Emphasizing the value of a liberal arts education, Princeton President Shirley M. Tilghman addresses the crowd of 10,000 students and guests assembled on the front lawn of Nassau Hall for the University's 265th Commencement. The University awarded degrees to 1,230 undergraduates in the Class of 2012, five from other classes and 832 graduate students.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)

Degree candidates from Princeton's Graduate School applaud during the Commencement ceremony.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)

Graduating seniors Dustin Davidson, left, and Paolo Iaccarino get a hug on Cannon Green after the ceremony.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)

Shin-Yi Lin, a molecular biology Ph.D. graduate, celebrates with her 8-month-old daughter, Una.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, David Kelly Crow (2012)

Senior Elizabeth Butterworth, a classics major from Auburn, Mass., delivers the Latin Salutatory, the Unversity's oldest student honor.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)

The front campus, facing Nassau Hall, overflows with students in gowns and mortarboards, as they are awarded Princeton degrees and become graduates.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, David Kelly Crow (2012)

Tilghman joins faculty members who were recognized with President's Awards for Distinguished Teaching: (from left): Daniel Rodgers, Carol Greenhouse, Jeffrey Schwartz and Maria Garlock.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)

Honorary degree recipients pictured with Tilghman and University Orator Stephen Oxman (second from left) were: (from left): Peter Carril, Eduardo Padrón, Karen Uhlenbeck. Joseph Taylor Jr., Joan Wallach Scott and Aretha Franklin.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)

Christopher Campisano (left), director of Princeton's Program in Teacher Preparation, and Tilghman gather with the outstanding New Jersey secondary school teachers who were honored at Commencement: (from left) Enzo Paterno, Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies, Edison; Victorina Wasmuth, Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School, Jersey City; Dana Maloney, Tenafly High School, Tenafly; and Daniel Kaplan, Matawan Regional High School, Aberdeen.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)

Seniors share a laugh before the start of the Commencement ceremony.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)

Graduate Eric Kim, center, is joined on the steps of Clio Hall with his father, Youngjun Kim, and his mother, Karen Kim, after the ceremony.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)

Commencement is the last of the many festivities enjoyed by graduating students. It is an occasion filled with an array of emotions — especially jubilation — as Princetonians connect with each other while looking to the future.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, David Kelly Crow (2012)

Students enjoy a lighthearted moment at Princeton University's 265th Commencement ceremony on Tuesday, June 5.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, David Kelly Crow (2012)

Valedictorian Nathaniel Fleming reminds his classmates that the fundamental lessons they learned at Princeton will serve them well regardless of their ultimate career path.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)

Princeton President Shirley M. Tilghman proudly presides over the Commencement exercises, at which the University awarded degrees to 1,230 undergraduates in the Class of 2012, five from other classes and 832 graduate students.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)

Hall of Fame coach Peter Carril, who led the Princeton men's basketball team for 29 seasons, receives his academic hood from chief marshal Douglas Clark after his introduction as an honorary degree recipient. Faculty marshal Sandra Bermann (left) looks on as Princeton President Shirley M. Tilghman (background) confers Carril's honorary degree.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)

From left, Princeton President Shirley M. Tilghman congratulates Hall of Fame basketball coach Peter Carril after conferring his honorary degree, as University Trustee Charles Gibson and chief marshal Douglas Clark look on.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)

Famed singer Aretha Franklin prepares to receive an honorary degree as chief marshal Douglas Clark looks on.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)

Singer Aretha Franklin, known as the "Queen of Soul," receives the applause of the crowd at Princeton's Commencement ceremony as she is announced as an honorary degree recipient. Looking on (from left) are Princeton President Shirley M. Tilghman, chief marshal Douglas Clark and University Trustee A. Scott Berg.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)

Legendary singer Aretha Franklin receives her academic hood from chief marshal Douglas Clark after her introduction as an honorary degree recipient. Faculty marshal Sandra Bermann (left) and University Trustee A. Scott Berg (right) look on as Princeton President Shirley M. Tilghman (background) confers Franklin's honorary degree.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, David Kelly Crow (2012)

Eduardo Padrón, president of Miami Dade College, receives his academic hood from chief marshal Douglas Clark after his introduction as an honorary degree recipient.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)

Princeton University President Shirley M. Tilghman congratulates Eduardo Padrón, president of Miami Dade College, after conferring his honorary degree.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)

Princeton students enjoy their last moments together as undergraduates at the University's Commencement exercises.

Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Denise Applewhite (2012)