Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber called for ‘civic and personal courage’ as he addressed the university’s largest-ever graduating class during its 279th Commencement on May 26. Speaking to students, families, faculty, and guests in Princeton Stadium, Eisgruber emphasized the importance of standing up for values such as learning, independent thinking, and integrity.
“I know that all of you who receive your degrees today have earned them fully by working hard, deepening your knowledge and acquiring new skills,” Eisgruber said. “Our world needs not only your knowledge and your skills but also your courage.”
In his address titled “Learning, Citizenship, and the Courage to Be Unpopular,” Eisgruber discussed the need for courage when dissenting from popular opinion or admitting error. He cited former Princeton president Robert F. Goheen’s views on universities’ responsibility to uphold truth-seeking inquiry even when it is difficult: “Courage, with temperance, is always needed to hold the university to its role and mission.” Eisgruber also referenced Nobel laureate Toni Morrison and Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis in highlighting that self-government and learning require independence.
The ceremony awarded degrees to 1,469 undergraduates—the largest undergraduate class in school history—and 668 graduate students. The event capped several days of campus celebrations including Reunions for alumni; Baccalaureate featuring Craig Robinson; Class Day with Wendy Kopp; Graduate School Hooding; and ROTC Commissioning.
Valedictorian Daniel Yu spoke about compassion within the class community: “This… we will reshape this world and imagine new ones oriented towards justice, peace and freedom.” Latin salutatorian Madeleine Murnick expressed gratitude in her traditional Latin speech: “Great Class of 2026, let us celebrate one another because no one can achieve anything of importance alone.”
Princeton also presented six honorary degrees during Commencement—to William J. Burns; Steven Chu; Caryl Emerson; Herbie Hancock; Jaynee LaVecchia; and Strive Masiyiwa—and recognized recipients of teaching awards. Afterward, many graduates continued a tradition by walking through FitzRandolph Gate at campus’s front entrance.
