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

Senior Lou Chen, founder of Trenton Youth Orchestra, receives Fisher Award

Nov. 27, 2018

Lou Chen summed up his service philosophy with the idea that “I want to make sure that there are no wasted chances.” This sentiment, of ensuring that nobody is denied opportunities for growth or enrichment because of their background, is at the core of the Trenton Youth Orchestra (TYO), a civic engagement project that Chen founded, and for which he was recently awarded the A. James Fisher, Jr. Memorial Award.

Breakout Princeton builds on 10 years of immersive service learning

Nov. 15, 2018

What do wolves, hair politics, cancer, circus arts and end-of-life care have in common? Over fall break, more than 60 Princeton University students immersed themselves in these and other critical social issues affecting communities near campus and across the U.S. as part of Breakout Princeton and Breakout Local with the Pace Center for Civic Engagement.

Aiming to diversify field, architecture school launches ArcPrep program at Trenton Central High School

Nov. 8, 2018

This fall, Princeton’s School of Architecture, in collaboration with Trenton Central High School, launched Princeton ArcPrep, a program introducing Trenton high school students to the discipline of architecture through an immersive, semester-long course.

Princeton students develop interdisciplinary project for Newark community garden

Nov. 6, 2018

On patch of dusty asphalt in Newark, New Jersey, sits a wooden shed topped with corrugated plastic, a safeguard from impending winter weather. But it won’t be there for long. That’s because the shed is intended to roam around the civic project Down Bottom Farms, a half-acre plot bearing a fruit tree orchard, berry patches and even a small vineyard — part of Ironbound Community Corporation’s Urban Agriculture Program.

Setting the PACE for Engagement Efforts, Assistant Director and Native Trentonian, David Brown

Oct. 17, 2018

The Princeton University PACE Center offers various programs that engage University students in the Trenton community. Assistant Director, and native Trentonian, David Brown was born in South Trenton and has been involved in the community throughout his entire life. David is focused on having students partner with some of the organizations here that are already doing great work. Instructing students to be collaborative partners in a shared mission of improving the city is David’s core mission.

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