Kiawah Island, SC 2011
When a group of friends “know each other before other labels… like parent, teacher, lawyer, architect, or web designer” are earned, those relationships are bound to transcend decades of time. Such is the case with Jeanne H. Rowan 89C and her nine, yes nine, life-long friends (Sara H. Haynes 89C, Von Grubbs 90C, Kerry Geiger 90B, Adam Meyers 90C, Shannon T. Poteat 90C, Michele Washko 90C, Meredith Ragains 90C, Laura M. Casellas 90C, Lucy S. Moses 90C). “I came to Emory University in the fall of 1986. I was placed in Trimble Hall… [and] it was there that ten of us met and became fast friends,” Rowan says about the onset of her lasting friendships.
Von and Jeanne
Though the ten college students were able to meet other people and widen out “through various clubs and academic pursuits,” Rowan proudly notes, “however, [that] these are the connections that seemed to last.” Indeed, their ties lasted despite their vast geographic locations. While Von Grubbs 90C lives in Chicago and Kerry Geiger 90B resides in Los Angeles, these ten college pals still “talk and email throughout the year.”
Rowan reveals a heartwarming element of this enduring friendship when she notes “our real chance to reconnect, however, is when we meet each year at Kiawah Island, SC for a weekend full of hysterical fits of laughter and more serious conversation. Although e-mails are a great way to stay in touch, the face to face reunion each year for the past 23 years allows us to continue to share life experiences such as marriage, career transitions and having children.” After all these years, an easy yet comical mood still engulfs their relationships. Even though they “are 44 years old with adult responsibilities and careers,” Rowan mentions that, “we just howl with laughter when we see each other.”
As a great advocate for her band of college friends, Rowan also offers advice to current college students as she discloses that it is important to “stay in touch with your college friends too. They will know you better than anyone in 20 years.” Reflecting on the way in which her college years have impacted her present life, Rowan reasons that, “Emory University provided me with an amazing education and opened many doors for me. These friendships are an unexpected benefit of my time there.”
Graduation
What’s your Emory connection? Share it with us!
-Rasheika Martin 14C, EAA Communications Intern
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