It’s Homecoming Week and that means plenty of former Penn State students will be cruising through their old stomping grounds to relive the glory days of their youth.

Here’s a few reasons why those alumni are awesome:

10. They Might Buy You a Shot (or two)

They used to go here, so of course they visit their favorite bars when they’re back in town. And when you see them in the thick of it downtown, you might just strike up a convo about Dear Old State. That kind of camaraderie can only mean a few shotskies as the night rolls on. This is almost guaranteed if you’re at the Skeller.

9. They Still Know How to Party

The so called “real world” hasn’t stomped all over their free spirits. Weekends in Happy Valley are more like mini vacations for PSU alumni, so why shouldn’t they get their fill before it’s back to the grind?

8. They Tell Great Stories

Whether it be about an insane party, all night study session (without adderall), or the first days of THON, alumni love to tell stories about their time at Penn State. And since they have such an emotional connection to the time and place they’re describing, you can get really into them. History, baby.

7. They Keep it in the Family

The passion alumni have for Penn State becomes a part of their family. After years of hearing about Penn State, their children sometimes decide to continue their education here. Some of you reading are those kids.

6. They Have Amazing Tailgates

Some pull up in huge RVs. Some have a caravan full of old college chums. And some have the prime-time parking spots. Alumni are never shy about invites either.

5. They Are Everywhere

Once you become an alum, you start to realize just how far the Nittany Lion network extends. And with more than 560,000 alumni, there’s always a chance you’ll be interviewed by a former Lion.

4. They Go on to do Great Things

Paul Berg won a Nobel Prize in chemistry. Alumni have won medals in the Olympics, worked at high profile companies, and held many different jobs in the entertainment industry. And many go on to have long careers in what they studied at PSU. Just a football school…please.

3. They Teach Us

They just couldn’t leave, so now they teach here.

2. They Give Back

Donations. Scholarships. Alumni give all kinds of things back to a university that gave them fond memories and a solid education.

1. They Still Are Penn State

They continue to bleed blue and white, and that’s pretty cool.