As the leader of the Class of 1941’s effort heading into its 25th Reunion, Short was trying to rally his classmates to a new all-time high for any Princeton class—$200,000. The Class of 1926 was aiming for the same mark, sparking a lively competition.

An Annual Giving staffer told Short, “‘I have two fellows from ’26 sitting here,’” recalled Short. “They were ready to write checks that would beat whatever we had.” 

The Class of 1926 would edge out 1941, but both topped $200,000 and helped launch the tradition of classes making an extra effort to support Annual Giving during their major Reunion years.

Since that momentous year, Short—a University trustee from 1972 to 1982—has remained a stalwart Princeton volunteer. He served as chairman of the Annual Giving Committee, led the leadership gifts committee during the capital campaign under President William Bowen *58, and later volunteered for the Anniversary Campaign for Princeton. In 1991, he was presented the Harold H. Helm Award for “exemplary and sustained service to Annual Giving.” And he has faithfully contributed to Annual Giving—72 consecutive years to date. 

There’s Always Time for Princeton

Short grew up down the road from Princeton, attending Trenton public schools, where his father was the director of health and physical education. “Princeton wasn’t academically easy for me at first,” said Short, a politics major, “but I worked hard.” He attended Yale Law School and practiced law for 10 years before joining the Knapp Shoe Company, eventually becoming its president. 

While he was raising a family and building his career, the University was a focal point. “Princeton has been my principal extracurricular activity,” said Short. “It has been a lot of fun.” Short likes connecting with classmates to garner support for the University—he puts a premium on face-to-face conversations—and the friendly competition between classes that he helped spur.

Yet Another Annual Giving Record

Fifty years after that 1966 finale, he stepped up once again this year to take charge of his class’s Annual Giving campaign, always at the ready for alma mater. “I enjoy the fact that we were leaders in Princeton’s Annual Giving effort, and as the years went by it just kept rolling along.” 

The Class of 1941 maintained that momentum for another banner year. After the Classes of 1935, 1936, and 1937—each with one remaining member, all of whom gave—1941 had the next highest participation rate, 82.6 percent. And it raised $429,030 to set a 75th Reunion record.