Salutatorian Rosie Eden, a classics major from Scottsdale, Arizona, delivered the Latin salutatory address, Princeton’s oldest student honor. In the days when the entire Commencement ceremony was conducted in Latin, the salutatio was a formal, serious address. It has evolved to become a farewell to Princeton campus life with humorous tributes and recollections.

In English

Given in the Academic Assembly of Princeton University on the 27th of May
In the year 2025
In the 278th Year of the University

Welcome dear parents, students and friends. We come together to celebrate the Great Class of 2025! I can think of no better way to mark the beginning of new futures than to speak in the ancient manner, as if I were Cicero.

In our first year, we came to Princeton holding our heads high, and from dry mouths, we spat into tubes each week to keep the evil coronavirus at bay. We managed to find joy in uncertain times, as we donned our finest masks and reveled in our take-home exams. In our second semester, we raised our spirits and lowered our masks, daring to look at the mysterious bottom halves of our professors’ faces! By Jupiter, despite this tumultuous start to our college education, we emerged victorious!

Our following years at Princeton were defined by change. Our res colleges and dining halls were torn down and built anew. We navigated countless construction detours on our way to classes. As our campus changed, so did we. Through trials and tribulations, we became the young adults we are today. We conquered many essays and P-sets, leaving time, of course, to indulge the sweet siren song of Prospect Avenue. We lit the bonfire of glory, after defeating the wretched Crimson and Bulldogs on our own home turf! We descended into the madness of March, stunning the world by the might of our brains and brawn.

To quote Taylor Swift, one so often blessed by the Muses: “Hold on to the memories. They will hold on to you.” It is a joy to rejoice in these memories together. As we prepare to walk out of FitzRandolph Gate, let us remember the friends, professors and deeds on campus, for they were shaping us. Let us hold the memories in our hearts as we venture far from these ivy-covered walls.

Long live the Great Class of 2025! We did it!

In Latin

Habita in Comitiis Academicis Princetoniae ante diem vi Kalendas Iunias
Anno MMXXV
Anno Academiae CCLXXVIII

Salvete carissimi parentes, discipuli, amici! Convenimus ut celebremus magnam cohortem anni MMXXV. Non possum excogitare modum meliorem principium novorum fatorum designandi quam more antiquo loquar quasi ego Cicero.

In primo anno, nostro capita alta ferentes Princetoniam venimus et singulis hebdomadibus ex siccis oribus in fistulas sputavimus ut virus malum coronae propelleremus. Incertis temporibus felicitatem invenire potuimus, dum mascas optimas induimus et fruimur remotis examinibus. Secundo semestri animos nostros ereximus et mascas removimus, ausi conspicere arcanas partes inferiores magistrorum nostrorum facierum. Pro Iove, contempto principio difficili itineris disciplinae nostrae victores exivimus!

Anni reliqui Princetoniae mutationibus insignes fuerunt. Dormitoria residentialia et triclinia destructa et refecta sunt. Per innumera constructionis obstacula scholae itineris cursum navigavimus. Ita ut campus noster mutabatur, et nos mutabamur. Per labores et tribulationes tales iuvenes facti sumus quales nunc sumus. Vicimus tractatus multasque problematorum collectiones, tempus scilicet servantes ut dulci cantui Sirenarum Viae Prospectus indulgeremus. In campo nostro infandis rubris canibusque victis, rogum gloriae accendimus. Descendimus in insaniam Martii, vi et animi et corporis mundum stupefacientes.

Ut citemus illud Vestificae Celeris a Musis totiens consecratae: “Tenete memorias, vos tenebunt.” Iuvat haec omnes memoravisse. Dum nos praeparamus porta FitzRandolphi exire, mementote amicorum et magistrorum et in campo gestorum quia nos formabant. Teneamus memorias in cordibus nostris dum ab his muris hedera opertis longe proficiscimur.

Viva magna cohors anni MMXXV! Perfecimus!