To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we wanted to hear from our alumni about their Clarkson love stories! We have been overwhelmed with our response, and we wanted to share as many of them as possible.

Corrine (Higgins) Coleman ’13 and Ryan Coleman ’12

How did you meet?

Ryan spotted me in a C++ class and decided to sit next to me and strike up a conversation. I later learned that his friend bet him a case of beer to go sit next to the “pretty blonde.”

Memories at Clarkson

Ryan and I became friends almost instantly and would do our C++ homework together in Moore lounge, checking each other’s codes for mistakes. Years later, he told me that he had already taken C++ at his community college and aced it, but his credit didn’t transfer, so he had to retake it at Clarkson. He would get his code working and then purposely delete parts of it to have me “correct” it so he could have an excuse to spend time with me! The next year, we ended up in Electrical Engineering Junior Lab together and became lab partners, spending almost every waking hour trying to get our project to work and writing lab reports. We would go to his apartment to continue working on the reports when the lab closed since his apartment was quieter than my sorority house. We would order takeout and watch movies together when we needed a break from working on those reports. Ryan graduated a year before me, but he missed his Senior Week, so he came back to Clarkson for my Senior Week where we went to all of the events together and had a great time hanging out with many of our friends who were in my graduating class.

Memories after Clarkson

Ryan and I moved to San Diego, California after I graduated, and we explored many places out there since neither of us had ever been to the West Coast before. We took a Valentine’s Day weekend trip to Sonoma and went on a winery tour, we went horseback riding through the vineyards in Temecula on New Year’s Day, we visited Los Angeles a few times and saw the sights, and we explored San Diego. We got engaged back in NY while visiting friends and family for the holidays, but took our engagement pictures on the cliffs of La Jolla (we were both terrified getting up on the cliffs and laugh about it to this day!) We took a vacation to Kauai almost on a whim (we decided to go and booked it about 1 week before the trip). We moved back to NY two months before our wedding and drove across the country, visiting many national parks along the way. We got married in July 2016 and included a few nods to Clarkson in our décor, and we honeymooned in Ireland. We also traveled to Alaska in 2019. Travel has been a big part of our relationship since neither of us got to do it much when we were younger, and we love the memories we create together on the trips.

Where are you now?

We live in Saratoga Springs, NY with our two rescues, a Catahoula Leopard Dog and a Tabby Cat. We both work at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory as Electrical Engineers. I graduated with my M.S. in 2020 from Clarkson’s Capital Region Campus, and Ryan is currently working on his. We love to travel in our RV and have been focusing on more local/regional trips lately within NY state. Once it is safe to do so again, we plan to bring our RV to Potsdam for Reunion, which usually occurs on our anniversary weekend!

Dan Jones ’71 and Ennie Jones ’71

How did you meet?

Saw her at a freshman hockey game. She introduced herself in the Spring at the Triangle T-Bag.

Memories at Clarkson

AXP Vic Parties and Omega Delta Phi Spring Weekends.

Memories after Clarkson

Married 10/71; Two Sons and Five Grandsons. Lived in NE Ohio, Chicago area, and Charlotte, NC area. Many sailing vacations in the BVI and built cabin in NC Mountains.

Where are you now?

Living in Denver, NC.

Robert Smith ’72 and Nancy Howells

How did you meet?

In September 1968 I had just arrived at Clarkson College to begin the next phase of my life. It was an exciting time as the upperclassmen performed a ritual rite of passage called the Dragon Squad. They would harass Freshmen who were forced to wear yellow hats to be identified and singled out for “infractions” such as not reciting school history or the Alma Mater song properly – serious crimes that sent you to Dragon Court for appropriate punishment. This was done for about two weeks until the Freshmen Class rebelled and resisted. Across town was the State University of New York. A mixer dance was scheduled for Saturday, September 14th between Clarkson and SUNY. But how do you get a date when you know nobody? A few days before the dance a group of upperclassmen came through the dorms knocking on doors. They were selling for 50 cents the names and phone numbers of SUNY girls who had volunteered information about themselves. I laughed and said I would pass. As they went down the hall, I thought “Hey, what am I going to do on Saturday?” So I decided I would give it a try. The upperclassman offered several prospects. One was a highly rated blonde that attracted my attention but I decided I was not worthy of such a pick. Finally, a brunette came to my attention. She had a great personality, and was a former cheerleader. Only drawback was she was a smoker. I thought I would take a chance, paid my 50 cents and got her name and phone number. I called the number that night and explained the circumstances. Her name was Nancy. She was surprised by the call. She did not want to go out Saturday night until we went out prior to that on a double date with her roommate Mary. I agreed and our first date was scheduled for Friday, September 13th, 1968. I asked a guy I just met across the hall if he was interested in a double date on Friday. We went over to the dorm at SUNY to meet our dates. While waiting we noticed two anxious girls peeking through the glass entrance door. One was really good looking, the other was not. I told my friend from across the hall I probably got the not. I got the good one. We went on the date to the movie and arranged for both couples to go to the dance on Saturday. Nancy and I hit it off. Mary and my friend did not. To ditch her date Mary went into the restroom and stayed there forever hoping he would give up and leave. He did not. Nancy and I continued to see each other and developed a relationship.

Memories after Clarkson

Nancy and I got married on January 31, 1970. We have been together through a military and civilian career.

Where are you now?

We are retired now and live in Spotsylvania, Virginia, have 5 children, 2 grandchildren and one great grandchild. We just celebrated our 51st anniversary.

Michelle Rosinski ’05 and Nicholas Rosinski ’06

How did you meet?

Nick and I met at a get together in Woodstock. My roommate was dating one of his friends. I had been with him at other things before this but hadn’t really noticed him. This particular night we got to talking and his smile just melted my heart.

Memories at Clarkson

We were only there together for 2 weeks before I graduated. Those two weeks were so much fun, even though he kept saying he couldn’t hang out because he needed to study which I thought was an excuse. Turns out he was really studying! Then he borrowed his parents car to come back for my graduation and we decided to keep seeing each other.

Memories after Clarkson

We have kept in touch with so many of our Clarkson friends over the years. We have had so many get togethers with my bball girls and his woodstock guys. When we moved into our first house in MA we had a “Homecoming Party” and invited people to wear college swag. We had at least 10 people there representing Clarkson!

Where are you now?

We have since moved across the country to Colorado and have 2 beautiful children together. We are still in weekly contact with many of our Clarkson BFF’s!

Mathilda Chanakira ’17 and Michael Taylor ’17

How did you meet?

We met in the health sciences library while we were both full-time students at Clarkson University. I was in the OT program and Mike was in the PA program. Our love story began in the library and it’s also where Mike proposed during my graduation weekend.

Memories at Clarkson

Having drinks at Maxfields while listening to live music. The Haunted House hosted by the PA students. Driving to Ottawa for an impromptu weekend getaway. Hiking and weekend trips to the Adirondack Mountains.

Memories after Clarkson

Our amazing wedding in Orlando Florida, which was also a mini reunion for our OT and PA cohorts.

Where are you now?

Mathilda is an occupational therapist working in sub-acute rehabilitation and Mike is a physician assistant working in the Emergency Department. We live in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Chris Brekelmans ’06 and Lindsay (Conklin) Brekelmans ’06

How did you meet?

My roommate freshman year introduced us. We both lived in Reynold’s House.

Memories at Clarkson

We enjoyed almost our entire time at Clarkson together. We met at the beginning of our second semester freshman year. Chris came to Clarkson from London, Ontario to play on the hockey team and I came from a small town in central NY. We came to Clarkson with different goals in mind, but quickly fell in love on my 19th birthday when Chris trolled the freshmen dorms putting together a video montage of friends wishing me a happy birthday. We both loved our experience in the business program and Chris’ glory days are definitely those spent with his hockey teammates. Days were spent freezing walking to Snell and the Science Center, Subway at Cheel, and dreading an 8am class. Nights were spent at our favorite Potsdam eateries, like Angelos, Sergies, & Cantina. Weekends revolved around Chris’ hockey games. Home game weekends were so great at Cheel with the pep band and seeing Chris dressed up in his suit after each game. On away game weekends, I would anxiously await his return each Saturday night to hear how his games went. The school year together was always amazing and summers apart were difficult. Our senior year came and went so quickly, as Chris was captain of the hockey team and I studied abroad in England for the first semester. We made the most of our last semester at CU, and enjoyed every moment we could with friends. Every day since leaving Clarkson, we look back at our time there with appreciation & nostalgia.

Where are you now?

We got married in 2008 in Canastota, NY and moved to Canada. We now live in Delaware, Ontario (Canada) with our two kids. Christopher is 10 & Bayleigh is 9. Chris owns a construction company with his 2 brothers and I am a high school math teacher.

Bill Wright ’71 and Mary (Snell) Wright

How did you meet?

Met at the Arlington Bar Sept 1968. I was lucky and she consented to dance with me. The rest is history. We were married June 14 1969. I was 21 and Mary was 18 at the time.

Memories at Clarkson

Bill played hockey for the Knights. Went to the Final four in 1970 & 1971 we beat BU in the ECAC Tournament to go to the final four but the tournament committee met and decided to send BU because we upset BU. Very disappointing. It was very exciting to play against the top teams in the ECAC in Boston at the Gardens. Hockey was a big part of our years at Clarkson. Mary was attending SUNY Potsdam when we met, but transferred to SUNY Canton Nursing program so that we could both graduate at the same time. Our first child, Carrie, was born August 1970 (perfect planning so that school was not interrupted).

Memories after Clarkson

Graduated and went back to North Bay Ont. and attended Teachers College. Graduated in 1973 and was hired by North Bay Board of Education, taught Math and Science for 28 years, and retired in 2001. Mary started her Nursing career at the North Bay Hospital for 15 Years and after working as a Case Manager and later Manager of Client Services for Community Care Access Centre, taught nursing at Nipissing University and retired in 2012. We have two more children (Bill 1972 and Steve 1975). We have 9 grandchildren and are celebrating our 52nd wedding anniversary on June 14th this year. Covid 19 has curtailed our travels and we are staying close to home with our Golden Doodle, Taffy.

Where are you now?

We still live in North Bay on beautiful Lake Nipissing.

Kelley Hull ’20 and Mark Anastas ’20

How did you meet?

We met at the Clarkson picnic for incoming freshman students in the Syracuse area. We actually went to the same high school (Baldwinsville), but we didn’t really know each other then. After we met at the picnic, we stayed friends until senior year (even though Mark liked me from day one haha) before we realized that we both really liked each other!

Memories at Clarkson

We had some great memories at Clarkson! We both had very busy school schedules, so we would hang out together by going for runs around campus and in town in the evening. We wouldn’t miss a single day- even if we had to run in the below-zero icy/snowy weather! I have been a runner for many years, so I thought the bad weather was fun to run through. Mark on the other hand has never been a runner and did not always enjoy the weather haha, but he did it for me! We would also take car trips at midnight (after we both finished our homework and studying for the night), and we would drive my car around because my battery kept dying in the extreme cold. Unfortunately my car battery eventually completely died and I had to get it replaced, but we had some fun times driving around- it was like a new mini adventure everyday! We have many more memories at Clarkson- from movie nights, to frequently eating at Thai Cuisine and being the last ones in the restaurant every time because we lost track of time, and to having dance parties at the bars. We will always cherish these memories!

Memories after Clarkson

Unfortunately, Covid ended our senior year early. The rest of the semester was on zoom, and we did not have a graduation. But, we did get to quarantine together and we had a blast! We got to do a lot of hiking and adventuring to different waterfalls around New York, we attempted Tik Tok trends (and failed most of the time), we got to try some new recipes, we went to our first drive-in movie, we went apple and pumpkin picking, and we even dressed up as each others occupations for Halloween. We definitely turned a bad situation into something amazing!

Where are you now?

Mark and are both from the Syracuse area. He currently works at C&S companies as a civil engineer designer, and loves it! For the next two years, I (Kelley) am back in Potsdam to earn my master’s in physician assistant studies at Clarkson’s PA school. We are both very excited to make more memories here in Potsdam, and we are very grateful for all of our memories at Clarkson!

Gabrielle String ’11 and Steven Brindak ’11

How did you meet?

We were both living on the same floor (Hamlin 3) out freshman year but this isn’t actually where we became friends. Steve and his friends played a lot of hall sports and damaged a number of things that the whole floor ended up sharing the cost of and needless to say, Gabrielle was not impressed. During sophomore year we both lived in Moore House, had lots of classes together, and had large homework & study sessions. From there we became good friends outside of class as well, but it wasn’t until senior year when we started dating.

Memories at Clarkson

Our favorite Clarkson memory is when we, with the help of our friends, waged a prank war on each other junior year in the Woodstock apartments. It started when Gabrielle decided to prank her roommates while they were away and fill the entire apartment with balloons. A month later, the balloons were still kicking around Gabrielle’s apartment and she and her roommate Emmeline decided to move them to fill Steve’s apartment This was the start of an epic month long prank war that included secretly swapping keys and rearranging apartments, stealing furniture in the middle of the night, covering the floor of an entire apartment with Dixie cups full of soapy water, and putting a car up on blocks and removing all four tires. Ultimately, Steve won the prank war when he and three friends emptied Gabrielle’s ENTIRE apartment in 2 hours very late one night after a celebratory end of year party. While Gabrielle and her roommates slept, everything was emptied out and Steve left them with nothing but the kitchen table, a gallon of milk, a box of cereal, one set of car keys and a note wishing them luck on finding the rest of their belongings hidden around campus and the town of Potsdam.

Memories after Clarkson

After leaving Clarkson, Gabrielle moved to Boston for grad school and eventually convinced Steven to move there as well. We have a large network of college friends in the area that has made life after Clarkson rewarding. We put off getting married for quite some time as Gabrielle’s research evaluating humanitarian response programs often required long, challenging travel at a moment’s notice. When we finally got around to planning a wedding for last Summer, we had to postpone anyways due to COVID. As a way to bring some joy to an otherwise difficult year, we decided to secretly elope in the mountains last Fall on our 10 year anniversary. We couldn’t be happier with our choice and hope to be able to celebrate with our family and friends in the future.

Where are you now?

We are currently located in the Boston area. Gabrielle is a Research Assistant Professor at Tufts University in Environmental Engineering. Steven is a Water Systems Engineer at Millipore Sigma.

Bob Washer ’72 and Debbie Washer ’73

How did you meet?

In October 1971, my senior year, we met on a Blind Halloween Party Date.

Memories at Clarkson

Debbie was a junior at Potsdam State when we first met, and it didn’t take long after our first date to realize there was something special. Trips to the “Hut”, Ice Carnival, Hockey games, you name it we went there together.

Memories after Clarkson

I lived in Watertown and Debbie outside Syracuse in Liverpool, so we spent great times together that summer. I started working for Turner Construction in the Fall and she returned to State and did her student teaching in the Syracuse area the second semester her senior year. We were married in June 1973, and we lived in Wheeling, W Va where I was building a 550 bed hospital with Turner, and Debbie would later join me and teach First Grade at St Michael’s elementary school. One car, two jobs, you do the math….but we made it work.

Where are you now?

After 7 moves in 13 years, we arrived in Farmington Hills, Michigan, where we have lived since 1985. So here we are, 36 years later. Retired, with 3 grown, college educated children, 6 grandsons and a second house on a lake in Canadian Lakes, MI. I have been a one person consulting firm since 2015, mostly acting as the Owner’s Rep on several parish projects for the Archdiocese of Detroit. I stay actively involved with my Downtown Detroit Optimist Club and have been a Trustee for the past 12 years on the Michigan Architectural Foundation Board. Those with travel soccer games, track meets, baseball games, swim meets, cross country meets and giving fishing lessons, we stay busy….oh, living in Michigan also give me the chance to fire up the snow blower this time of year !

Andrew DeLeon ’14 and Megan Pollak ’16

How did you meet?

I first spotted Megan out at a Clarkson PT party but did not officially meet her until Maxfield’s one night.

Memories at Clarkson

Our first date was at The Club in Canton as this restaurant was in my background and we loved it. We spent a lot of time eating and also enjoyed the local Thai place and of course the Bagelry! Hockey games were a blast and mini road trips to Watertown and Vermont were very memorable. Our first Valentine’s Day together was spent in Burlington.

Memories after Clarkson

Megan traveled with and visited me a bunch as she studied for her boards and I was working travel PT. We got married in Pennsylvania in 2017 and my PT classmate, Lucas Gaspar, was our officiant. We have worked in Maryland the past 4 years and just re-located to Chicago to be with family. We recently got a pup named Cashew who is a 7 month old Cavapoo.

Where are you now?

Chicago!

Debbie Knaebel ’15 and Michael Knaebel

How did you meet?

Michael and I met through mutual Clarkson friends during my first semester at Clarkson in 2012.

Memories at Clarkson

He was taking classes and working at Clarkson at the time, so we’d see each other around a lot.

Memories after Clarkson

After I graduated, we started dating and married as now have two kiddos.

Where are you now?

We never left Clarkson! Debbie works for (Clarkson startup) LC Drives since 2015 and Michael continues to work for Clarkson OIT.

Chuck Durand ’76 and Mary (McMartin) Durand ’76

How did you meet?

Two of my friends from Delta Sigma Phi and my wife’s friend set us up at the Whiskey One. We met 45 years ago February 2nd on Groundhog Day. We celebrate that day every year.

Memories at Clarkson

There were only 24 women at Clarkson when I got there so we had to find them at Potsdam State. My wife went there.

Memories after Clarkson

We are still good friends with the fraternity brothers that introduced us and we are planning to get together soon.

Where are you now?

We live in Webster, New York a suburb of Rochester.

Jacob Muench ’16 and Rachel Janshego ’17

How did you meet?

We met through Rachel’s sister and Jake’s classmate, Becky, at her Riverside apartment in 2014.

Memories at Clarkson

We remained friends throughout the years, growing closer in 2015/2016 when we were living across the courtyard from one another in Woodstock. Rachel’s lasting memory from Clarkson is how Jake would always stop by her apartment before every break, just to say goodbye and see her off. Jake’s lasting memory from Clarkson is one of the first times they got to know each other, making small talk with Rachel in the line at the career fair; little did he know that years later they would be out in California, building a life together.

Memories after Clarkson

Our favorite post Clarkson memory would be when we went to adopt our rescue pup, Apollo! Apollo has brought so much joy to our lives, even helping his dad propose to the girl from across the Woodstock courtyard.

Where are you now?

We are currently living together in California with exciting careers at Lockheed Martin Skunkworks, and are set to be married March 2021.

Sara Cote ’19 and Matthew Whaley ’19

How did you meet?

Working a summer job in 2016 in NH, Matthew was home for the summer after his freshmen year and I was at a community college in NH. We fell in love over a camp fire on his family farm and have been together since, that was the summer of 2016. I then transferred up to Clarkson to be with him.

Memories at Clarkson

The first semester I transferred up there was a huge snowstorm and me and Matthew walked to class from the pit in the middle of a literal blizzard. I watched the heels of his boots to be able to follow him up the hill to the science center.

Memories after Clarkson

November of 2020 we got engaged surrounded by all our friends that we had made at Clarkson!

Where are you now?

Sara is waiting to hear from veterinary school and Matthew is an assistant plant manager in the capital region.

Alexis (Galaini) Hedgeland ’16 and Mark Hedgeland

How did you meet?

Mark & I met in undergrad at Bucknell University, but decided to pursue our graduate studies at Clarkson together. Over a year of our engagement was spent in the North Country getting our Master’s degrees while enjoying all the outdoor activities the area has to offer!

Memories at Clarkson

I was getting my MBA while Mark was getting his MS in Mechanical Engineering, so we had class/did our work on opposite ends of campus. We would meet in the middle for lunch and to talk about how our days were going. We built a great group of friends between the Engineering and Business schools. We also joined the Clarkson Dance Ensemble and performed a duet together in the Spring Showcase! We also adopted a pure-bred North Country Mutt named Maverick from the Potsdam Humane Society.

Memories after Clarkson

We got married in October 2017 with many fellow Clarkson grads in attendance, including Gene Messercola ’15 and Amelia (Brown) Jantzi ’16 who were in our wedding party and lent their musical talents for wedding ceremony!

Where are you now?

We live & work just outside of Philadelphia. Maverick, the PHS dog we adopted while at Clarkson, is now 6 years old and loves having us home all the time due to the pandemic.

Martha (Marshall) Andocs ’05 and Edward Andocs ’05

How did you meet?

We were introduced at WCKN 1st semester at the intro gathering. Ed’s friend was a member as well as my sister. I instantly liked Ed and we became friends. Fast forward to 2nd semester and he would tell me about this girl he liked (not me!) I started to tutor him in physics and we became closer. One day my computer crashed right before a large paper was due (Windows ME ugh!) and he was able to retrieve my paper. Started dating soon after 🙂

Memories at Clarkson

So many! Spent so many hours in Cheel televising the hockey games or watching them in the student section. Hours walking/biking the nature trails on campus during the summer spent working at Clarkson. Overall hanging out around campus either with just each other or with friends.

Memories after Clarkson

Married a few years after graduating with many fellow Clarkson alum in attendance. What a great party!! Been together since March 2002 and still going strong.

Where are you now?

Living in CNY with our wonderful fur babies.

Sarah Clapp ’15 and Liam Clapp ’15

How did you meet?

Liam and I met our junior year. I was lending a text book to his suite mate in the new dorms. I met his dad and younger brother and helped Liam move in. I was living in Riverside and invited him over for dinner (I made my mom’s mac & cheese recipe). We would meet up for lunchtime open skate at Cheel and started dating less than a month after we met.

Memories at Clarkson

Ice skating, attending hockey games, going to Ottawa for Winterlude, eating at Eben’s Hearth, Bagelry, blowing up fuses on Liam’s Toyoda Highlander after buying the wrong (polar reversed) battery. I introduced Liam to hiking the Adirondack High Peaks, our first one together was Whiteface. Disney World spring break 2015.

Memories after Clarkson

Trip to Costa Rica after graduation in 2015. Bought our first home in 2017. Married in Lake Placid in 2019. First born son, Nicholas James, 7/28/2020 Every year (except this 2021 year!) have gone to Clarkson for a hockey game then up to Ottawa to attend Winterlude, which we have been attending since before graduation. Continuing to hike the ADK High Peaks (32/46 hiked).

Where are you now?

Living in Rutland, VT, both working for GE Aviation.

J. Michael Floyd ’01 and Eowyn (Rohrer) Floyd ’00

How did you meet?

Clarkson Theater Company was doing their spring One Act festival, February of 1997. We were both involved. I was an actor. He was on the tech crew. It was love at first sight on his part but it took me a few semesters to catch up.

Memories at Clarkson

So many hours spent in the theatre. Study groups together that lasted past midnight. Having James Bond marathons during finals week. The frigid cold and then the great celebration of spring…we were always so happy to get outside and feel warm!

Memories after Clarkson

Dropping our oldest off this past fall semester at Clarkson for his freshman year of college. I swear those trees outside the freshman dorms were newly planted when we were freshman.

Where are you now?

Connecticut.

Jeffrey Kolpa ’95 and Rebecca Kolpa ’96

How did you meet?

We met in class- Organizational Behavior… he asked if I needed a ride back up to campus, but did I want to stop for coffee…?

Memories at Clarkson

We spent a lot of time at Raquette River Roasters, at TEP, McDuffs and hiking. We also went to a few hockey games together. While we were dating we went to see Clarkson play against Princeton. He had told his mom what an avid spectator I was. Pots & Pans in hand in the middle of the Princeton cheer section…. you can say I made an impression on my future mother in law.

Memories After Clarkson

Jeff graduated in 1995, I graduated in 1996 and we were married in 1997. We have lived in NJ, MA, VA and back to NJ. We have four children and we still love to spend time together after all these years!

Elena Kuo-LeBlanc ’11 and Francis Dayamba ’11

How did you meet?

Francis & I met at an open house our sophomore year at Clarkson through a mutual friend. We became closer friends over that year and started dating in the spring.

Memories at Clarkson

We were both athletes at Clarkson, so we would go to the gym to try to compete with the other in their sport. I was a swimmer and he was a soccer player, but also like playing basket ball. One of my favorite memories was winter of our junior year. He did a co-op so didn’t see each other much. But towards the end of the semester he came to Clarkson to visit and surprised me at my apartment at Riverside.

Memories after Clarkson

Francis and I love to travel we’ve gone to London to watch an Arsenal game and Burkina Faso to pet crocodiles among many other adventures. The most exciting and recent memory we have post-Clarkson, is we decided to get married this year. So on 1/17/2021 we tied the knot in a safe, COVID-friendly wedding with just our parents. We wish we could’ve celebrated with more loved ones, but it was amazing and we’re both happy we were able to do something exciting in these strange times.

Where are you now?

We both live in Chicago, IL surviving the cold winters (like Potsdam) but love the liveliness in the summers.

Christa Marshall (Rideout) ’06 and Norm Marshall ’06

How did you meet?

We actually met at the weekend for accepted students, but of course I was too star struck to remember that. What I’ll never forget was this devastatingly cute, beaming girl in a peasant top and a purple bandana marching right up to me on the Honors Program orientation day and and announcing, “Hi! I’m Christa with a ‘CH’!” I think I knew even then that she was the only one for me.

Where are you now?

We’ve lived in Chicago, IL and Richmond, VA, but we recently moved home to Rochester, NY to raise our two beautiful sons.

Emily McGraw ’19 and Zachary Coffin ’19

How did you meet?

We knew each other in high school. When I transferred to Clarkson, we became closer friends as we were both housed in Moore House.

Memories at Clarkson

We would go to the Late Knight movies every Friday followed by a late night trip to Walmart. Meeting up every night at the Servery for dinner. First date was the Crew Team’s formal during our senior year

Memories after Clarkson

We traveled to Ireland together following graduation.

Where are you now?

We moved in together almost 2 years ago. I finished my Master’s in Forensic Accounting and I’m currently pursuing my CPA license. Zack is finishing his Master’s in Cybersecurity.

Patrick Meaney ’86 and Susan Lasselle ’87

How did you meet?

We met in one of the common areas when Sue was visiting some friends in Pat’s co-ed dorm.

Memories at Clarkson

We became very close friends and our friendship continues to grow. We shared many nice times studying, playing late night card games, traveling to Canada, and sharing rides back and forth home. We were engaged in February, 1986 and got married in June, 1987.

Memories after Clarkson

For several years now, we travel up to Troy to watch the annual Clarkson vs. RPI Hockey game (with a whole group from IBM). Sue made some Green ad Gold Scarves and Hats that we wear along with our other Clarkson gear as we cheer on our Alma Mater! Let’s Go Tech!

Where are you now?

Poughkeepsie, New York

Bridget Murray ’10 and Robert Cully ’10

How did you meet?

We met while in the Clarkson Pep Band! He was the conductor, I was a shy trombone player who always thought he was cute. We got to know each other more and more and the rest is history!

Memories at Clarkson

Road trips all over the Northeast for hockey games, Club 99, Riverside memories.

Memories after Clarkson

We married a year after graduating and are expecting our first baby any day now!

Where are you now?

We live in Clifton Park, NY near Saratoga and Albany.

John Riegel ’77 and Barbara Riegel ’77

How did you meet?

We meet at Ice Carnival committee meetings. We were both chairman Barb Calvacade and me Ice Skating event at Walker Arena.

Memories at Clarkson

All great memories, met the love of my life, great friends, played Lacosse and graduated to take over my fathers construction business. Still working and my son Patrick has taken over for me.

Memories after Clarkson

Stayed in touch with all of our friends, moved to Syracuse got married and had five children. All our kids are married and we have 14 grandchildren.

Where are you now?

We live in Delmar, NY., with our children and grandchildren.

Gary Smetana ’66 and Sharon Smith

How did you meet?

When I finished my Fluid Mechanics final exam (Jan. 1965), I went to “The R” (aka “Tudor Room”) at Noon, to relax & celebrate with my O-Pi-O brothers. I met Sharon at 6PM. Hit it off nicely, and big.

Memories at Clarkson

The O-Pi-O parties were great !

Memories after Clarkson

Received BSEE and married July 1966 in Victor, NY. We moved into an apartment in Vestal, NY. Sharon started her teaching position, and I joined IBM Owego.

Where are you?

Together now 53 years. Three children & 1 grandchild.

Gilbert (Buz) Stewart ’70 and Carol Wendt ’71

How did you meet?

In 1967, girls who were accepted at Clarkson were invited to spend a weekend on campus in the spring before their freshman year. I suppose it was to help us understand what it would be like when living in a fishbowl with only 26 other women on campus. The girls at Holcroft took me to supper at the Ross-Brooks dining hall and Buz joined us for dinner. He apparently liked what he saw, because he arranged with them (not me) to meet me (pick me up, as he tells it) later at the R. I was impressed that night, and made sure to look him up when I got back to Clarkson in the fall. The rest is history …

Memories at Clarkson

We dated all through our years together at Clarkson–CUB movies and 50 cent beers at Woodstock Lodge, traveling to NYC and Boston as the Pep Band followed the hockey team, Friday night study dates at SUNY Potsdam because they had a newer library with study carrels, not like Clarkson’s old downtown library. Ice Carnival, Holcroft’s TV Lounge and date lounge with the Christmas tree and a fireplace as the only lighting. Lots and lots of wonderful memories.

Memories after Clarkson

At one point we both worked for the same company. I was moved from one project to another and he was assigned to take over for me. His only comment was, “Not only do I clean up after her at home, now I clean up after her at work, too.” Actually, I think he did that job better than I did.

Where are you now?

Buz and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary (quietly) in December 2020. We have two daughters and 5 of the world’s best grandchildren. And even though we’re not young any more, we are both still working because we love what we do. Thanks, Clarkson, for a solid foundation to build on.

Chris Talbot ’10 and Story Elliott ’10

How did you meet?

We both lived on Ham 3 freshman year.

Memories at Clarkson

We had the same close-knit group of friends from our freshman year and continued to be close for the rest of our time in Potsdam. Story and I started dating spring of sophomore year and the rest is history!

Memories after Clarkson

We got married in summer of 2016 in the Catskills with many Clarkson friends present. We were very fortunate to attending many Clarkson weddings between our graduation and the pandemic.

Where are you now?

We are both physicians in residency in New Jersey. Story is in her third and final year of family medicine residency and Chris is in his fourth year of neurosurgical training. We live with our soon-to-be 12-year-old Siberian husky, Freyja, and are expecting our first baby April 1, 2020!