Let’s Go Emory! parties introduce freshman to community

Coming to Emory is clearly a family affair. Tiffany Harlow 01C (fourth from left) welcomed a quartet of first cousins: Jordan McGuffie; Jasmine Bowles, Justin Harlow and Jason Harlow (left to right) to her alma mater during Atlanta’s Let’s Go Emory! party on Sunday, Aug. 13.

Weeks before any incoming freshmen stepped foot on the Emory campus, the Emory Alumni Association (EAA) introduced them to alumni ambassadors who personally welcomed them to the Emory community.

Over the summer in 30 locations across the country, Let’s Go Emory! parties brought together some 1,000 guests gathered not just to celebrate the coming of a new academic year but also to help the newest members of the Emory community—the Class of 2010 and their families—feel right at home.

Pat Meyer 10P said the Let’s Go Emory! party she attended in Houston gave her and her daughter Kathryn, an incoming student, a lot of confidence going into her first year at Emory.

“She had a great time visiting with other Houston-area freshmen,” said Meyer, who attended Let’s Go Emory! Houston with her daughter and husband Bill. “But she was even more excited after talking with some Emory alumnae. Kathryn left the party ready to leave immediately for Atlanta. She received so much encouragement and affirmation.”

Many alumni opened their homes to host Let’s Go Emory parties. Others—including several of the larger events—were held in public or private meeting spaces. Some gatherings we led by one alumni family, others involved a team of alumni hosts (one person provided the house, another was responsible for refreshments, etc,).

Alumni hosts added distinctive touches to each party. One alumna decorated her home with Emory Eagles. In some cases, alumni used Let’s Go Emory! parties to strengthen their own ties. The Savannah, Ga. party doubled as a chapter organizational session for alumni in the area.

The largest event took place in Atlanta, on Aug. 13 in the Miller-Ward Alumni House. Some 300 guests, featuring incoming freshmen and their families—mixed with Emory alumni, and staff and administrators from the EAA, Division of Campus Life and Emory College—got together to celebrate the start of the school year.

“This was a great event, I learned a lot,” said Justin Harlow, an incoming freshman from College Park, Ga. He was in attendance with several family members including his twin brother Jason, his cousin (and new roommate) Jordan McGuffie, another cousin, Jasmine Bowles, and sister Tiffany 01C. “I got to ask a lot of questions and everyone was really helpful.”—Eric Rangus