One of many senior projects affected by the pandemic was “BLOOM: The Musical,” Rosie Arbittier’s thesis work to complete a certificate in the Program in Music Theater. Arbittier developed the musical in partnership with Best Buddies, an international organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).https://bit.ly/2XYcYSM

Melissa Lane, the Class of 1943 Professor of Politics and director of the University Center for Human Values, writes about teaching Plato in the pandemic.https://bit.ly/2Y6JzGk

Twelve students in Princeton’s Class of 2020 became commissioned officers in the United States Army, Navy and Marines during virtual ROTC Commissioning ceremonies on June 2. The events followed Princeton’s virtual Commencement for graduating students on May 31.https://bit.ly/2Y2u81K

From The Daily Princetonian: ‘Prince’ Assistant News Editor Evelyn Doskoch ’23 interviews Dean of the College Jill Dolan, discussing the decision-making process this spring, following up on some lingering questions from last week’s open discussion with her and VP Calhoun, and looking forward to what September might bring for Princeton undergraduates.https://bit.ly/2A8DEs9

From NBC News: On Meet the Press: College Roundtable, Anna Salvatore, an incoming freshman at Princeton University joins other college students to interview NAACP President Derrick Johnson.https://nbcnews.to/2BCZmoK

From APP: Quotes Princeton University forward Elijah Barnes and head basketball coach Mitch Henderson. Barnes said, “I feel like we’re opening a lot more eyes. I’ve been involved in protests and I’ve been involved with diversity talks in the past, but I’ve never seen white people around the nation be so disgusted by what they’re viewing. I’ve never seen so many people who didn’t look like me walking next to me when it came to these issues. It’s amazing to see. It’s maddening that it has to get to this point for people to open their eyes, but if this is what it takes, this is what it takes.” https://bit.ly/2AK6Nd4

From Planet Princeton: Thousands of area residents came out Tuesday evening to protest racism and police brutality and call for systemic change at an event that included speeches, chanting, and marching. Photos show the scene and Ruha Benjamin addressing the crowd. Related from The Daily Princetonian: ‘It has to end’: Protesters in Princeton demand justice for Floyd’s death https://bit.ly/3gVSYZP https://bit.ly/2BD8cmo

Since his selection as Princeton’s first black valedictorian, Nicholas Johnson has spoken eloquently about the importance of role models and mentors to his success at the University.

On Wednesday, June 3, Johnson explored this topic in greater depth during a panel titled “The Power of Mentors: Blazing Paths for Underrepresented Minorities in STEM,” along with Princeton alumni Professor William Massey, Class of 1977, the Edwin S. Wilsey Professor of Operations Research and Financial Engineering; Dr. Marian Croak, Class of 1977, vice president of engineering at Google; and Professor Kim Pearson, Class of 1978, of The College of New Jersey.https://bit.ly/2UaXlXa

As the United States grapples with the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless other black lives destroyed by systemic racism and police violence, and as protests extend across the country, Princeton scholars are speaking to the moment. Several Princeton faculty members are using op-eds, television and cable news programs, online publications, and social media to grasp current events and navigate a path forward, drawing on their research as well as their own personal experiences. https://bit.ly/3cx8J64

From The New Yorker: Features Omar Wasow. Speaking on protest tactics he’d recommend for people concerned about police brutality today, Wasow said: “One puzzle is, if you are an activist, are nonviolent tactics going to get you more of what you want, or are violent tactics? And what I found from the sixties is that nonviolent protest achieved many of the same sorts of outcomes that the more militant activists were fighting for without splintering the Democratic coalition.”https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/how-violent-protests-change-politics

From TIME: Written by Eddie S. Glaude Jr. He writes, “Even if you turn your head away, the images and the sounds continue to haunt. We play them over and over again. It’s part of a ritual practice, a way the nation manages its racist sins. People declare their outrage. They, mostly white people, wonder how could this happen in today’s America? They cry out for justice. Or, as in the past, the likes of Fox News decry it all as the victimizing screeds of people who refuse to take personal responsibility. They defend the police. They condemn the violence. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. And nothing changes.”https://time.com/5844645/george-floyds-shows-we-cannot-wait-end-racism/

The New York Times
Opinion piece written by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor. She writes, in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by a police officer, “This simultaneous collapse of politics and governance has forced people to take to the streets — to the detriment of their health and the health of others — to demand the most basic necessities of life, including the right to be free of police harassment or murder.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/29/opinion/george-floyd-minneapolis.html
Related from NPR: Why U.S. Needs Black Lives Matter Movement Today
https://www.npr.org/2020/05/29/865685777/why-u-s-needs-black-lives-matter-movement-today

Politics & Polls Woocast Series
When COVID-19 first emerged in South Korea, the country’s rapid response and decisive intervention enabled the country to detect cases early, slowing the spread of the infection and controlling mortality rates. Now, the country faces a new spike in cases, leaving many to wonder if a second wave is coming. Sam Wang and Julian Zelizer discuss South Korea’s response to Covid-19 in this episode – recorded live on May 19 – which features Dr. Asaph Young Chun, director-general of Statistics Research Institute in South Korea, the state-run think tank of official statistics and data innovation.
http://wws.princeton.edu/news-and-events/news/item/politics-polls-187-south-korea%E2%80%99s-response-covid-19-featuring-asaph-young

Not all colleges and universities will survive this pandemic, says Kate Foster *93, president of The College of New Jersey. But the forest fire raging through higher education will also make room for new growth — opportunities for creative partnerships and possibilities.
http://weroar.princeton.edu/18-imagining-the-future-of-higher-education-what-comes-next?utm_source=pwb&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=communications

More honors and awards:

• Princeton awards five honorary degrees
https://www.princeton.edu/news/2020/05/31/princeton-awards-five-honorary-degrees

• Seniors recognized for thesis, seminar work
https://ams.princeton.edu/news/2019-20/seniors-recognized

• Princeton’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter honors Haynes, Lloyd with teaching awards
https://www.princeton.edu/news/2020/05/27/princetons-phi-beta-kappa-chapter-honors-haynes-lloyd-teaching-awards

• Physics faculty members awarded Moore Foundation funding for quantum systems
https://www.princeton.edu/news/2020/05/28/physics-faculty-members-awarded-moore-foundation-funding-quantum-systems

• AIA Awards Over $380,000 To Archaeological Projects Around The World
https://www.archaeological.org/aia-awards-over-380000-to-archaeological-projects-around-the-world/

While the method may have been different, the celebration was the same as the Princeton Athletics community gathered on May 28 for a virtual Gary Walters ’67 Princeton Varsity Club Awards Banquet. As part of the ceremony, major athletic awards were presented to students in the Class of 2020.
https://www.princeton.edu/news/2020/05/29/princeton-seniors-awarded-achievements-athletics-academics-leadership