Senator Cory Booker Selected as 2018 Class Day Speaker

Written by
Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students
April 12, 2018

The Senior Class Commencement Committee have announced that Senator Cory Booker will join them as keynote speaker on Class Day.  Class Day, which will take place on Monday, June 4, has been a Princeton tradition since 1856.  Taking place the day before Commencement and held on historic Cannon Green, the day is organized by members of the graduating class.  The ceremony also includes remarks by class members, the recognition of seniors for their accomplishments, and the induction of honorary class members.

“Senator Cory Booker leads a life of incredible public service,” said Class Day co-chair Miranda Rosen. “A strong advocate for bipartisanship, Senator Booker consistently serves his constituents and the nation with integrity, honesty, and strength. Senator Booker greatly embodies Princeton's motto, ‘in the Nation’s Service and the Service of Humanity,’ and I am thrilled he is our Class Day Speaker."

Booker was born in Washington, D.C., grew up in Harrington Park, New Jersey, and attended Northern Valley Regional High School. He graduated from Stanford University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and obtained a Master of Arts in Sociology the following year. Booker was a tight end on Stanford’s football team, making the Pac-10 All-Academic team, and served as the Class President his senior year. A Rhodes Scholar, Booker studied United States History at the University of Oxford before graduating from Yale Law School in 1997.

Senator Cory Booker Selfie with Princeton in Washington
Senator Cory Booker selfie with Princeton in Washington participants.

“The committee was impressed by Senator Booker’s commitment to public service and his ability to navigate difficult issues with insight and empathy,” said Class Day co-chair Steven Sobel. “We believe his stature and achievements will result in a highly anticipated speech, and his ability to communicate with a crowd will create an unforgettable Class Day experience in terms of both depth and captivation.”

Booker was elected Mayor of Newark, New Jersey in 2006 after serving on the City Council and working with various nonprofit organizations within the city. In 2013, he announced his candidacy for and was elected as a United States Senator for New Jersey. He has continued to serve in that role, fighting for criminal justice reform, civil rights, education, and the environment.

“Senator Booker's journey is a reminder to all of us to engage the tough issues, to ask the difficult questions, and to remain curious about how our actions impact the world around us,” said Class Day co-chair Arianna Brown. “His refusal to accept the criminal justice system as it is and his willingness to engage in reform demonstrates his commitment to those in need.”

“We are so excited to have our own Senator, Cory Booker, as our Class Day Speaker. We are thrilled to welcome such a motivated, socially-conscious, and eloquent individual who has dedicated his career to bettering the lives of Americans as an honorary class member of the Great Class of 2018,” said Senior Class President Brandon McGhee.

The Class Day ceremony will begin with a class procession at 10:00 a.m. with the ceremony starting at 10:30 a.m., unless severe weather necessitates a move into the University Chapel. It is a ticketed event for seniors and their four invited guests, with unticketed simulcast locations available at various sites around campus. The program will also be available for viewing via the University homepage. Following the ceremony, the class hosts a lunch for students and invited guests on Alexander Beach.