New Year, New Leader

Princeton’s new president, Christopher Eisgruber ’83, has been a Nassau Hall fixture as provost since 2004, but few students know much about him. With each appearance, that’s changing. At Opening Exercises (page 12), members of the Class of 2017 got a taste of his sense of humor when he acknowledged that some students were hanging on every word not for the lessons they might impart, but to catch the utterance that would lead to victory in Opening Exercises Bingo. At the installation celebration two weeks later, Eisgruber spoke about the ideals of a liberal-arts university, but then showed his fun side — and perhaps his identification with Princeton students — by hosting a concert by the rock band Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, whose lead singer was born the month Eisgruber graduated from Princeton. 

Meanwhile, we are learning how Eisgruber will approach the serious work of a president. He has been prompting students, alumni, and other community members to discuss Professor Kwame Anthony Appiah’s book on honor (page 16) and what it means at a place like Princeton. He has suggested that diversity in all its forms will be a centerpiece of his administration, endorsing the expectations in a new report about the makeup of the faculty and graduate-student body. More is to come.

On page 24, you will find a profile of Princeton’s 20th president by his classmate, PAW senior writer Mark F. Bernstein ’83. Those of us on campus are getting to know Eisgruber better. We invite you to do the same.