It’s the return of one of my favorite EAA events, Seniors at Sweetwater! Only this time less sappy. Looking back to April, I can’t figure out what all the fuss was about. Turns out life after graduation isn’t so bad.

Last night the Class of 2010 and Atlanta Young Alumni gathered at Sweetwater Brewing Company for some seasonal brews. I figured the recently cold weather would keep people away, but after about an hour or so things really picked up. All in all, about 150 seniors and alumni showed up to pass the evening with pizza and beer.

Yes, pizza.

The addition of Maddio’s Pizza to the event couldn’t have been more perfectly planned.

Sweetwater had all of their fall beers on tap, providing quite a delicious lineup. My favorite was the charmingly named “Wet Dream” beer from the Dank Tank series. You’ve got to give Sweetwater credit; they have some clever, albeit inappropriate, names for their beers. Motor Boat is another fall favorite with a little bit more to the name.

We spent most of our time people-watching, noting with a little sadness that we knew very few seniors who were there, and that we’ve officially become old. And yes, I say that in the “we’re actually not old, but like to complain that we are" kind of way that comes with still being jealous we’re not in college any more.

Obnoxious, I know, but it’s all we’ve got.

Of course, there were some familiar faces in the crowd and several of the other alumni were friends that I brought along, so all in all everyone had a great time.

Except for the band. They were set up outside in the cold (hey, 33 degrees at night is cold in my book) and as it got dark the few brave souls who had ventured outside left them to fend for themselves. I hope they eventually came inside to enjoy the evening as well.

Being an alumna isn’t too bad after all--my pre-graduation anxiety about leaving Emory seems to have been for nothing. The EAA does a good job of making sure there are enough events to give everyone a chance to reminisce about the good old days--even if they were only a few months ago.

And I’m not just saying that because I work here.

-- Kelley Quinn 08B, coordinator, Emory Alumni Board