Dear Class Members,

It’s time to register! Our 53rd Reunion is less than 6 weeks away. While we may have retired our theme of “Our 50th Reunion...Continued,” we want to make every effort to build on an  “Every Year is a Major” Reunion theme. To that end we are offering Class-specific events to make this more special than a typical “non-major” Reunion year. 

We will be a satellite of 1969’s 55th Combine headquartered in the Scully Courtyard, and here’s what’s in store for ’71 so that you can plan to attend any or all during May 23-26! 

53rd Reunion Day-by-Day — Event Information

View complete Class event information here

Thursday, May 23. After obtaining your wrist band and wandering campus marveling at the new construction, start Reunions with a Meet and Greet at a FREE reception with a light meal at the Class of 1971 Library at Tiger Inn from 5:00pm to 6:30pm. Beer/wine provided.  Later, at 8PM, there will be a DJ at the 55th sponsored by the class of 1969.

Friday, May 24. You can start the day with the ever-popular bird walk through the Institute for Advanced Study woods at 8:00am led by expert birder Winnie Spar (no experience necessary). Mid-morning, in addition to a slate of Alumni-Faculty Forums, we will sponsor our own class-sponsored panel entitled “Did You Hear the News?” featuring experienced journalist classmates Ken Hall ’71, Robbie Shell ’71, and Bob Warner ’71. The panel will discuss the future of local journalism in an age of dying newspapers, misinformation, digital media and AI.

At 5:30pm we’ll have our now traditional BBQ, jointly with the class of 1970 in the Butler Amphitheater near Scully (see map) until 7:30pm ($40/person) with special music by the Tigerlilies. As a special addition to the BBQ, we'll have a book signing by Michael Pepper '71 featuring his recently published memoir, Royal Edge, a reflection of Princeton and his first year after graduation. Attendees at the BBQ will receive a free copy. Evening entertainment at the 55th HQ starts at 9:00pm with music and dancing to the Around Town Band, a Jersey Shore band.

With Prospect under renovation, our traditional post P-rade reception will be held at the 1956 Lounge at Princeton Stadium (see map) from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. The Lounge can be accessed by elevator. The reception will start at 5pm with a full bar and a selection of passed hors d’oeuvres; there is NO Charge for the reception. Following the reception, there will be a Class dinner at the 1956 Lounge beginning at 6pm (cost $75/person). Dinner will include a hot buffet with chicken, short ribs, salmon and vegan paella selections. Following the Saturday dinner, the University will field its fireworks display best viewed in Princeton Stadium. If you are at the Stadium for dinner, you’ll have a perfect view. Afterwards, from 8:00-11:00pm, music at the 55th Combine will feature the Land Sharks, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band. 

Here are other important details about the 53rd Reunion:

Guests. Please note, the University is again limiting wristbands for registrants in the satellite classes to the alumnus and one guest this year. A wristband is required to enter major Reunion sites after 5pm. If you are coming as a single and can “donate” your guest slot to another classmate, we can pass that information along, but the class cannot act as a broker. You do not need a wristband for the P-rade or other events outside of the Reunion sites. Classmates can bring multiple family members or guests to the BBQ, Pre-P-rade lunch, the post-P-rade reception, or Class dinner, and Alumni Forums.

Registration Procedure (IMPORTANT). Like last year, registration will consist of TWO steps:

University Reunions Schedule and Information. The full schedule and information about entertainment and campus resources as it becomes available can be found here.

Housing. The University has only allocated us two beds (beds, not rooms) this year so on-campus rooms will likely not be available. If you have a health issue that can be mitigated by having an on-campus dorm room, let me know and we can try to intercede with the University. If making hotel reservations (if you have not already done so), make sure to check the cancellation policy. The University hotel shuttle information can be viewed here.

Renting Golf Carts. For classmates with mobility issues golf cart rentals are available. These need to be ordered separately using the registration form here. There is also the Reunions Rover – the popular student driven transport services for alumni and guests. Preference is given to those with mobility impairments. The Rovers make continuous intra-campus loops with stops at headquarters sites, parking lots and program locations throughout Reunions weekend.

Questions. You can find additional information about the 1971's 53rd Reunion including the preliminary schedule of events and a map highlighting important Reunion locations on our Class website princeton71.org. For general inquiries about the Reunion, please contact Jeff Hammond, Reunion Chair, at reunions@princeton71.org. If you encounter any difficulty with the Class event registration (Step 2 above) please contact Alan Usas, Reunion Registration Chair, at registration@princeton71.org.

I’m looking forward to seeing many of you on campus this May.

Roaringly,

Jeff Hammond '71

Reunion Chair

reunions@princeton71.org