Alumni

Hearts on the Hill

Stories You May Like

Student’s Playful Paintings Showcase the Hill as You’ve Never Seen It

We Heart the Hill: A Celebration of Beloved Campus Spots

Big (Red) Love: A Celebration of Cornellian Couples

In a Valentine’s Day photo tour, we showcase Cornellian couples on and around campus, captured by Cupid’s camera

By Lindsay Lennon

Marti Reisman Sheldon ’83 and Mark Sheldon, MS ’85, met in 1983 through a new dating service called Campus Connections—which, for $2.50, would match an aspiring Cornellian lovebird with a hand-picked potential mate.

“For that price, who could resist?” says Marti. “I picked up the paper application at the Straight and applied.”

It was just before Winter Break—and when she returned to campus in January, she had her match. Mark called her, and they arranged to meet at the Nines in Collegetown a few days later. They’re still together to this day—after 36 years of marriage.

If you had your own Big Red sweetheart—whether or not the romance became a life-long partnership—you may be feeling particularly nostalgic for the Hill this time of year. And what better way to celebrate than cozying up for a romantic photo tour of campus from the comfort of your loveseat?

Xinran “Elsa” Li, MEng ’14 & Fengyu Lu, MEng ’14 — Groom and bride Fengyu Lu, MEng ’14, and Xinran “Elsa” Li, MEng ’14, in the A.D. White Library.

Tonya Byard Engst ’89 & Adam Engst ’89 — Adam Engst ’89 and Tonya Byard Engst ’89 met on their first day of freshman year at a West Campus dance. As she recalls, she was wearing a miniskirt and polka-dot top with shoulder pads—on trend for the 1980s.

Mary Zakour Erdman ’87 & Stephen Erdman ’87 — Mary Zakour Erdman ’87 and Stephen Erdman ’87 didn’t meet until senior year while visiting a mutual friend on North Quarry Street. They got engaged the night before graduation. “Looking back, it seems crazy,” says Stephen. “But, 33 years later, I guess it was meant to be!”

Kaitlin Dufton '07, MPS '14 & Douglas Breckner ’01 — Kaitlin Dufton ’07, MPS ’14, and Douglas Breckner ’01 met after college and got married in Ithaca. Kaitlin was on the Big Red soccer team and met Douglas while playing the game in New York City, when her “Pi Phi is Gorges” shirt caught his eye.

Matthew Shortell ’17 & Miranda Deane ’17 — Miranda Deane ’17 and Matthew Shortell ’17 are getting married in June 2023. They’re one of three generations of Cornellian couples in her family, including her parents and grandparents.

Brian Peters ’96 & Theresa Lasbrey Peters ’98 — Theresa Lasbrey Peters ’98 and Brian Peters ’96 in front of Ujamaa Residential College during a recent Reunion of the Cornell Black Alumni Association.

Adam Czekanski ’98 & Wendi Lynn Czekanski ’99 — Wendi Lynn Czekanski ’99 and Adam Czekanski ’98, who both served in the Army after graduation, in the War Memorial at Reunion.

Tom Crone ’01, BS ’02 & Amy Galebach Crone ’01 — Tom Crone ’01, BS ’02, and Amy Galebach Crone ’01 in the Friedman Wrestling Center during a recent visit to campus. They’ve been married since 2005 and live on a small farm in Maryland.

Mike Basedow ’13 & Kate Eldredge Basedow ’13 — Mike Basedow ’13 and Kate Eldredge Basedow ’13 “survived being the 2012 saxophone section leaders,” says Kate, “and we are now married.”

Matthew Conte ’19, BA ’20 & Isabel Siergiej ’19, MEng ’20 — Matthew Conte ’19, BA ’20, and Isabel Siergiej ’19, MEng ’20 (seen here at Beebe Lake) met at a party when Matthew nervously tapped her on the shoulder and introduced himself. Little did they know, they lived on the same floor in High Rise 5.

Rebecca Sopchak Coatney ’08 & Tyler Coatney ’09, MEng ’10 — The romance between Tyler Coatney ’09, MEng ’10, and Rebecca Sopchak Coatney ’08 had musical beginnings in the Glee Club and Chorus.

Angela Cheng-Cimini ’92 & Michael Cimini ’92 — Michael Cimini ’92 and Angela Cheng-Cimini ’92 met as freshmen and married two years after graduation. Their Cornellian son and his fiancée also met freshman year—carrying on the tradition.

Evan Yetter ’16 & Alex Cesare ’15 — Evan Yetter ’16 and Alex Cesare ’15 (seen here at the War Memorial) connected through music: he was in the Glee Club and the Hangovers, and she was in the Chorus and the Chordials.

Jennifer West Chaloemtiarana ’90 & Thwen Chaloemtiarana ’90, with daughter Saijai Chaloemtiarana ’24 — Thwen Chaloemtiarana ’90 and Jennifer West Chaloemtiarana ’90 visiting Alpha Delta Phi with their daughter, Saijai Chaloemtiarana ’24—whom Thwen jokingly calls “one of the results of our 34 Valentine’s Days together.”

Ed Butler ’63, BEE ’64, MS ’65 & Nancy Taylor Butler ’64 — Nancy Taylor Butler ’64 and Ed Butler ’63, BEE ’64, MS ’65 (seen here on a path above the Suspension Bridge) met outside freshman registration in Barton Hall. As Nancy recalls, “He was a sophomore posing as a *Sun* reporter in order to collect freshman women’s names and addresses for invitations to a ‘freshman tea.’”

Jack Brennan, DVM ’52 & Mary Shear Brennan ’52 — Jack Brennan, DVM ’52, and Mary Shear Brennan ’52 (seen at a gathering at Alpha Psi veterinary fraternity) began dating in spring 1952 and were married that same year. They were together for 64 years before Mary’s death in 2017.

Neha Khanna, PhD ’98 & Eric Rosario ’91, BA ’10 — Neha Khanna, PhD ’98, and Eric Rosario ’91 met at a graduate student international dance party at the Big Red Barn in 1997.

Matt Bernard ’14 & Ashleigh Evans ’14, BS ’15 — Matt Bernard ’14 and Ashleigh Evans ’14, BS ’15, dated as students, went their separate ways after graduation, and found their way back together—getting engaged by McGraw Tower during an evening Chimes concert.

Catherine Lee ’10 & Michael Bennett ’10 — Catherine Lee ’10 and Michael Bennett ’10 got married at a winery about 40 minutes from Cornell—but still made time to stop by campus (including the War Memorial) for some photos.

Chuck Bechmann ’87 & Marlowe Scheyer Bechmann ’89 — Chuck Bechmann ’87 and Marlowe Scheyer Bechmann ’89 (seen here at Buttermilk Falls State Park) met in 1990 at a party at Chuck’s NYC apartment, where he lived with four other Big Red alumni. They were married five years later.

Bill Bailey ’53 & Jane Wight Bailey ’54 — Bill Bailey ’53 and Jane Wight Bailey ’54 met after Bill’s mother, Alice, dropped off laundry at her son’s fraternity and offered Jane a ride to class. Alice was impressed with the young woman and told her son to call her. They were married 66 years before Jane’s death in 2020.

Margo Sue Randall Bittner ’80 & James Bittner ’80 — James Bittner ’80 and Margo Sue Randall Bittner ’80 were married in Anabel Taylor before they graduated.

Ginger Larsen Ayres ’69, MPS ’75 & Herbert Ayres ’68, MS ’75 — Ginger Larsen Ayres ’69, MPS ’75, and Herbert Ayres ’68, MS ’75, in Ginger’s dorm (Clara Dickson), on their way to see Simon & Garfunkel perform at Barton Hall.

Tina Strasheim Atwell ’98, MILR ’00 & Andrew Atwell, PhD ’02 — Tina Strasheim Atwell ’98, MILR ’00, and Andrew Atwell, PhD ’02, got married in Sage Chapel and had their reception in the A.D. White House.

Mark Arnold ’88 & Marci Braunstein Arnold ’89 — Mark Arnold ’88 and Marci Braunstein Arnold ’89 (seen here at the Botanic Gardens overlook) met on Marci’s first day at Cornell: he was a sophomore orientation counselor helping to move students into U-Hall 2.

Adrienne McVicker Reing ’87 and Charles Reing ’86 with Minnie the Miniature Horse — Adrienne McVicker Reing ’87 and Charles Reing ’86 at Homecoming with the Vet College’s celebrity mascot, Minnie the miniature horse.

In advance of Valentine’s Day, we asked two-alumni couples to send us their favorite photos of themselves—recent or vintage, taken on campus or around the Ithaca area.

And … we were overwhelmed by the love! Not only did we receive photos of more than 200 alumni, but we had the pleasure of reading romantic tales from across the decades.

Some now-married couples were platonic for years before Cupid struck. Others were set up on blind dates by their roommates—or even their Cornellian parents. For at least a few, it was love at first sight.

Jill Hai ’85 & Marc Rubenstein ’86, JD ’89 — Jill Hai ’85 and Marc Rubenstein ’86, JD ’89, at Reunion.

Chad Potocky ’02, MEng ’04 & Rosemarie Fehrman Potocky ’06, MEng ’07 — Chad Potocky ’02, MEng ’04, and Rosemarie Fehrman Potocky ’06, MEng ’07, snapped this photo after Chad popped the question at the base of Ithaca Falls.

Natalie Parker ’20 & Jacob “Magnus” Hoglund ’20, BS ’22 — Natalie Parker ’20 and Jacob “Magnus” Hoglund ’20, BS ’22, have been together for four years; like many couples, they met through the Marching Band.

Owen Amadasun ’12 & Sheela George ’12 — Sheela George ’12 and Owen Amadasun ’12 met during Homecoming their senior year and kept in touch while attending medical school and law school, respectively. At Reunion ’22, Touchdown gave a paw of approval on their recent engagement. *(Noël Heaney / Cornell University)*

Kevin Yam ’91 & Amy Sachs Yam ’92, DVM ’98 — Kevin Yam ’91 and Amy Sachs Yam ’92, DVM ’98, were just friends in college, and would go to Greek formals together (as depicted in this photo). Their friendship turned into romance after graduation.

Phil Newfield ’63 & Nancy Guttman Newfield ’65 — Phil Newfield ’63 and Nancy Guttman Newfield ’65 (seen here at the Taughannock Falls overlook) married right after Nancy graduated. Two of their three children are Cornellians.

Emily Izenstein Algranati ’06 and Meg Crapster-Pregont Algranati ’08 (seen here on one of the Big Red athletic fields) met when Emily returned to campus to help coach rugby; Meg, then a junior, was team co-captain.

Jose Amador ’82, PhD ’90 & Maria Del Salto Amador ’84, MS ’85 — Jose Amador ’82, PhD ’90, and Maria Del Salto Amador ’84, MS ’85—who met on North Campus while waiting for a bus—are seen on a date at Ithaca’s now-defunct Station Restaurant.

Kyle Preston ’06, PhD ’11 & Dana Muir-Preston ’07, MPS ’09, DVM ’12 — Dana Muir-Preston ’07, MPS ’09, DVM ’12, and Kyle Preston ’06, PhD ’11 (seen here in Cascadilla Gorge) have been married since 2011.

Dianne Rosborne Meranus ’65 & Philip Meranus, JD ’66 — Set up on a blind date, Dianne Rosborne Meranus ’65 and Philip Meranus, JD ’66, have been married for 56 years. They have two children, 10 grandchildren, and two great-grandkids.

Linda Germaine-Miller ’71 & Joe Miller ’69 — Joe Miller ’69 and Linda Germaine-Miller ’71 met when Joe was a waiter at Linda’s sorority house. They’ve been married for 52 years and recently returned to campus for Linda’s “50th-plus-one” Reunion.

Victoria Rehkugler ’07 & Matthew Tittler ’05 — Victoria Rehkugler ’07 and Matthew Tittler ’05 pose for engagement photos on Schoellkopf Field.

Sarah Baldessari ’15, MPS ’16 & Geoff Keating ’16 — Geoff Keating ’16 and Sarah Baldessari ’15, MPS ’16, enjoy their first Dairy Bar ice cream sandwich as a married couple after their wedding at the Johnson Museum.

Gail Stoller Baer ’87 & Michael Baer ’88, MBA ’89 — Michael Baer ’88, MBA ’89, and Gail Stoller Baer ’87 were enrolled in the same game theory class, then became lab partners in engineering economics. The study sessions developed into romance.

Jeffrey Anbinder ’94 & Daina Schatz ’03 — Married alums Daina Schatz ’03 and Jeffrey Anbinder ’94 met in 2009, when they found themselves in the same Manhattan bar watching the Big Red play in the NCAA quarterfinals on TV. They started dating a month later.

David Aguirre ’05 & Alma Padilla ’05 — Lovebirds David Aguirre ’05 and Alma Padilla ’05, standing at the exact spot in Willard Straight Hall where they met sophomore year.

Sergio Preciado ’17 & Emily Frech Preciado ’17 — Emily Frech Preciado ’17 and Sergio Preciado ’17 “hope our children will grow up to be whoever they want to be,” says Emily, “but we're secretly hoping at least one of them will be in the Big Red Marching Band.”

Henry Green ’95, MEng ’96 & Maria Leal ’95, MEng ’98 — Henry Green ’95, MEng ’96, and Maria Leal ’95, MEng ’98, were big fans of the outdoor seating area at Oliver’s—a popular Collegetown haunt whose building has since been demolished.

Scott Gold ’90 & Jennifer Bitz Gold ’90 — Scott Gold ’90 and Jennifer Bitz Gold ’90 met freshman year, when Scott would come to High Rise 5 to visit his childhood friend—who was Jennifer‘s suitemate. “At our wedding in 1994, we entered the reception to a peppy big band version of ‘Far Above Cayuga's Waters,’” says Jennifer.

Tom Gilmour ’79 & Cindy Campbell Gilmour ’80 — Cindy Campbell Gilmour ’80 played piccolo in the Big Red Band; Tom Gilmour ’79 played baritone sax. They were married in Sage Chapel in 1980.

Sue Davis Frontero ’87 & Jim Frontero ’87 — Sue Davis Frontero ’87 and Jim “Shamus” Frontero ’87 had a “meet cute” near Schoellkopf Field: he was leaving football practice and she was on her way to play field hockey.

Laura Landauer Fritz ’89 & Ron Fritz ’89 — Laura Landauer Fritz ’89 and Ron Fritz ’89 ran track and cross country all four years at Cornell but didn’t discover each other until senior year. “We dated for 2.5 months and then impulsively got engaged,” says Laura, “but somehow it worked out better than you could hope.”

Paul Anbinder ’60 & Helen Rabinowitz Anbinder ’62, BS ’63 — Paul Anbinder ’60 and Helen Rabinowitz Anbinder ’62, BS ’63 (seen here outside her sorority, Delta Phi Epsilon) married in 1964 and had two Cornellian sons. Helen passed away in 2022.

Amy Lawrence Flueck ’91 & Alex Flueck ’91, PhD ’96 — Engineering classmates and future spouses Amy Lawrence Flueck ’91 and Alex Flueck ’91, PhD ’96, on their graduation day.

David Fischell ’75, PhD ’79 & Sarah Thole Fischell ’78, MEng ‘79 — David Fischell ’75, PhD ’79, and Sarah Thole Fischell ’78, MEng ’79, were members of the Marching Band—and would go on to become leading benefactors of the group’s campus facility, which opened in 2013.

Many met through academic pursuits—like Xinran “Elsa” Li, MEng ’14, and Fengyu Lu, MEng ’15, who were classmates in operations research and information engineering.

As Bri Rosen Griffin ’11 notes, she and Aaron Griffin ’10 “met in an organic chemistry lab—seriously.”

Some now-married couples were platonic for years before Cupid struck. For at least a few, it was love at first sight.

Tami Tiamfook-Morgan ’00 and Dwane Morgan ’02 met when Tami was assigned to tutor Dwane in Spanish at Uris Library.

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They stayed together after Tami graduated—and when she returned for Dwane’s graduation in 2002, he proposed to her by the clocktower during a Chimes concert.

Tami Tiamfook-Morgan ’00 & Dwane Morgan ’02 — Dwane Morgan ’02 and Tami Tiamfook-Morgan ’00 as undergrads on Olin Library terrace overlooking the Arts Quad.

Louis “Luigi” Widom ’16 & Emily Isenstein ’16 — Louis “Luigi” Widom ’16 and Emily Isenstein ’16 met in the Big Red Band. They had a Finger Lakes wedding, which—of course—included a performance by the band.

Kirsten Fowles Graham ’88 & Andrew Graham ’88 — Kirsten Fowles Graham ’88 and Andrew Graham ’88 were introduced by mutual friends the summer before senior year. When they married a few years later, those same friends would serve as best man and maid of honor.

Michelle Moyal, DVM ’07 & Morgan Dickens ’08 — Morgan Dickens ’08 met her wife, Michelle Moyal, DVM ’07, playing intramural basketball—but it wasn’t until they reconnected on Facebook years later that Moyal worked up the nerve to send Dickens an email.

Jennifer Wholey Lehman ’10 & Jacob Lehman ’06 — Jennifer Wholey Lehman ’10 and Jacob Lehman ’06 (pictured here at the Botanic Gardens) met in Ring of Steel, a theatrical stage combat group Jacob started. “It took a few years of friendship and crossed blades before we started dating in 2008,” says Jennifer.

Scott Wetzel ’01 & Caroline Curtin Wetzel ’99 — Caroline Curtin Wetzel ’99 and Scott Wetzel ’01 met during a Halloween “Trick or Treating for Canned Goods” service project; she was dressed as a stop sign and he as a fisherman.

Milford Warner ’46 & Ruth Mehlenbacher Warner ’47, BS ’46 — Ruth Mehlenbacher Warner ’47, BS ’46, and Milford Warner ’46, the first of three generations of Cornellians.

Christopher Deane ’83 & Barbara Warner Deane ’83 — Christopher Deane ’83 and Barbara Warner Deane ’83 were married the day before graduation.

Rishi Verma ’19 & Rosalie Ross ’19 — Rishi Verma ’19 and Rosalie Ross ’19 met as schoolkids in Ithaca. On the Hill, they discovered a shared love of Zelda games, long walks in the Botanic Gardens, and food.

Marti Reisman Sheldon ’83 & Mark Sheldon, MS ’85 — Marti Reisman Sheldon ’83 and Mark Sheldon, MS ’85, on Marti’s graduation day. (Mark is wearing a choral robe, not an academic gown.)

Snigdha Sharma ’18 & Brandon Smith ’19 — Brandon Smith ’19 and Snigdha Sharma ’18 met at Marching Band auditions in 2015. They both played for the horns section, and “the rest is history,” says Snigdha. They are now engaged.

Mark Sprague ’93 & Corey Ulrich Sprague ’93 — Corey Ulrich Sprague ’93 and Mark Sprague ’93 were friends all four years on the Hill and started dating a week before graduation. Their twins will be attending Cornell in fall 2023.

Mimi Morack Sauer ’55 & Len Sauer ’56 — This photo of Mimi Morack Sauer ’55 and Len Sauer ’56 was taken on Len’s graduation day in 1956; they were married a day later. (The puppy at their feet was a wedding gift.)

Rod Recker ’87, MS ’90 & Jennifer Sullivan Recker ’87 — Rod Recker ’87, MS ’90, and Jennifer Sullivan Recker ’87 have been married since 1994. They never miss a Reunion; here they are at Cascadilla Falls.

Julie Vargo ’82 & Chris Metz ’82, BA ’83 — Julie Vargo ’82 and Chris Metz ’82, BA ’83, dated as undergrads, broke up, married others, got divorced, and reconnected at their 30th Reunion. “Now, we go back to Reunions every year as an anniversary!” says Julie.

Ruthann Tocco Thorne ’97 & Marc Thorne ’97 — Marc Thorne ’97 and Ruthann Tocco Thorne ’97 were high school sweethearts. Their oldest child will matriculate on the Hill in fall 2023.

Betty Oshman Stratton ’56 and Dick Stratton ’55, MBA ’57, met in Ann Arbor, MI, where they had both traveled by train to see a Big Red vs. University of Michigan football game. They started dating upon their return to campus and have been married 66 years.

Erinn Gossett Stark ’90 & Kevin Stark ’91 — Marching Band clarinetists Kevin Stark ’91 and Erinn Gossett Stark ’90 (seen here dressed for a formal) got to play at NYC’s Carnegie Hall together as students.

Karen Broten Sieburgh ’73 & Jules Sieburgh ’72, MBA ’74 — Jules Sieburgh ’72, MBA ’74, and Karen Broten Sieburgh ’73 celebrate their 47th wedding anniversary over dinner at the student-run Establishment restaurant in Statler Hall.

Craig Pearson ’89 & Lisa Hamburg Pearson ’89 — Craig Pearson ’89 and Lisa Hamburg Pearson ’89 lived in the same building at Campus Hill Apartments sophomore year. They were married in 1994.

Melissa Hantman Pheterson ’01 & Joshua Pheterson ’01 — Joshua Pheterson ’01 and Melissa Hantman Pheterson ’01 knew each other casually during senior year and reconnected in 2006. They were married a year later.

JiaHe “Jay” Zhou, MEng ’16 & Yiyun “Rebecca” Han, MEng ’16 — JiaHe “Jay” Zhou, MEng ’16, and Yiyun “Rebecca” Han, MEng ’16, entered their ORIE master’s program at the same time, but “it didn’t hit when we were in school,” says Jay. They fell in love shortly after graduating and tied the knot in NYC.

Caroline Wellens Silver ’87 & Jeffrey Silver ’86 — Caroline Wellens Silver ’87 and Jeffrey Silver ’86 met during her freshman orientation. They shared their first kiss at Dunbar’s—but their next date had to wait a few months, as he unknowingly gave her mono.

Douglas Sheft ’57 & Carole Sahn Sheft ’59 — Douglas Sheft ’57 saw Carole Sahn Sheft ’59 from afar “and had a strange premonition that here was the woman that I would someday marry,” says Douglas. The couple (seen here in front of Sage Hall, her dorm) celebrate their 64th anniversary this year.

Sallyanne Mitchell Meier ’94 & Carl “Flip” Meier ’94 — Sallyanne Mitchell Meier ’94 and Carl “Flip” Meier ’94, who tied the knot in Sage Chapel, have been married for 32 years.

Greek formals and Slope Day have proven to be particularly fruitful spots for first dates with lasting results—and a certain ambulatory music group has spawned countless nuptials.

“We can count 14 Big Red Marching Band weddings this past year alone,” says Emily Frech Preciado ’17, who met Sergio Preciado ’17 while they were serving as the band’s drumline captain and drum major, respectively. “It would seem the cult-like environment of the BRMB fosters lifelong relationships.”

Bri Rosen Griffin ’11 & Aaron Griffin ’10 — Aaron Griffin ’10 and Bri Rosen Griffin ’11 stop by Baker Lab during their wedding day photo shoot.

Karla Sievers McManus ’84, BA ’85 & Don McManus ’84, MS ’85 — Karla Sievers McManus ’84, BA ’85, and Don McManus ’84, MS ’85, had their first date at the Nines. They love coming back for football games—and recently returned for the graduation of their daughter, Hannah McManus ’22.

Kamillah Knight ’13, MPA ’15, MBA ’22 & Stephan Spilkowitz ’10 — Stephan Spilkowitz ’10 and Kamillah Knight ’13, MPA ’15, MBA ’22, didn’t know each other at Cornell—but fell in love on the dance floor years later in NYC. In an interview for the *New York Times’* “Vows” section, Spilkowitz called their courtship “a mutual organic obsession.”

Ryan Larkin ’14 & Paige Kulling Larkin ’14 — Ryan Larkin ’14 pops the question to Paige Kulling Larkin ’14 by Beebe Lake. They were married at Sage Chapel one year later, with a reception at the Statler.

Joyce Barnett Klugherz ’63, MS Ed ’64 & Peter Klugherz ’62, BChemE ’63, PhD ’69 — Joyce Barnett Klugherz ’63, MS Ed ’64, and Peter Klugherz ’62, BChemE ’63, PhD ’69, were set up on a blind date during Orientation. “It was love at first sight,” says Joyce. The couple recently celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Susan McAvoy Owens ’02 & Mike Owens ’01, MEng ’01 — Susan McAvoy Owens ’02 and Mike Owens ’01, MEng ’01, love coming back to the Hill for Reunion with their children.

Judy Silverman Kaufman ’67 & Bill Kaufman ’65, BS ’66 — Judy Silverman Kaufman ’67 and Bill Kaufman ’65, BS ’66, met when he was working as a waiter at her sorority; after dinner, they sat and talked for hours. “We started dating a week later and never dated anyone else thereafter,” says Judy.

Carolyn Maskin ’16 & Benjamin Siper ’17 — Carolyn Maskin ’16 and Benjamin Siper ’17 (seen here at Homecoming) are still newlyweds, having tied the knot in April 2022.

Lauren Mangano Drenkard ’11 & Adam Mangano Drenkerd ’11 — Lauren Mangano Drenkard ’11 and Adam Mangano Drenkerd ’11 met at breakfast on the second day of classes freshman year. They were married at Sage Chapel in 2016.

Tom Malone ’87 & Cara Giarrusso Malone ’87 — While Tom Malone ’87 and Cara Giarrusso Malone ’87 had known each other since they were freshmen, they didn’t get together until senior year—when, he says, “the idea of not seeing her anymore made me realize what had been right in front of me for three and a half years.”

Robert Malina ’60 & Fran Michaels Malina ’60 — Robert Malina ’60 and Fran Michaels Malina ’60, looking chic in front of the A.D. White statue.

Anirudh Maddula ’20, BS ’19, MEng ’20 & Laasya Renganathan ’20, BS ’19, MEng ’20 — Anirudh Maddula ’20, BS ’19, MEng ’20, and Laasya Renganathan ’20, BS ’19, MEng ’20, in the Fischell Band Center.

Joon Lee ’96 & Kim Campbell Lee ’96 — Joon Lee ’96 and Kim Campbell Lee ’96 (seen here at the 2022 Homecoming game) started dating freshman year, when they lived on the same floor of High Rise 1.

Jennifer Leeds ’91 & Robert Hess ’91 — Jennifer Leeds ’91 and Robert Hess ’91 (seen smooching on the Suspension Bridge) met freshman year in biology class. Their firstborn, Tjaden Hess ’20—named after Tjaden Hall—also met his partner at Cornell.

Charlotte Kuo-Benitez ’93 & Kiko Benitez ’93 — Charlotte Kuo-Benitez ’93 and Kiko Benitez ’93 met freshman year at the Holland International Living Center. They were later married at the historic Rose Inn in nearby Lansing.

Paul Varga ’79 & Cynthia Kubas ’78 — Paul Varga ’79 and Cynthia Kubas ’78 stopped by Cascadilla Gorge in 2020. They’re also known to frequent Cornell’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Course.

Marsha Lampi Kowal, PhD ’17 & Daniel Kowal, PhD ’17 — Daniel Kowal, PhD ’17, and Marsha Lampi Kowal, PhD ’17, were introduced by a fellow student on a Finger Lakes wine tour. They had their wedding reception at Moakley House, two weeks before their PhD hooding ceremony.

Joan Pope Kokoska ’77 & Thomas Kokoska ’77 — Thomas Kokoska ’77 and Joan Pope Kokoska ’77 outside the Ithaca motel now known as the Meadow Court Inn during Homecoming weekend in 1980. They’ve been married for 40 years and still attend Big Red football games.

Laura Pearlman Kaufman ’89 & John Kaufman ’89 — John Kaufman ’89 and Laura Pearlman Kaufman ’89 “were in the same place at the same time and yet didn't really know each other,” says Laura. They connected through mutual friends after graduation and spent their first Valentine's Day weekend at the Statler.

Karen Jacowitz ’90 & Matt Craig ’90 — Matt Craig ’90 and Karen Jacowitz ’90 were married by the pond at the Botanic Gardens the year they graduated. “The weather held long enough for us to have the ceremony and take pictures outdoors,” says Karen, “but there was pouring rain later in the afternoon.”

Michael Iong ’96 & Mary Mui ’96 — Michael Iong ’96 and Mary Mui ’96 met junior year while working on *Parallax*, Cornell’s Asian American journal.

Ali Hoyt ’12 & Chad Wemischner ’13 — Hotelies Chad Wemischner ’13 and Ali Hoyt ’12 met through Hotel Ezra Cornell. They got engaged at the Botanic Gardens and were married in nearby Trumansburg.

Brad Herzog ’90 & Amy Hillsberg Herzog ’91 — Amy Hillsberg Herzog ’91 and Brad Herzog ’90 (seen here at Buttermilk Falls) were high school sweethearts in Illinois. (Their first date? Dinner at Bennigan’s and *The Color Purple*.) Brad left for Cornell, and Amy joined him a year later.

Brenda White Henriquez ’94 & David Henriquez ’92 — For David Henriquez ’92 and Brenda White Henriquez ’94, it was love at first sight. “I took one look at him and I knew we would be married,” says Brenda. “Unbeknownst to me at the time, he jotted my name down in his folder when the professor took roll call!”

Lindsey Williams ‘22, BA ’21 & Seth Henks ’21 — Lindsey Williams ’22, BA ’21, and Seth Henks ’21 fell in love exploring the Ithaca area: hiking at Taughannock, going on runs at Stewart Park, skiing at Greek Peak, and more. “Our favorite secret sunset spot is Hungerford Hill near the Baker Institute,” says Lindsey.

Wendi Rabiner Heinzelman ’95 & Steve Heinzelman ’95, MS ’96 — Steve Heinzelman ’95, MS ’96, and Wendi Rabiner Heinzelman ’95 met the first week of classes freshman year, when they had the same faculty advisor. Here they are at Slope Day.

Other couples connected only after graduation, taking a circuitous path to Big Red love.

“Despite Marc’s fraternity and my sorority being next-door neighbors, we don’t seem to have crossed paths as undergrads,” says Jill Hai ’85, who met husband Marc Rubenstein ’86, JD ’89, years later in Boston through far-flung Big Red connections. “All roads lead back to Cornell.”

(If you missed last year’s Valentine’s Day feature—in which a few of these couples also appeared—you can read it here. Have an idea for next year’s theme? Show our inbox some love!)

All images provided (unless otherwise indicated).

Published February 10, 2023

Comments

Laura Higgins Oalmer, Class of 1975
13 Feb, 2023

EE ‘75 BFA ‘75 💕🌈🥸🌈💕🌈🥸🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂

Reply
Carol Wiley Bossard, Class of 1964
14 Feb, 2023

We have three family weddings connected to Cornell (no photos, though). My eldest brother (20 years older) met his wife at Cornell and they were married in Sage Chapel.
I met my husband, Kermit, at Cornell at a square dance on the top floor of Warren Hall. We weren’t married on campus, but hold some great memories from our time there.
And our eldest son, Shawn, met his wife (after he graduated) at Cornell too. So Cornell is obviously a great match-maker!

Reply
Michael Rubin, Class of 1967
14 Feb, 2023

I met Margie (née Greenwald) the first night she was on campus in 1964. We dated thru our years at Cornell, married in 1968, and now, 54+ years and 2 children and 3 grandchildren later, are on a cruise to Antarctica, which will be our 7th and final continent visited. Sorry, no photos handy from our time at Cornell.

Reply
Dorothea Bamberger Aronson
14 Feb, 2023

Coming to Cornell for a weekend visit to reconnect with some friends turned out to be a life changer. On the spur of the moment,I stopped in at Hillel’s Friday night services. At the kiddush after, the Rabbi, knowing both of us, introduced us to each other. Raph, a mechanical engineer, had just joined the faculty. He offered to drive me to my friend’s house. The rest is history. In March, we hope to celebrate our 60th anniversary.
Dorothea Bamberger Aronson MA’59

Reply
Gail Allen, Class of 1986
14 Feb, 2023

I (Gail Schlussel Allen) met my husband Keith Allen ‘86 down at the gorge as a Sophmore. Friendship led to romance and we began dating senior year. We have now been married for 32 years. Our 3 children Sophie ‘15, Natalie and Ross ‘19 attended Cornell and Ross has been dating Vanessa Garcia ‘20 for several years now. Cornell is definitely a great place for romance! ♥️

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Oksana Yuzefovich, Class of 1998
14 Feb, 2023

I met my future husband (Yakov Shkolnikov, Engineering 1999) on a College Express Bus going from campus to Washington, D.C. for Thanksgiving break in 1995. We got married in 2000, and our older son is a freshman at Cornell now. We have many fond memories of Cornell!

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Marti Reisman Sheldon, Class of 1983
17 Feb, 2023

Good job at capturing our story in just a few short paragraphs — Marti Reisman Sheldon

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Henra S Briskin, Class of 1965
21 Feb, 2023

In 1964, when I was a senior living at Hasbrouck Apartments (the first seniors permitted to live in off-campus housing), my roommates met a group of 2nd-year law students living down the street. They helped us move some furniture and, in exchange, were invited for dinner. Dick Briskin was one of those students. We enjoyed a year of Cornell life together, before I went on to graduate school. Dick joined me in Boston after he graduated Cornell Law, and we both completed our masters in Boston before marrying in 1967. Our son, Seth,(1991) met his wife-to-be (1991)at Cornell as seniors and married a few years later. As for grandchildren, the first two did not choose Cornell. The tradition ended there, though our second son has two younger children. Maybe the story will continue!

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