September 11, 2001 was a beautiful day. One of the finest of the year. I was working for a hedge fund and we were discussing our portfolio positions. Suddenly we heard that a plane had crashed into one of the twin towers. One of our brokers, whose office was on the top floor, called to let us know that they were all ok, that he was helping others evacuate the building, and that he was going to stay briefly to notify his clients about the resulting disruption in service due to the evacuation. Because he stayed, he became one of the thousands that never got out. I lost a friend that day. Yet it also helped me come to the realization that I was less interested in reward than I was of mission; and ultimately, that is why I am here at Princeton.