROJECT "TUNE": Marta Richards distributed a proposal for, "Project: 'Tune Ev'ry Class'." She proposed that the committee "pick up the mantle which Fred Fox '39 carried so ably for so long, and reinvigorate the undergraduate body with school spirit by teaching them Princeton songs, "Old Nassau," in particular." The committee discussed Project Tune at length with suggestions to publish the songs in 'The Prince' during Freshman Week, to approach the clubs and glee club for venues to sing, to pay to rearrange several PU songs and then sponsor a CD or DVD of the varied campus singing groups, to send to new admits. The committee delegated a sub committee of Marta, Bud, and J. T to look into the feasibility of these suggestions. Jamie and Kathy Taylor will discuss other steps to be pursued. The committee thanked Marta for a beautiful presentation. FRIST CABINETS: Paul Breitman is happy to have the help of Bud Wynne and Bob Rodgers in filling the cabinets with memorabilia. Ben Primer reports that the funding for such archival effort is low and so is the security at Frist. The Archives budget cannot cover blowing up photographs. QUESTIONNAIRE: Ben Primer described the replies from retiring faculty and staff on major changes on campus and on other highlights of their careers. Ben indicated that given his dual duties in Mudd and Firestone, no further steps have been taken on this initiative in the last three years. REUNION SLIDES: Ben Kessler and Adam Freidlander '01, the webmaster, will shortly post these on the web. This project, "Reunion Garb," has been two years in the making. CENTENNIAL HISTORIES: Jamie Spencer called for volunteers to help compile the previous century's class histories for publication in Reunions booklets. Each class might take its century-old counterpart and research it. The committee showed no discernible interest in Jamie's idea for Centennial histories. Jamie will continue to undertake them in coming years as a labor of love. Jamie also has an idea to ask a new undergraduate group to write reviews of the books about or by prominent alumni. TUSCULUM TOUR: Jamie thanked Avril and Tom Moore '73 and '73, for the lovely curry luncheon and tour of Tusculum, Princeton's Sixth President, The Reverend John Witherspoon's 1773 house. COMMITTEE PHOTO: Christian was so kind as to take several photos of the Committee by the front door to Tusculum. In due course, the best of the lot will be posted on the Princetoniana Website. NEXT MEETING: April 21st, 2001 at Seeley Mudd Library (William Street) at 1:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Avril Barton Moore '73 September 23, 2000, Princeton, NJ Attendees: Michelle Clarke '90 After introductions, Lydia Osborne offered for inspection a book from the library of John Grier Hibben (1882) and Bob Rodgers offered a "mystery" mug featuring an aircraft carrier insignia. Cynthia Penney reported on the Alumni Council's newest committee, Alumni Affairs and Communications, which seeks to raise the profile of the Alumni Council through coordination of graphics, mailings, links to the website, updating of the Alumni Council handbook. Lydia suggested that we scan and web a booklet of the top 10 requested Princeton songs for alumni and student use; Ben Primer agreed that there is consistent demand for the old favorites from the Archives. Avril Moore proposed that we include services to regional associations on the web to include: the booklet of songs for downloading, clip art for bulletins and programs, and a plea for Princetoniana to promote our visibility. Bob Rodgers reported on the Graduate School biographies for the Graduate School Centennial. Bud Wynne suggested the Eisenhart Arch architectural model for display; that model is in a garage at the Graduate College. Jamie Spencer opened discussion on the website and our new webmaster, Adam Friedlander '02. Jan Kubik, citing the erroneous story in a recent Prince about the original lion mascots, called for a reissue or editing of A Princeton Companion to keep our stories straight. We could put it on the web. Bud Wynne has seen The Companion on the web, but it is full of errors. Factoids could be easily edited and broadcast on such subjects of interest as: the tiger, the cannons, Alexander Hall, the Nude Olympics, the FitzRandolph gates, Old Nassau, etc. Jan has volunteered to get this information together and will work with Adam to post it. Dan Linke described the finishing touches on the Princetoniana cabinets at Frist Campus Center. The display features memorabilia and history of campus centers at the University. Our committee's project to select and sort articles for those cabinets is currently on hold. Jan Kubik reminded us that alumni memorabilia will be featured at Frist from April through August (covering Reunions). We discussed a "cane iconography" exhibit for Frist. Firestone will host a special Graduate School Centennial display from mid-October through mid-April. Dan Linke and Ben Primer reported that Mudd Library has recently catalogued some 1200 items on the web, including buttons, hatbands, ashtrays, clappers, plus some 10,000 photographs. The latter are not digitized yet. Perhaps we could arrange a tour of Mudd for our April 2001 meeting. NEXT MEETING: The Princetoniana Committee will meet again on Saturday, January 20, 2001, at 1 p.m. over lunch at Tusculum, the home of Avril and Tom Moore '73, 166 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton. The Moores will provide directions, transportation, lunch and a tour of sixth President, the Rev. John Witherspoon's 1773 house. Details and RSVPs in January. The meeting was adjourned at 2:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Avril B. Moore '73 April 15, 2000, Princeton, NJ Attendees:
The questionnaire for retiring members of the faculty and administration is still in the works and hopefully will be completed by our next meeting in September. The Princetoniana Committee is anxious to obtain histories of the affiliated groups of Princeton. Trish Garcia-Monet will be the Committee's contact with these groups, and she plan to meet with them from time to time. Bob Rodgers has been working diligently to acquire names of famous graduate school alumni who might be the focus of an article or articles in the Princeton Alumni Weekly pertaining to the Graduate School Centennial. A committee will be formed to make the final selections. The idea of a website and/or a pamphlet such as "Going Back," which was produced for the 250th Anniversary, on famous alumni of the Graduate School was also tossed into the ring for consideration. J.T. Miller '70, a member of the Princetoniana Committee, will be in charge of putting together displays for the six display cases that flank the stairs leading to the dining room in the new Frist Campus Center. The Princetoniana Committee would like to have a display in one of the cases. Jamie Spencer will be in to touch with Paul Brietman, director of the Frist Campus Center, to ascertain the possibilities of such a display. Jamie reported that he has the support of Kathy Taylor '74, director of the Alumni Council, and Joe Serafini '64, chair of the Alumni Council, for funding for a webmaster for the Princetoniana Website. The committee has been unsuccessful in finding a volunteer. The Princetoniana Committee's website will maintain its own "character" and will not be standardized like the rest of the standing committee websites. The Alumni Council's logo, will however, be added to the Committee's homepage. Jamie has had to response from the Glee Club regarding suggested music for the webpage. The Tigertones have provided "Orange Moon" for possible use and Christian Haselgroves will be sending us a CD as well. A lovely old wood engraved cane was received by the Committee from Mrs. Frank Gorman, widow of Frank Gorman '41, who was Grand Marshal of the P-rade for many a year. The cane will reside in the Archives of Mudd Library. The Committee members present at the meeting had their picture taken on the front porch of Maclean House. The picture will soon appear at the Committee's website. The next meeting of the Princetoniana Committee will be on Saturday, September 23, 2000, at 1:30 p.m. in Maclean House. Respectfully submitted, Lydia Sferra January 21-22, 2000, Princeton, NJ Attendees:
Respectfully submitted, Jamie Spencer '66, Princetoniana Chair September 25, 1999, Princeton, NJ Attendees:
After introductions, Jamie Spencer, Chair, led a brainstorming session to devise means to make graduate school alumni more visible in University affairs as we approach the centennial of the founding of the Graduate School. Graduate School Centennial Suggestions Charlie Dennison recalled the "Fashions in Learning" in the 1930's, a series of lectures and articles about the Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni. The current celebration of the centennial has three purposes:
Amanda Whitehead queried the geography of the Graduate School alumni and their availability for activities. Bob Rodgers suggested that we seek out "old stuff" aggressively, especially the Graduate School Princetoniana such as photos, books, collections of hoods, and gather these in a special place in Procter Hall or the new Frist Campus Center for display with a permanent exhibit. University speakers could spread the search with a lightweight kit of Graduate School memorabilia as at the regional conference in San Antonio. Cynthia Penney suggested we contact Robert Miner *56, an enthusiastic collector of Graduate School objects, as well as Tricia Marks *72, the editor of the Graduate School centennial history. MaryMargaret Halsey K33 is the University liaison to the Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni. Ben Kessler contended that a thorough discussion of the West/Wilson controversy in building the Graduate School is essential to understanding of the Graduate School today. The Graduate School construction brought Ralph Adams Kramm here, the consulting architect of Princeton University, hired by President Patton at the time of the sesquicentennial, responsible for the gothic master plan of the school and supervising architect for the next 20 years. The controversy centered on where to put the Graduate School: West wanted it sitting rarified on a hill, while Wilson wanted it in the midst of the undergraduate campus. William Cooper Procter gave the money for the Graduate School and stipulated that it be built, as West desired. As Marvin Bressler said, "William Cooper Procter's donation changed world history," since Wilson lost and left Princeton for a life in politics which changed the world. Avril Moore proposed to contact the Cincinnati Historical Society, which has a large collection of William Cooper Procter's letters and memorabilia. Procter, son of the founder of Procter & Gamble, was an enormously generous philanthropist and left his mark throughout the middle west. It was noted that the University is preparing a slide show on the history of the Graduate School that such research could be added to the 250th publication. Bud Wynne spoke of the interesting details on Procter Hall ("Goon Castle") such as the razor and mirror on the end of one beam, and the carillon, the largest in the U.S. and newly refurbished by Mr. Ettl's generosity. Terry Wintroub inquired about a discussion group on line for Graduate School alumni, allowing them to generate their own discussion ideas. Christian Haselgrove suggested that undergraduates could add an interesting perspective to such discussion groups. Jamie Spencer proposed the sounds of the carillon as background music on the web site, perhaps with a picture of a pigeon. Doug Hahn showed the committee some beautiful small prints of photographs of Princeton; his photograph of Nassau Hall is now available and could be used. Avril Moore suggested that we solicit personal reminiscences of such luminaries as Aaron Lemonick and Jerry Blum on the web site. Jamie Spencer spoke of collecting Graduate School reunion costumes for display. He asked what else we might add to the web site. Reunion Costumes Project Ben Kessler described Don Altmaier's albums of costume photos including the distinctive iconography of each class. Since the first few reunion costumes are ephemeral, replaced by the 25th reunion blazer, there are ongoing changes in the set pageant. Bob Rodgers suggested we contact the class secretaries to request such memorabilia. Bud Wynne added that we ask for all of the leftover costume materials, etc., instead of leaving the editing up to class officers emeriti or widows. Avril Moore told of her conversations with Liz Osborne S50 who contacts all spouses and widows and therefore might be the right person to save the memorabilia and Princetoniana before it is pitched. Bob Rodgers will contact Liz on this point. Jamie Spencer wondered how Ben Kessler would handle digitized slides. They discussed the chronological class beer jacket slide collection, the cross referencing by year and by class, the 3-4 most intriguing to post on the web site (who could forget the '82 10th reunion "fuzz-butt" costume?) Ben Kessler pointed out that the collection is sporadic and that it was begun when the oldest alum was class of '00 at his 50th. Where are the CDs and other photos? Bud Wynne spoke of Dan White's "ceiling hat collection" and the beer cans in Don Altmaier's old office. These are not catalogued or photographed. Web Site and Miscellaneous Bob Rodgers suggested that the web site include images of Sallie Patton's quilt, "The Fabrics of Reunions" now hanging in the Maclean House Hearth Room; we need a program to identify the costumes and beer jackets and their iconography. Amanda Whitehead may do a history of the Class of '99 and their beer jacket controversy. Bud Wynne recalled the controversy concerning the peripatetic Nassau Hotel sign. Concerning the web site, Jamie Spencer acknowledged that more orange is needed. Dan Linke hopes to link the Mudd Library page to the Princetoniana page and to the "Princeton Matters" page. Amanda Whitehead will look into what other universities show in their memorabilia corners. Bud Wynne suggested the page show a photo of the picaresque "Princeton Student" by Daniel Chester French and now in Jadwin Gymnasium. Christian Haselgrove, recalling a book on Denmark, suggested that we place old and new photos of campus scenes and landmarks side by side on the web page. Terry Weintroub proposed a computer animation showing primordial forests evolving into Nassau Hall turning into the present day scene. The next meeting of the Princetoniana Committee will be Saturday, January 22, 2000, at 2:00 p.m. in the Library of Maclean House. Respectfully submitted, Avril Barton Moore '73, Vice Chair April 17, 1999, Princeton, NJ Attendees:
The questionnaire for retired and retiring members of the University faculty/staff has been completed by Ben Primer. Ben Primer will contact the Human Resources office to determine who retired this year and in the past several years from Princeton and then the questionnaire will be mailed to them. The beer jacket project is 90% complete. It is hoped that with the project up on the website that Princetonians will come forth with the missing information to complete the project. Phyllis Ellin and Bud Wynne said they would be interested in co-authoring a pamphlet on beer jackets. Jamie Spencer urged all members to think about new ventures for the Committee to undertake, now that the beer logos project is closing. Each committee member should come with one good idea for the September meeting. John McMurray introduced the newly-created Princetoniana Committee web page to members of the Committee during the meeting. This page was designed by Martin Sawicki '95 during the past three months based upon input from John, Jamie Spencer, and other members of the Committee. The page included nearly all of the recommendations put forth by members at the January 22 meeting. Please refer to the January minutes on the web page. The Princetoniana Committee web page currently may be accessed at http://alumni.princeton.edu/~ptoniana/index.asp. On the main page is a brief summary of the objectives of the Committee prepared by Jamie as well as links to the online version of "Going Back," to an historical overview of the University beer jacket, to a history of the Devereux Tiger, and to the faculty questionnaire. At left is a menu of areas that users of the page can access: there is a list of current Committee members; a Committee history prepared by Ben Primer; and a section devoted to Fred Fox '39 including photos; a biography of Mr. Fox also prepared by Ben; and text from the remarks given by William G. Bowen *58 at Fred Fox's 1981 memorial service at Princeton. There is also a list of all people who have chaired the Committee; a list of dates for upcoming meetings and minutes from the 1/99 meeting; a section devoted to current projects; an email link to Jamie Spencer for people wishing to become involved in the Committee business; as well as several related links. At top left, the page also includes an 1896 image of a tiger riding a rocket. Members of the Committee during the meeting viewed the page on a computer in the hallway at Maclean House. John explained the objective of each section and solicited comments from members as to how to improve the page. The page was well-received, and members were eager to use it as a way of disseminating information to the Committee and to increase the visibility of the Committee among students and alumni. The modifications to be made to the page that were suggested at the meeting were specific rather than general. These included:
John will work with Martin during the next several months to implement making the above improvements as well as determining other changes that should be made to make the page work more smoothly. If you have any suggestions about the page, you may relay them to Jamie Spencer, or you can send an email directly to John at mcmurray@alumni.princeton.edu. Jamie has contacted Jim Merritt '66, editor of the Princeton Alumni Weekly, who has agreed to print a letter from Jamie announcing the web site. The letter will probably appear in the June 9 issue. Since the first Saturday afternoon meeting of the Princetoniana Committee appeared to be successful and attendance was good, the next meeting of the Committee will be held on Saturday, September 25, 1999, to coincide with the first Alumni Council Executive Committee meeting of the academic year. Respectfully submitted, Lydia O. Sferra January 22, 1999, Princeton, NJ Attendees:
Committee Chair Jamie Spencer expressed his gratitude for the able assistance and creative suggestions from Bob Matuozzi and Melissa Johnson from Ben Primer's Archival staff. Ben Primer reported that the Retirement Questionnaire was ready to go for the University retirees this June. Ben is going to find out who has retired from the University in the last five years so that the questionnaire can be sent to them as well. At some point the questionnaire may be put on the web for easy access. The beer jacket project is nearing completion. The committee has in hand samples of all logos except for 80 and 81 when there were no beer jackets. The committee is lacking descriptions of the designs for the following classes: 44, 45, 49, 52, 54, 55, 57, 59, 64, 69,71, 73, 77 and 93. A student in the Archives will scan the beer jacket designs for the Princetoniana website. It is hoped that once the website is up and running someone from each of the classes above will know the origin of the design and send it to us to complete the project. John McMurray reports the following regarding the web page. On Friday, January 22, 1999, members of the Princetoniana Committee discussed details surrounding the creation of a web page in order to present and disseminate information relating to the Committee. I have worked with Jamie Spencer in initiating this Committee project, and I outlined the proposed objectives of the page at the meeting as well as a list of items pertaining to the proposed website for members to decide upon. The page currently has been assigned the URL on the University server of http://alumni.princeton.edu/~ptoniana Proposed objectives of the proposed web page as outlined and discussed at the meeting:
Key issues discussed by members at the meeting included:
A working plan was agreed upon at the meeting. Regarding the page's appearance, it was agreed that the banner with the Committee name at the top of the page should include an 1896 drawing of a tiger riding a rocket in order to give the page style and flair. Melissa Johnson is working on locating this image. (See attached) The page will open to an "About Us" section, briefly documenting what the Committee is and does. This will go directly below the banner. To the left will be a vertical list of links to items relating to the Committee. Possibly including a Princeton-related background to the page (such as a parchment with historic writings on it or a Tiger image) was also discussed. Several members wished to include a color scheme that differs from the traditional orange-and-black in order to make the page stand apart. Members indicated that they prefer a page that loads quickly, so this will likely preclude posting multiple images on the opening page. Important links to the page were discussed in some detail. At the top left of the page will likely be a link to a more detailed description of Committee business. Links to a section on the history of the Committee; to "Going Back" to the Beer Jack project; to a biography of Fred Fox '39; to a history of the Tiger; and to instructions for signing-on to the Princetoniana online mailing list were all recommended by various members. It is likely that several additional links will be included. The Committee also discussed how to make the page contemporary, and some members suggested links to the Princeton Alumni Weekly and to the Daily Princetonian as well as including a section of more recent University history in order to attract a wide audience. Arrangement of the page will likely correspond to the above, with a banner on the top, a brief history in the middle, and related links to the left. At the bottom of the page will be a counter in order to determine the number of visitors to the site. Also, there will likely be a link where students and alumni can contact Jamie in order to become members of the Committee. Members emphasized that the page should be updated regularly and that new historical features should be added often in order to maintain interest. It is hoped that at least a preliminary version of the page will be posted and available for discussion by the Committee'' next meeting in April. The next meeting of the committee will be Saturday, April 17, at 2:00 p.m. in the Library of Maclean House. Respectfully submitted, Lydia O. Sferra |