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Douglas, '68, and Linda, '69, Smith

In October of 1966, my Alpha Chi Omega (AXO) sorority sister and Doug’s fraternity brother arranged for us to go on a blind date.

I lived in Beall Hall, and he lived in McDowell, which was very convenient. I remember meeting him in the lounge and watching movies. Of course, we were into the music scene downtown as well. We absolutely loved eating pizza at Montoni’s - greasy to the last bite!

The Proposal and Marriage

I don’t think there really was a proposal. It was just a certainty that we were going to get married. My engagement ring was his grandmother’s diamond, which made it extra special. We had a wonderful marriage for 37 years until his passing in December of 2005. I’ve never even thought of remarrying because Doug was “the one”.

How do you and your spouse stay connected to �Ը������� as alumni?

We lived in many states after marrying, but always followed KSU news. We were able to attend one homecoming when we lived in Detroit. I'm going to be meeting with 10 AXO sisters in May for a mini reunion.  

Scott, '96, and Laurie, '98, Liechty

Scott and I met while we both worked at the Campus Bus Service as drivers. 

I started to notice him while we would pass each other driving. A friend of mine from nursing school who also drove mentioned my name to Scott. I would schedule my shifts so I would take over his route when he was done and be his relief driver. We would see each other at the student center often. On a Friday afternoon, we were both driving the stadium route, and my bus pulled up behind his during a layover. He got out of his bus to talk to me and asked me on a date. For our wedding, instead of a limo, we had a decorated campus bus.

How do you and your spouse stay connected to �Ը������� as alumni?

My parents still live in Kent so we visit often. We have gone to sporting events as some of our close friends have children that play or played for Kent. We often go to dinner in Kent. I had absolutely the best time as a student at �Ը�������!  

Tyler, '17, M.S. ’21, and Brandan, '16, Boggs

My husband Brandan and I met in 2014 on campus by accident. 
We were in similar classes and had mutual friends but never ran into one another. One day, I was working on an architecture project, and Brandan was coming to hang out with our mutual friends at the place I lived. When we met, we instantly felt a connection and from that moment on, we’ve been inseparable. We spent A LOT of time together on campus since that moment, and we quickly became very close, almost like we knew each other from a past life. We dated while we went through school and later got engaged and married a few years after that. �Ը������� holds so many of our favorite memories we’ve had as a couple. From classes together, to a cup of coffee at Jazzman’s Cafe and all of the other food on campus, to events for PRIDE and Homecoming, too! We also come back from time to time to walk around campus with our dogs and reminisce about the memories we had in each building on campus. We’re so thankful to have met one another on campus, and we have �Ը������� to thank for that. We both graduated from our undergraduate degrees in Digital Sciences in 2017 and 2016 respectively. I then went back to school myself again from 2019 to 2021 for a master’s degree in User Experience Design.

The Proposal and Marriage

While our proposal and ceremony wasn’t on campus (but would have been amazing if it was), we got engaged in 2016, and Brandan used Teslas to propose to me as those were our favorite cars back then (we are avid car enthusiasts). We had a small ceremony in January of 2017 with family at our wedding, and we’ve been married ever since!

How do you and your spouse stay connected to �Ը������� as alumni?

We attend Homecoming and other events with alumni as we are able to while we live here in Cleveland. We also try to stay involved as we can with the LGBTQ+ community + organization from campus as well as they hold a special place in our hearts. 

Josh, '10, and Maria Cribbs

Oh man, how I met my wife. 
It was the annual Renaissance Ball at �Ը�������. The best dressed competition was going on at the time. It was the best dressed women, and I’m looking on stage, and I see this girl, who later became my wife. I didn't have the chance to talk to her though until I ran into Arica Kress, '03, my RA at the time, who was driving Maria home. They offered me a ride, and that was the first chance I had to speak to this girl. We went on a date, and eight months later, we got married.

The Proposal and Marriage

I proposed to her at my cousin’s wedding. I had to first ask my cousin if it was ok because I didn’t want to ruin her special day. She thought it was just the greatest idea to propose to my wife. So I put my wife on the spot and as soon as I came to her, she knew what I was doing. I got down on my knee, and she just couldn’t believe it and was in tears. Once I proposed to her, it was less than a month later that we were married. The mayor of Kent married us, and we got married on a pier, which we had run past every day together because we used to work out together.

How do you and your spouse stay connected to �Ը������� as alumni?

My wife and I stay connected by going back to Kent as much as possible - Homecoming, basketball games and doing events in Kent. During the Browns games, I go to Water Street Tavern. I try to introduce myself and to give my services if needed to the president to make it easier to connect with not just the community but the students at Kent. I try to lend my services wherever it’s needed, whether it is for a homecoming game appearance or camps. 

Larry, '71, ’73, M.Ed ’78, and Sandy, '75, Disbro

I checked meal tickets at Prentice Hall when Sandy came through my line wearing a Lakeland CC T-shirt. 
Lakeland is located in Mentor, Ohio, my hometown. I asked her if she was from Mentor. She was not, but we had several mutual friends, and we talked everyday when she came through my line. One thing led to another, and we became married Golden Flashes forever!

The Proposal and Marriage

I asked her Dad for Sandy’s hand, and he said “yes” if Sandy said “yes!” She did!

How do you and your spouse stay connected to �Ը������� as alumni?

We are both active members of the KSU Lake County Alumni Chapter, and we attend several KSU athletic events monthly! We are Flashes Forever!