Owen Ayer ’19 and Charmaine Lee ’14, winners of the Jim Lebenthal ’49 Young Alumni Service Award Photo by Kevin Birch
On Feb. 21, more than 140 Annual Giving alumni volunteers gathered in the Weichert Atrium of the Louis A. Simpson International Building for a dinner to celebrate the success of the 2023-24 Annual Giving campaign. During the evening, Annual Giving Chair Deb Yu ’98 presented several distinguished achievement awards to the leaders of last year’s campaign — which raised among the top 10 highest totals in University history — and thanked Princeton alumni and parent volunteers for their hard work, dedication and spirit.
“It is wonderful to gather together this evening to celebrate service in Annual Giving as we make the seemingly impossible possible at Princeton,” Yu said. “I am delighted to recognize some of the most special accomplishments of the past year.”
2023-24 Annual Giving Volunteer Achievement Awards
The Harold H. Helm ’20 Distinguished Service Award, recognizing “exemplary and sustained service to Annual Giving,” was presented to Jeff Sharp ’80.
The Class of 1960 Award for the highest percentage of participation among the youngest 10 classes was presented to the Class of 2014 for reaching 44.3% participation. The class was led by class agents Peter Angelica, Hilary Edelstein, Sam Heffernan, Brandon Rhodes, Grace Riccardi and Rukiya Ross.
The Class of 1931 Ricardo A. Mestres Memorial Award recognizes participation in two additional groups of classes. For the highest participation among classes 11 to 50 years out, the award was presented to the Class of 1999 with 65.5% participation. The class was led by class agents Josh Epstein, Taylor Pavelski and Ari Weinberg. The Class of 1963 earned the Mestres Award for achieving the highest participation in Annual Giving among classes 51 or more years post-graduation with 74%. The class was led by class agent Bob Eisenstadt.
The Class of 1939 Award recognizes the non-major reunion class that raises the highest dollar amount. The award for 2023-24 went to the Class of 1992, which raised $866,911. The class was led by class agents Becky Betts, Mary Kelleher, Ted Polubinski and Matt Tarkenton.
The Class of 1926 Trophy is awarded to the class that raises the largest sum of money each year. The award this year went to the Class of 1999, which raised $8,631,999, its highest total ever, in celebration of its milestone 25th Reunion. The class was led by class agents Josh Epstein, Taylor Pavelski and Ari Weinberg; critical few chairs Clark Lauritzen, Brian O’Kelley, Krishna Veeraraghavan and Karin Holmberg Werner; special gifts chairs Wiley Anderson, Trevor Magyar, Margot Albeck Phillips and Kate Scavello; and participation chairs Nora Abularach and Lissa Seem.
The Jim Lebenthal ’49 Young Alumni Service Award for Annual Giving service characterized by true Tiger spirit, enthusiasm and creativity was presented to Charmaine Lee ’14 and Owen Ayers ’19.
2023-24 Annual Giving Volunteer Achievement Awards
Sue Walsh, associate vice president for Annual Giving, and Helm Award winner, Jeff Sharp ’80
