Welch

Ernest Welch, Com 28, celebrated his 100th birthday with his college pals.

No, not the ones from 1928 — in 1999, the 93-year-old Welch earned a bachelor's degree in photography at Georgia State University.

Welch began taking pictures in World War II and made it a life-long hobby. In 1990, he enrolled in photography classes at Georgia State.

"I went back to school to learn," Welch said. "I hadn't really even considered earning a degree, but one day I realized I had so many photo courses, I might as well get one."

Welch was the guest of honor at a party hosted by his Georgia State classmates and professors.

"We had a good time," Welch said. "The president of the university, the dean of the art school and most of my professors and classmates came. I felt like I was 70."

Welch, who is the primary caretaker of his invalid 92-year-old sister, said he has only made two concessions to age.

"I'm still making pictures," he said, "but I can't lug that 45-pound view camera anymore — I use a digital. When I go to the garden club, I don't dig holes — I just listen."