During a first-year orientation event Monday, Princeton University president Shirley M. Tilghman lauded the college's racial diversity amongst its dining hall staff. 'We have employees from over 20 countries and all 16 Southern states,' said Tilghman, singling out for praise Mexican-born busboy Hector Mendez, who chose Princeton's Forbes Dining Hall over dozens of other American college cafeterias. 'We've deliberately fostered an environment in which our students can interact with people from completely different backgrounds.' Tilghman added that while the dining staff is the brightest beacon of campus racial diversity, the university is also proud of its math and foreign language faculties. 