Thank you Class of 2023
By Mayu Takeuchi
I was asked to write a farewell letter, but, to my classmates in the Great Class of 2023, this isn’t farewell — I’m looking forward to seeing you as alumni at local gatherings, at Reunions, and at future March Madness watch parties.
Instead, here are some thank yous.
Thanks to our many peer mentors over the years, who’ve been there for us since our earliest days as Tigers. Special thanks go to the RCAs, PAAs, and orientation leaders and fellows who helped us navigate our transitions to Princeton — for some of us an hour drive from home and for others a cross-country drive or an international flight away, but for all of us a completely new adventure.
Thank you to all the campus dining staff for keeping us nourished both physically and emotionally for the past four years. You’re a huge part of what’s made Princeton home, from our huge Pre-Rade BBQ, through arrival quarantines and many late meal runs, and now as we’re finishing our last meals on campus. I’ve enjoyed savoring everything from chefs’ hometown dishes to RoMa’s grilled cheese sandwiches — still my go-to when I need a pick-me-up.
Thank you to all the staff at University Health Services who have been there right with us through not just COVID, but also all the seasons and all the forms and manifestations of the Princeton Plague. We quite literally could not have made it through without you. As the world and our campus continue to diversify and evolve, so do our experiences and our needs; thank you for continuing to adapt and support us through the fast-paced experience of being students at Princeton University.
Thank you to all the university services and facilities staff, with a special shout out to the building services staff, for working tirelessly so that we can call this magical place home. Another special shout out to the staff tackling construction: In the face of never-ending construction projects — that promise a more sustainable, cutting-edge university that expands access to a Princeton education — thank you for continuing to listen to and act on our lived experiences as students. It truly means so much.
Thanks to all the academic and residential college staff, preceptors, lecturers, and professors who have helped us grow into the students and people we are today. Special thanks go to the preceptors who’ve stayed up late giving us feedback on tricky problem sets and papers and to the professors who have been eager not only to teach but also to learn alongside us.
Thanks go to the many caring staff that have supported us in affinity spaces and other invaluable sources of community across campus. Given this institution’s complex — and in many ways exclusionary — history, it’s been deeply meaningful to have these spaces and communities. You’ve also empowered us to serve and care for each other and for our community.
Thanks to all our Class Gov officers over the years for building out creative programming even as we were scattered across the globe, empowering us to continue strengthening our ’23 community. Thank you for organizing everything from our record-breaking pub nights to the sentimental Sunset Soirée, and for the comfy sweatshirts I’ll happily be lounging in for years to come.
Thanks to the many student activists over the years who pushed for change to improve our campus for all students. Just during our time as students, we’ve celebrated 50 years of co-education; seen our community reckon with racial injustice; witnessed the University divest and dissociate from over 90 fossil fuel companies; and more — all powered by the hard work of student and alumni volunteers, in the service of humanity.
Thanks to my peers who have served our campus community, especially those who’ve stepped up to support their peers’ mental health and wellness during challenging times of uncertainty, loss, and isolation. These experiences are challenging enough to navigate as individuals; thank you for putting in countless hours to support us and the community, and for showing us what it means to serve.
Thanks to our student athletes for inspiring us with your tenacity and dedication, even in the face of pandemic-related complications. You’ve also proven that we are indeed an athletics powerhouse. Even just in our last semester, we’ve seen our classmate become Princeton’s first NCAA wrestling champion in 72 years and our men’s and women’s basketball teams go on historic March Madness runs, busting brackets everywhere. Plus, let’s not forget the bonfire our junior year… And those are only some highlights. Go Tigers!!
Thanks to our artists and performers for bringing such joy to our community across all four years. While I’m sure the months of virtual rehearsals and asynchronously recorded performances weren’t quite what you expected coming in, it’s truly been so special to see your passions come to life onstage — whether that’s been under Blair Arch, at Frist Theater, or spontaneously in a friend’s dorm room on a Friday night.
Thanks to the many, many alumni who make Princeton as special as it is. A special shout out to the alumni who’ve put in hundreds of hours so we can make the most of our Princeton experience even through the turbulence of the past few years, like by crafting meaningful service internships for us during our virtual summers, offering mentorship on careers and life, and so much more. It’s an honor to join you all and to continue your work supporting future Princetonians.
Of course, deep thanks to all our parents, families, and loved ones. It’s thanks to you that we could step foot on campus in the first place, and with your support, we’ve been able to grow in more ways than we could have ever imagined. Thank you for all your love and support over the years.
Last but not least, my thanks to all of you, my peers in the Great Class of 2023. Thank you for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve you as USG President, and most importantly for making this place and journey so special — more than words could ever express. Thank you, and see you around!
Mayu Takeuchi served as the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) President from January 2022 to January 2023.
Banner photo by Louisa Gheorghita '26
