Starting Wednesday, February 9, Emory alumni across Atlanta will open their doors and set their tables for students and faculty as part of the Emory Alumni Association’s (EAA) seventh annual Dinner with 12 Strangers.

Over five consecutive days, alumni will host 38 dinners. Besides providing a great meal for free to students tired of Cox Hall or out of DUC swipes, the dinners are an excellent opportunity to meet new people, explore the city, and hear from both alumni and Emory faculty about their college and graduate experiences.

Hosts for the dinners reflect a wide range of interests and careers, including CDC employees, financial experts, nutritionists, stand-up comedians, attorneys, travelers, and antique collectors. Emory College Dean Robin Forman and his wife, Ann, are among the hosts. John Ford, senior vice president for campus life will also host a dinner with his wife, Hilary.

Some hosts like Joe O’Geen 10C, a current Residence Hall Director in Harris Hall, attended a Dinner with 12 Strangers last year and return as co-hosts for 2011. RHA members, OEO leaders, tour guides, Greek life representatives, photographers, cooks, and dancers reflect another small portion of the eclectic group of alumni hosting.

“The goal of the program is for students to realize how far the Emory network extends,” said Gloria Grevas, director of alumni programs for the EAA. “Seeing involved alumni not only helps students understand all the ways they can stay connected to Emory after they graduate, but helps them realize how large the Emory community is.” Grevas added, “These dinners help them to start exploring and utilizing it beginning with networking.”

A new addition to the Dinner with 12 Strangers program this year is a special student/alumni Shabbat dinner to be held at the Marcus Hillel Center on Friday, February 11. The Shabbat dinner will begin with a Kiddush service at 6:00 p.m., and dinner will follow at 7:00 p.m. Dessert will be served at 8:15 p.m. and tours of the center will be offered.

For specific information about the Shabbat dinner, contact Emory Hillel's Michael Rabkin at 404.963.2548 ext. 102 or at michael@emoryhillel.org.

Students can register and learn more about specific dinners on the Dinner with 12 Strangers website.

-- Liz Speyer 14C, student assistant, EAA