By Dominic Moross ’90
I recently met some of our newly inducted sophomores, and they are an impressive group. Out of 70 new members, 23 are from a wide range of countries (UK, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Germany, Indonesia, Korea, Nigeria and the UAE), a testament to the Club’s ability to attract undergraduates from a broad array of cultures.
When I encounter Ivy members all over the world, I am always gratified by the unspoken feeling of allegiance we have for each other. This trait is born of the respect, support, and loyalty we showed one another when we were undergraduates. Our Club provided us with a safe haven not from views that differed from our own, but in which we could discuss our varying opinions in a civil manner with friends. These moments of interaction, sometimes contentious, served to cement and enrich our friendships forever.
I would like to congratulate and thank this year’s undergraduate officers, led by Mina Para, for the stellar work they did managing the Club’s daily affairs. As senior thesis blues envelop them, they passed the baton to a wonderful group of new officers.
Our building, a cornerstone of the Princeton Historic District, continues to look terrific, undergoing maintenance when necessary under the astute vigil of board architects George Knight ’89 and Ryan Salvatore ’02. Ivy remains a home away from home, its nooks and crannies usually filled with members studying and taking advantage of Ivy’s peaceful aura. By popular demand, we plan to modernize the third-floor study space into a more comfortable area for collaborative study. Adam Ainslie ’17, who was recently accepted into Princeton’s Graduate Program in Architecture, will assist with the redesign.
I am happy to announce that we have two new board members: Shea Owens ’94 and Bill Ughetta ’82. In The Vine: What can you tell us about the Ivy men of your time? FHM: The members were usually, if not related to a previous Ivy member, from private boarding schools. We were not a particularly athletic club, although before my day there had been several greats, such as Josh Billings ’33 (Pyne Prize winner and Rhodes Scholar, later named Princeton’s scholar-athlete of the 20th century, whose portrait hangs in the Great Hall) and of course Hobey addition, I would like to welcome Julia Wilson ’11, who has joined us as Director of Member Services. Julia will assist the boards of the Club and 1879 Foundation, our graduate members, and the undergraduate officers, as well as helping coordinate our leadership initiatives. Julia, a font of energy, holds an MPA from Penn.
In the past few months, several graduates have visited the Club for dinner. I hear all the time from undergraduates that their love for Ivy grows each time they have the chance to meet graduate members. I encourage you to visit the Club and have a meal. I have no doubt that you will find the experience both nostalgic and enriching. Please feel free to contact Julia if you would like her to coordinate a visit or if you have any questions or comments. Her contact details are on the last page of this newsletter.
Our Leadership and Roundtable Programs continue to flourish with a roster of impressive and influential speakers. The challenges facing the world today put the spotlight on the importance of leadership and sound values. Through role models sourced from our network, these programs open the eyes of our members to the key tenets of good leadership, namely intelligence, curiosity, patience, self-discipline, consistency, humility, and self-awareness. As a fly on the walls of the Club, you would be proud to observe these qualities reflected in the daily activities and actions of our undergraduates. It is a tonic.