By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
Princeton University graduates will be leaving the “safety of the orange bubble” and “may never actually be this protected again,” said actress and class of 1987 member Brooke Shields, speaker at yesterday’s Class Day.
”How exciting. You’ll spill out here, untethered, unguided, unstoppable,” she said. “You will do what all of us have done before you make mistakes. Grow; make mistakes. Learn; make mistakes. Grow some more; make fewer mistakes.”
Wearing her class jacket, Ms. Shields talked about how she understood all these emotions.
”Twenty-four years ago I was sitting where you are today, and I was wearing this exact jacket signed, decorated orange and black jacket. It had the Class of ‘87 painted all over it,” she said. “I’m having some of those same feelings I had on that very day excitement, nausea, looking forward to the future and just wanting to say something smart.”
The alumna also warned the class that because they are Princeton graduates it should not be taken for granted.
”You all get the rare moniker of Princeton University, and that can never be taken away from you,” she said. “For the rest of your life it will rarely not proceed you, but it should also never be disrespected or misused. When you meet someone who went to school here, it usually takes them all of what, five seconds to remind you that they graduated from Princeton University, I get it; it’s a calling card and it can and will open doors, but its definition does not come up as entitlement. Please maintain the proper regard for it and use it wisely for good, respect the word Princeton. It’s an impressive word to see in print on resumes, the back of a book, a plaque.”
When she took the podium, she talked about how excited she was to address the crowd.
”The letter I got asking me to be this year’s class speaker was very much like my Princeton acceptance letter. I got it on April 1, so I naturally thought it was an April Fool’s joke, I put it aside. I reread it; I felt the embossed letterhead, maybe I should double-check. I had my mom call to confirm; it was real, they both were real,” the alumna said. “I felt like I was accepted to Princeton all over again. Nothing could rattle me, except coming here and speaking to all of you because you are so smart.”
Ms. Shield was smart enough for the Class of 2011. They welcomed her as an honorary member and sang “Happy Birthday” to her, since today is her 46th birthday.
”It is because of the love, awe, respect and gratitude that I have for this for institution that I feel like it is so precious to be standing here,” she said, as her voice wavered with emotion. “I’m honored to have been invited today.”
Each class chooses and invites their Class Day speaker.
Lively, humorous speeches filled the morning. The graduates entered Cannon Green to the tune of “Barbara Streisand” by Duck Sauce and ended with the singing of “Old Nassau” and marching out to “Firework,” by Katy Perry.
”Once we walk out of those protective FitzRandolph Gates, there is no turning back. We will leave this bustling metropolis of pea coats, ice cream vendors and people who use summer as a verb and enter a new world that plays by different rules,” said Daniel Maselli, a molecular biology major, during the student address. “As terrifying as that real world is, I imagine you are all as scared as I am of this Princeton world continuing on without us. Indeed, Princeton has made such a mark on us that we can only hope to have made our mark on it.”
Class Day is the senior class’ opportunity to stage their own graduation exercises and they plan the ceremony and select the speaker. The seniors publicly acknowledge achievements and contributions of members of the graduating class and the Princeton University community.
”Your gestation in this orange bubble is about to come to an abrupt end, and in one day you will resort to facing the cruel world outside these iron gates,” said University President Shirley Tilghman. “I stand here confident that with this last-minute advice you will be able to thrive … so go forth and puncture the orange bubble, be in the nations service and the service of all nations.”
The ceremony included prize awards, student speeches and a presentation of the keys to campus.
”Your diploma is your passport into the next phase of your lives,” said Ms. Shields in conclusion. “Use it to motivate, not to inhibit.”
Class Day was only part of the weekend’s festivities.
The Hooding ceremony for advanced degree candidates took place later in the day yesterday in Princeton Stadium. The Baccalaureate service took place on Sunday afternoon and featured New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg as the speaker in the University Chapel. The University’s 264th commencement ceremony is slated for 11 a.m. today on the lawn in front of Nassau Hall.
In addition to commencement festivities, it was also Reunions weekend, which had its own slate of festivities, including the famous P-rade, which began in the late 1800s, dinners and educational forums and workshops.
”Princeton has given us a gift,” said Alex Rosen, class president. “And now each of us has the responsibility to make the most of our respective talents and to change the world for the better. Although I am sad to leave, I am excited to see the great things the Princeton Class of 2011 does in the future.”

