Princeton University – 5 Fun Facts

by Scott Jacobson

Princeton University fun facts Check out these 5 interesting / fun facts about Princeton University

When many people think of the Ivy League, they think of schools that are steeped in tradition.

They bring to mind images of academic excellence and social elitism. Princeton University is no different. It is consistently ranked in the top five colleges each year by US News & World Report.

While many people know the serious statistics surrounding Princeton University you may not know are listed below.

Princeton University Interesting Facts

1. In 1774, Princeton’s sixth president, John Witherspoon, coined the term “campus” in its current definition that is used today.

2. Nassau Hall, on the Princeton campus, served as the capitol of the United States in 1783 for approximately five months. The Continental Congress also met there during this time.

3. In 1969, a Princeton alumni, Pete Conrad class of 1953, became just the third person to walk on the moon. While he was there, what did he do? Why, planted a Princeton flag, of course.

4. Princeton has a great impact on the world as we know it. Many items are named after the school, such as Mt. Princeton in Colorado, Asteroid Princetonia, and Princeton Glacier in Alaska.

5. Princeton has one of the oldest collegiate political, literary, and debating groups, the American Whig-Cliosophic Society. If politics are not your thing, you can join one of the 10 historic eating clubs that started in 1879. Each one has about 160 members who all eat in the club’s private dining hall. They also participate in intramural sports, public service, and leadership programs.