Contest Topic and Information

Contest Information 

Admission to Princeton is a privilege. It’s also a responsibility. The responsibility is to use the privilege to give back to world. Princeton University's informal motto is "In the Nation's Service and the Service of Humanity." That can seem awkward. More simply stated would be a mandate for service.

The Reward

We want to know of the world changing service ideas that are motivating the imaginations of today’s undergraduates. We want to help you to shape that dream, beginning with a short essay of what you dream and what you hope will result.

The reward is a prize of $5,000 to the Princeton undergraduate whose essay shows the greatest promise of a brighter human future. We hope that this will become a yearly challenge.

Of course, like admissions, selecting that winning essay will be imperfect. The value of participating lies in the thinking and writing that go into the preparation of the essay. We will publish online many excellent essays. Not all can be the winner.

What Is Service?

Service can mean many things. Jeff Bezos ‘86 served consumers by upending retailing, and he was richly rewarded with earthly blessings. Of course, you don’t have to attend Princeton to change the world or to be an inspiration, but it can help.

Jenny Ungbha Korn '96 graduated ten years after Jeff Bezos, and she is making her mark as an advocate for justice and equality of opportunity. Jenny’s father, not a Princeton graduate, was a physician in Gadsden, AL for decades. In the early days of COVID-19, Dr. Korn didn’t hesitate. He treated his patients with little thought to himself. He lost his life in the process, giving his life to his patients. That’s service.

The Class of 1958 in Service

For obvious reasons, we’re very hesitant to single out any single individual from our class, or even a group of individuals, as worthy of acknowledgement of unusual service. Still, there is one individual worth such mention.

Gordon Wu came to Princeton from faraway with an eye for the possible. His father was in the taxi business in Hong Kong. As an engineer, he saw the importance of infrastructure to the economic prosperity of any area. That insight brought him wealth.

More importantly, Gordon Wu saw the benefit of investing in mainland China, when others saw only risk. Mr. Wu, Sir Wu to the British, has done much to bring together nations that might otherwise be enveloped in conflict.

Gordon Wu has also been a faithful son of Princeton. For these reasons, we single out Sir Gordon Wu as emblematic of the kind of service that we seek to inspire in these essays. As Gordon Wu has done, you can bring to the world a more prosperous future.

Specifics

The maximum word count is 1,000 with a minimum of 700, not including citations and bibliography. Document any sources that you use. All submissions must adhere to contest requirements.

The contest deadline is September 1, 2026.

Contest Topic

Describe your dream for a better world and the role that you imagine yourself having in its achievement. Include an analysis of the obstacles, risks, and consequences, intended or unintended, that may eventuate. Originality will be a criterion in the judging.

All entries must include a completed registration form and be submitted by 11:59pm (EST) on September 1, 2026, to be eligible for judging. Neither the Princeton University Class of 1958, nor Princeton University, is responsible for lost, late, misdirected, damaged, illegible, or incomplete submissions.

Decisions of the Princeton Class of 1958 judges are final. Winners will be notified by email and via telephone by December 31, 2026 or earlier. All participants will receive a letter notifying them of the winners along with a Certificate of Participation shortly thereafter.

By entering, you agree that your essay will become the property of the Princeton University Class or 1958 and its successors and will not be returned. The sponsors reserve the right to print, publish, and display the essays and photographs of the contest winners.

Contact the Contest Coordinator

Important Note: Before contacting the Essay Contest Coordinator, please be sure to read over the FAQ section of this website.

Email: Secretary@Tiger58.org.