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This Week in Princeton History for March 25-31

In this week’s installment of our recurring series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, the Princetonian urges an alumni organization to hire editors with more “integrity”, a new program in electrical engineering is announced, and more.

March 25, 1965—Detectives find no explanation for the apparent suicide of lecturer Robert M. Hurt, 29, described by colleagues as “relaxed” and “cheerful” prior to his death.

Robert Hurt, ca. 1960s. Historical Photograph Collection, Faculty Photographs Series (AC059), Box FAC51.

March 26, 1986—After Laura Ingraham resigns as editor of the Concerned Alumni of Princeton’s Prospect magazine, the Daily Princetonian urges CAP chair David Condit ’73 to be “looking for integrity” next time, noting that the journalistic “indiscretions which have appeared in Prospect are legion” under the editorial direction of both Ingraham and her predecessor, Dinesh D’Souza. There will be no next time, however, the sole issue of Prospect Ingraham has put out will be the last ever published by CAP.

This was the last issue of the Concerned Alumni of Princeton’s magazine, Prospect, and the only one with Laura Ingraham in her year as the editor, although the official publication schedule was every other month. In this issue, Ingraham, a recent graduate of Dartmouth, wrote an extended article on why feminism was, in her opinion, destructive to Princeton and a shorter editorial claiming that Princeton’s conservative students had no mentors because conservative faculty were being silenced. The cover art references another article arguing against Princeton University divesting from apartheid South Africa, though many students had pressured the institution to divest for decades. Princeton University Publications Collection (AC364), Box 16.

March 29, 1889—At the annual dinner of the Princeton Alumni of New York and Vicinity, Princeton president Francis Landey Patton announces a new program in electrical engineering.

The first electrical engineering laboratory at Princeton, 1890. Historical Subject Files (AC109), Box 31, Folder 4.

March 30, 1978—About 70 students join Princeton University Library Assistants union members at a rally that attracts 140 people as PULA contract negotiations stall. It is believed to be the first time Princeton’s students have joined in public support of union employees in a labor dispute with the institution.

For the previous installment in this series, click here.

Fact check: We always strive for accuracy, but if you believe you see an error, please contact us.

April C. Armstrong *14

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