AERA Reception Awards

Last night, instead of going out to eat, Nicole and I decided to work the reception circuit to get free food and “network” (if you define networking as standing in a corner, eating free food, and trying not to make eye contact with anyone who might suspect that you are not from their university).  Since I got a pretty good overview of these receptions in the process, I would like to give individual awards.

Best Overall-Michigan State University (not the bad guys, the other one)

They had decent food, a band (made up of faculty and alum) and at midnight the deans of the college perform a song (or so I heard).  Now, that’s school spirit.

Best Food- University of Wisconsin-Madison

They were the only ones with real food and it was Mexican!  I enjoyed some delicious nachos!  Oh, and they had good school spirit too.  They made us put the Wisconsin “W” on our name badges (and it was hard to get off later!).

Go Badgers!

Best Selection of Exotic Vegetables- The Ohio State University

Yes, it does say something that this is the only award we could earn, but they had crazy little mini squash things, okra, yellow beets and two kinds of mushrooms!  Nicole and I are taking over the organizing of this event for next year.

Most Boring- Harvard University

Duh.

Most Intimate- Purdue University

This just means it was small enough that we were afraid to sneak in.

Best Dessert- University of Maryland

They had gourmet cupcakes!  It’s a good thing it was the last one we went to.  I had to take a picture, they were so amazing!

Yummy!

Worst Overall- The Graduate Student Council

Wow.  There were ten people there, a DJ playing Gloria Estefan, and I found something rubbery in my bean and corn rollup thing.  Not good.

All the receptions are over now, but I can’t wait for next year!