Students shot pictures of themselves as they waited for the procession to start.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Brian Wilson (2009)

Lillian Pierce, who was Princeton's valedictorian in 2002, reached two milestones this year: defending her dissertation and giving birth to her daughter. Both dressed to receive the Ph.D. in mathematics.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Brian Wilson (2009)

Graduates filled the front lawn of Nassau Hall, as skies cleared after a morning shower.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Brian Wilson (2009)

Students celebrated as they walked through FitzRandolph Gates after the ceremony.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Brian Wilson (2009)

Faculty members recognized with President's Awards for Distinguished Teaching by President Shirley M. Tilghman (center) were (from left) Mitchell Duneier, Eddie Glaude, Valerie Smith and Sharad Malik.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2009)

Honorary degree recipients pictured with President Shirley M. Tilghman (right) were: (from left) Meryl Streep, Alice Waters, Irvin Glassman, Ruby Dee Davis and Ernesto Cortés Jr.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2009)

Students find their names in the Commencement program.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2009)

Salutatorian Stephen Hammer, a classics major from Carrollton, Texas, delivered the salutatory address, which at Princeton is traditionally given in Latin and is the University's oldest student honor.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2009)

The outstanding New Jersey secondary school teachers introduced during the ceremony by Provost Christopher Eisgruber (left) were (from right): James Danch, Colonia High School, Colonia; Martin Shields, Pascack Hills High School, Montvale; Rebecca Strum, Bergen County Academies, Hackensack; and Katherine O'Neil, East Brook Middle School, Paramus.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2009)

The valedictory oration was delivered by Holger Staude, an economics major from Frankfurt, Germany, who reminded his classmates to continue to ask questions.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2009)

President Shirley M. Tilghman implored the graduates to use their education to solve some of the world's most challenging problems. She also encouraged them to be seekers of purpose and meaning through engagement with the arts.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2009)

Students tossed their caps into the air after officially being designated as graduates at the ceremony.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2009)

Hema Sundaresan, a member of the class of 2009, received a congratulatory embrace from her grandmother, Lalitha, on Cannon Green after the University's 262nd Commencement. Princeton awarded degrees to 1,128 undergraduates and 753 graduate students during ceremonies Tuesday, June 2, on the front lawn of Nassau Hall.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2009)

From right, graduate Denrick Cooper showed off his diploma at Mathey College to his dad, Denrick Cooper, and cousins Jayden Cooper and Elaine Carnegie.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2009)