Since the late 19th century, alumni have been coming back to Princeton's campus before Commencement to reconnect with their classes and University departments at Reunions. Since 1915, alumni have been coming back to Princeton in mid-winter for Alumni Day, the "intellectual pilgrimage," to get a glimpse of campus life while classes are in session.

In addition to their love of learning and affection for their classmates, Princeton alumni maintain ties to the University by affiliation, for example, gender, ethnicity or special interest. Recognizing the importance of these ties, the University has hosted on-campus conferences in partnership with affiliated or affinity alumni groups. The first two conferences took place in the fall of 2006: "Coming Back and Looking Forward Conference for Black Princeton Alumni" and "Kaleidoscope: An Alumni Conference on Race and Community."

After a four-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, alumni affinity conferences celebrating the many faces of Princeton will return in fall 2024.