Dear Classmate,

More than fifty years after arriving on campus, our class has a unique opportunity to support Princeton's newest generation—our Grandchild Class of 2029. Many of us benefited from alumni, professors, colleagues, or other mentors who offered advice, encouragement, and perspective at important points in our lives and careers. This initiative gives us an opportunity to pay that forward by helping today's students navigate Princeton, explore career opportunities, and build lifelong Tiger connections. It is also an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between our two classes and create connections that can last well beyond the students' years at Princeton.

We're encouraged by the enthusiastic response from the Class of 2029. More than 275 students have already expressed interest in participating, demonstrating a strong desire to build relationships with our class. They value the experience, perspective, and connections that members of the Class of 1979 can offer as they begin their Princeton journeys.

Our goal is to create meaningful mentoring relationships while keeping the program simple and flexible. Students will be encouraged to seek guidance from alumni, allowing each mentoring relationship to develop naturally according to the interests, goals, and availability of both participants. Most mentors will likely connect with one or two students a few times each semester, with the schedule determined entirely by mutual availability and interest. The greatest value we can offer is our experience, perspective, encouragement, and professional networks. Often, the most meaningful mentoring comes simply from listening, asking thoughtful questions, and sharing what we've learned.

How You Can Help

If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the brief Class of 1979 Alumni Mentoring Survey. Your responses will help us match volunteer mentors with students based on shared interests, career experience, and mentoring preferences.

Please submit your survey by Monday, August 31st, so we can complete the matching process and launch the program shortly after the start of the academic year.

After volunteering, you will receive a brief Class of 1979 Mentor Guide describing the program, mentor expectations, mentoring best practices, and additional career mentoring resources. We will also provide an optional Mentor–Mentee Discussion Guide to help you begin conversations, discuss students' goals, and establish a productive mentoring relationship.

I welcome your questions, suggestions, or feedback. Please feel free to contact me directly.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our Grandchild Class. I hope you will join your classmates in helping the Class of 2029 begin their Princeton journey with the encouragement, wisdom, and support that only fellow Tigers can provide.

Sincerely,

Tony Rodríguez '79, Class Mentoring Director

Prentis Hall '79, Class President