An Alum Returns

Although I did not know my classmate Anthony Brandt ’58, I certainly enjoyed his recent essay, “Coming Back: Notes on a Visit” (What I Learned, Dec. 5). He has been a more frequent visitor than I, but his comments concerning our time at Princeton certainly resonated with me.

For those who are curious, the “cafeteria lined in subway tile” was called the Balt, and was clearly a venue of last resort when the culinary delights of Commons were no longer deemed acceptable.

His comments concerning the Honor Code, and the growing perceived laxity toward it, brought numerous “amens” from me. I can still recall it on a word-for-word basis and remember that even if I was running late at the end of an exam, I had to write it out in its entirety before turning in the blue book.

It was imposed as a sacred trust and became as important a part of Princeton life as getting females out of your room by 7 p.m. To see that compromised in any manner says to me that something has been lost along the way.

I also really enjoyed his comment near the end of his essay when he talked about not wanting “to be stereotyped as your typical upper-crust snob with a Princeton degree.” He quickly added: “Now I cherish it,” which elicited another amen. Thanks, Anthony, for molding a little more “tender clay of remembrance” for me.

P. S.: In the photo with Anthony’s article, I swear that I am the geek in the lower-left corner wearing a buffalo plaid shirt. It was a unique part of my wardrobe, and clearly not a fashion statement for my fellow undergrads. Also, at 6-foot-6 I am oversized, and the individual in the picture seems to have stuffed himself into the chair. Thanks for the memories.