Princeton in NJ's Service

"In the nation's service and in the service of humanity"

This informal motto of Princeton University has guided the mission of its students, alumni, faculty and staff since first proposed by then-University President Woodrow Wilson in 1896 and updated in 1986. In 2016, Princeton’s informal motto was revised to “In the Nation’s Service and the Service of Humanity,” bridging phrases from Woodrow Wilson and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Class of 1976.

When President Christopher L. Eisgruber asked all members of the incoming Class of 2017 to read Anthony Appiah’s “The Honor Code,” his intent was for them to think about what it means to live a successful human life, “living a life that makes you happy, and living a life that is of service to others.” From day one on campus, this principle is central to the Princeton experience, and one that begins right here in New Jersey.


 

Community Service News

Eisgruber, Princeton officials underscore the mutual benefits of partnership during the pandemic
April 2, 2021
Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber joined Princeton municipal officials Tuesday, March 30, to discuss mutual interests impacting the University and the community, highlighting their cooperation on planning and various relief initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Students take computing beyond the classroom for social good
March 25, 2021
Princeton undergraduates are using their computer science for social justice, including these five students. From left: Khandaker Momataz worked on the New Jersey Fairshare Housing project; Anika Duffus and Sonia Gu worked on the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen scheduler project; Carina Lewandowski was part of the JuST student group; and Wendy Ho attended Barbara Engelhardt’s independent work seminar.
By the numbers: University raises funds for United Way
March 8, 2021
With the help of a robust group of departmental volunteers, the Princeton University campus community raised $116,361 during the 2020-21 United Way Campaign. Proceeds support the United Way of Greater Mercer County’s education, financial stability, food insecurity and health programs.
TASK and Princeton University Students Collaborate to Launch Job Recruitment Website
Feb. 1, 2021
Last week, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) launched a new website, www.taskeventscheduler.herokuapp.com, to help patrons find employment and time-manage their schedules. Developed in collaboration with TASK and a group of Princeton University computer science students, the website will initially offer a platform where patrons and potential employers can easily find each other.
Helping New Jersey families: How community-engaged scholarship made an impact in the pandemic
Jan. 13, 2021
How do the first thousand days of life shape the rest of life? Students in the psychology seminar “Developmental Origins of Life Outcomes” sought to answer this question through virtual coursework and collaboration with community partners. The fall course, taught by professor of psychology Casey Lew-Williams, drew on research from many fields including psychology, neuroscience, education, linguistics, sociology, public policy and medicine. As part of the Program for Community-Engaged Scholarship (ProCES), the course gave students opportunities to apply their studies to work with three New Jersey-based nonprofits: Advocates for the Children of New Jersey, Children’s Futures and The Father Center of New Jersey.