Best Princeton’s Class Day

The globally popular podcaster, bestselling author, and motivational speaker Jay Shetty has now been announced as the Princeton’s Class Day speaker for Princeton University’s Class of 2025. This was made known on April 8 by the Class Day Committee, and while this has generated excitement amongst a lot of seniors, the decision was also not without criticism, especially relating to the controversy that envelops Shetty’s career. The event will take place on May 26 at Cannon Green, a day before Princeton’s Commencement ceremony.

Tradition of Princeton’s Class Day

Historical Background:

• The class day of Princeton dates back to the middle of the 19th century and had origins even before the civil war.
• It was formally held first in 1866 and has grown till this time, keeping itself as a significant event led by the seniors themselves.

Organized by Seniors:

• The whole event is all planned and presided over by the graduating senior class and not by the university administrators.
• It reflects the creativity, achievements, and spirit of the senior class.

Main Features of the Ceremony:

• It includes speeches from graduating seniors and a distinguished guest speaker.
• It presents awards and prizes to students for their deeds.
• The university president symbolically delivers the ‘keys to the campus’ to the senior leaders.

Lighthearted, Yet Reflective:

• Because of this, the event blends serious parts with humor, giving students an opportunity to reminisce on their years at Princeton.
• Crowning has superb performances by worthy students with a recall of memorable class accomplishments.

• Venue, Atmosphere: It has been held in Cannon Green just behind Nassau Hall, which has created a festive and community feel among students, families, and friends.

Guest Speaker Tradition:

• Since 2001, an external speaker has come to give remarks at Class Day.
• Some past speakers have included notable figures such as Trevor Noah, Anthony Fauci, and Sam Waterston.

Symbolism of FitzRandolph Gates: Seniors pass through these gates on Class Day as a rite of passage from student to alumni.

Website: https://www.princeton.edu/news/2025/04/08/

Jay Shetty : A Profile 

The Class Day Committee chose Shetty for his work on promoting mental health, building community, and fostering relationships. He is aligned with the concerns and priorities of students today who are facing the life-changing uncertainty following the pandemic and growing concerns about mental health.

Past Life of Jay Shetty:  

• Graduated from Bayes Business School in London.
• Three years in a monastery in India and Europe, learning mindfulness and self-discipline. 
• His public platform was launched in 2016 with viral videos on wellness and personal growth.
• Host of On Purpose, one of the most popular podcasts worldwide, featuring guests such as Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama.

Books and Achievements:  

• The author of two New York Times bestsellers, Think Like a Monk (2020),and 8 Rules of Love (2023);  
• Has been recognized by Forbes, People, Adweek, and The Hollywood Reporter for his work in the wellness and digital media industries;  
• Chief Purpose Officer at Calm, a leading meditation app.

Key Themes Likely to be Discussed:  

• Mindfulness: To encourage graduates to be in the present and increase their awareness amid distractions in life.  
• Mental Health: Techniques for addressing anxiety and stress through the transition from university into work.  
• Purpose: Encourage students to act in accordance with their values to truly serve others. 

Excitement Among Seniors

Shetty’s appointment as Class Day speaker has generated a lot of excitement throughout the various members of the graduating class. Committee members said that the seniors appreciated Shetty’s relatable content on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify. “It was really nice to hear that people had already come across this content in one way or another,” Park said.

Joseph stressed that Shetty was excited to engage in the Princeton community: “He was super excited about the opportunity to come and speak at Princeton.” It seems like he’s going to be an inspiring speaker for many seniors who value this moment of passage in their lives for self-exploration and personal growth.

Criticism and Controversy

He has remained an illustrious character in the motivational circuit and writer after having been put to severe criticism and undergoing many controversies that affected his status. Let me enlist the basic points here concerning these matters:

1. Falsification of Life Story:  

• There are allegations that Shetty falsely misrepresented his background by stating he had spent three years in an Indian temple as a monk, while reports indicated the actual time spent with monks in India was far less than the claimed duration. 
• His website states that he spent vacations living with monks in India during his school years; this story has been questioned for credibility by various media sources.   

2. Charges of Plagiarism:  

• Plagiarism accusations have been leveled against Shetty for intentionally reposting content from other authors without proper attribution or compensation.
• If he uses the content now, attributing it to the original content owners, some claim that no permission is asked and no compensation paid for using their work. 

3. Discrepancies Regarding His Educational Qualifications:  With Shetty’s education, there are inconsistencies. His resume indicates a degree in Behavioral Science from a business school, but that business school does not offer such a course. 

4. Jay Shetty Certification School Controversy:  Charging very high fees ($7,400 per term) for Postgraduate Diploma qualifications, which can be compared to the level of a master’s degree, the legitimacy and accreditation behind these programs have come under scrutiny. 

5. There has never been an official response from Shetty:  The aforementioned statements have not in any way attracted direct responses from Shetty. 

6. Public Perception:  These controversies have created mixed reactions on social media; some of them are questioning his credibility, while others stand by his work.

Jay Shetty promises to bring a beautiful address at Princeton focused on self-discovery and connection, especially in such uncertain times as these. Though his appointment is receiving mixed emotions among seniors, he is expected to be exciting or skeptical; however, there are themes at graduation that are company with his message: reflections of self-growth and visions into purpose-filled futures.

Class Day at Princeton will be on May 26, after which all eyes will be focused on Cannon Green as students prepare to hear one of the most influential voices in mental health and mindfulness today, a choice that strikes both inspiration and controversy within this year’s graduating class.