A lowering sky on Monday, May 27, 2024 didn't dampen spirits in McCosh 50 as Princeton English gathered to celebrate its 30 graduating majors and present its annual prizes.

Chair Simon Gikandi, the Class of 1943 University Professor of English, welcomed an audience that spanned the width of the 444-seat hall. Addressing the gravity of the present global situation, Gikandi pointed to the importance of literature and its study in fostering ideas, and thanked faculty and staff for their efforts throughout the year.

Director of Undergraduate Studies and Acting Associate Chair Russ Leo, associate professor of English, introduced the presentation of a short film that interspersed short videos recorded by faculty of themselves reading or reflecting on passages of literature that inspire them with photos of graduating majors at various ages, from this year to early childhood.

Leo asked majors to stand when they heard their names and remain standing until the entire class had been called, to be applauded by English department faculty, staff, families, and friends.

Senior prizes were the first prizes presented, by students' thesis advisers if they were present, as most advisers were. First-year, sophomore and junior prizes, poetry prizes, and the McCosh Teaching Award followed, before everyone was invited to continue on to the reception in McCosh Court. Shielded from a passing shower under a large tent, attendees enjoyed introductions, conversation, photo opportunities and refreshments, and all that there was to commemorate at the close of the academic year.

Class of 2024 Seniors, Honors and Prizes