The "work hard, play hard" motto at Penn, it seems, extends beyond the four years students spend on campus.
About 100 alumni rekindled their Penn pride at the annual First September event of the Penn Alumni Club of Philadelphia, held last night at the Triumph Brewing Company in Old City.
The event was mainly intended for Class of 2007 alumni, but "the club is not just for young alumni," said event chairman Ezra Billinkoff. "It goes beyond, open for people who are 22, 52, 77."
The Penn Alumni Club of Philadelphia is a nonprofit organization whose goals are "to bring alumni together, to connect alumni back to campus and, most importantly, to provide Penn alumni access to things in Philly that they might not otherwise have access to," said Alumni Club President and 2006 College alumnus Andrew Rosenthal.
In essence, the Club functions as a social organization that provides alumni a chance to expand their network and meet new people.
Started 15 years ago, the Club chapter had lost its cache over the years, but new board members and club leaders hope to see a resurgence in both interest and membership.
By expanding their member base through Facebook and e-mail listservs, the Penn Alumni Club's primary focus is to increase membership, which "has grown by 75 percent in the last 100 days," Rosenthal said.
Whether they came because of the "great opportunity to meet other Penn alumni," like board member Austin Labin, or because they wanted to "unite beyond Penn's campus," like chairwoman Alexis Ruby Howe, attendees enjoyed the appetizers, drinks and social activity.
Wanting to recapture "the sense of camaraderie that we felt at Penn," Billinkoff decided to stay involved after graduation to help keep his class connected.
"Life outside University City might even be better," said recent graduate Matt Carter, who said he stays a member of the Alumni Club "in order to maintain an allegiance and connection to the university."
With social events and community-service activities, the Penn Alumni Club has one message Rosenthal said: "Stay in Philly after graduation!"
The Club has a number of other events planned for the year. The next event will be held at local restaurant Rae. Participants will meet the chef while enjoying the company of Penn Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli.
*This article was edited at 3:27 a.m. on Oct. 9.
