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The week following Reunions in 1970 was a significant one. While most alumni returned to their homes on Sunday morning after an undoubtedly festive few days, a small group gathered at the Princeton Inn College, now known as Forbes, for the inaugural Alumni College. This on-campus gathering featured faculty lectures, seminar discussions, field trips, and recreational activities. It was a chance for alumni to engage with one another both intellectually and socially, and it set the stage for what would become Princeton Journeys some 34 years later.
In response to alumni demand, subsequent Alumni Colleges were organized, ranging from two to 14 days, at various destinations outside of Princeton. Among these were “The Yankee Spirit” at Martha’s Vineyard and “New York: Profile of a City,” held at the Princeton Club of New York. The summer of 1976 marked another milestone: the first international Alumni College in Rouen, France. This program brought together 35 travelers from the classes of 1925 to 1965 to study modern France under the guidance of two Princeton faculty members and two local alumni professionals — an architect and a lawyer.
For the next two decades, Alumni Colleges remained a beloved feature of the Alumni Council’s annual programming. By the mid-’90s, however, operations waned, creating a noticeable void. Former participants approached the Alumni Council in 1998 requesting that the University offer an educational travel program of a caliber befitting Princeton and comparable to those of peer institutions.
With the support of the Board of Trustees and the University's president and provost, the Alumni Association drew up a proposal in 2002 for the expansion of Alumni Colleges. The result? Princeton Journeys — a 2004 pilot program intended to run for just a few years. And yet, 20 years since its founding, Princeton Journeys is more popular than ever. Embodying a commitment to education and engagement through small-group travel experiences, the program has expanded from four to 20 trips per year and has cumulatively toured more than 95 countries.
Now, as we celebrate Princeton Journeys’ anniversary, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Princeton alumni, faculty, and friends who have joined us on these trips. Your enthusiasm and intellectual interests have been the driving force behind this remarkable tradition of experiential learning.
Looking ahead, we remain dedicated to crafting uniquely Princeton travel experiences that not only explore the wonders of our world but also foster a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of human knowledge and culture. Here’s to the next 20 years of Princeton Journeys — may they be filled with Tiger camaraderie, continued curiosity, and shared adventures.
