#SpartanSweethearts Submissions 2021
Everyone loves a good love story. But the fact that all of our 2021 Spartan Sweethearts met each other while attending UNCG makes these even sweeter. Get to know all of our recent submissions as we head into Valentine's Day — and submit yours by emailing alumni@uncg.edu if you haven't yet!
Our four 2021 winners are listed at the top; otherwise submissions are listed in the order in which they were received.
2021 WINNER: Kristy Leung '95 and Andy Leung '95
My husband, Andy and I met in Grogan Hall in 1991. He was a friend of a friend and I thought he was the cutest and funniest guy I’d ever met. So many wonderful UNCG memories, like sneaking a kiss between class and long walks around campus. Andy’s family owned the Hong Kong House on Tate Street for nearly 30 years. For our wedding rehearsal dinner, they closed part of Tate Street for our festival-like celebration. We had Chinese lion dancers, a hula dancer, a mariachi band, decorations from local artists, fireworks and of course all of our UNCG friends. We’ve been married 23 years and not a day goes by that he doesn’t make me laugh. UNCG is the reason I met my soulmate and we have two amazing children. He’ll always be my Spartan sweetheart.
2021 WINNER: Kristen McKillop '09 and Ian McKillop '09
UNCG has been the theme of our love story from the beginning. Ian and I met in the basement of Cone in 2006, our freshman year of college. It started out with Ian throwing a UNCG promo ball at me to get my attention, to our first date at Taylor theater, to a scavenger hunt around the campus on a cold rainy night where Ian ended up proposing to me on the swings beneath Minerva. Our favorite dates have always been UNCG basketball games and to this day we continue to attend games- our favorite being the SOCON tournament where we stormed the court after we won! Our two daughters were brought home from the hospital in UNCG onesies, just to make sure they knew McKillop blood is BLUE & GOLD!
2021 WINNER: Trishadee Newlin '96 and Bob Newlin '97
Once upon a time, in a land called Greensboro, there existed a small kingdom, UNCG. The kingdom was modest, full of history and character and it hosted an excellent School of Music, where musicians from all over came to hone their skills. Two such musicians were Trishadee (B.M.E., Music Education '96) and Bob (B.M., Music Performance '97). While they resided near one another in the Houses of Guilford and Mary Foust, they only crossed paths during Concert Band or Horn Ensemble rehearsals. One fateful Friday, in Ye Olde Brass Shack, Trishadee asked Bob if he would like to accompany her and some friends on an outing over the weekend. He quickly agreed, thinking it was quite an honor to be invited by a junior, as he was just a freshman. Little did he know that she was actually his age, but had just graduated high school early. There was an instant connection during their outing, and they ended up chatting and strolling all over the kingdom til the sun came up over the golf course. Trishadee thought to herself that surely he would ask to see her again. Bob, however, still thought that she was much older and therefore refrained from asking. Weeks went by, and while the two young Spartans became close, spending their practice breaks together on the 3rd floor of the Brown Music Building, Bob dared not ask Trishadee for another date. Finally, Trishadee threw caution to the wind and confessed her feelings to him. He revealed his own feelings and explained why he hadnt asked her out again, and the two began their long relationship of love and miscommunications.
Trishadee graduated from UNCG in '96, and left Greensboro to begin her teaching career. At that point, they had been together for some years, and this time, Bob did not wait for her to make the next move. When she came to town to see him after one of his concerts, he, in his finest concert attire, took her for a walk around their old kingdom, reminiscing about their time at UNCG and speculating about what was to come in the future. When he led her up the hill from the dining hall, Trishadee had spotted her own name on the Rock, a place where she had, over the years, watched many young lovers profess their love for all to see. Only this time it was her name. With a marriage proposal. With tears of joy in her eyes, Trishadee turned to Bob, who was down on one knee, waiting for an answer. The Spartan musicians were married less than a year later, in Greensboro, of course.
The tale does not end there, however! Bob graduated that next year in '97, and accepted a opportunity to serve in the US Air Force as a musician, and over the next 24 years they traveled the world, performing for people in lands near and far. But their hearts always found their way back to UNCG. Trishadee had worked at the UNCG Summer Music Camp since '92, and whenever possible, she still returns for those magical weeks in July. The couple now has two children, William and Sebastian, musicians as well. When they came of age, they too joined the bands at SMC. And just this year, Sebastian followed in the family legacy and began his freshman year at UNCG (B.A., Drama).
Many things change over time. The Kingdom of UNCG has expanded, Ye Olde Brass Shack is gone, and there is a wonderful new music building now that musicians seek out for training. The Houses of Guilford and Mary Foust still stand, but they now have air conditioning. This year, Bob will retire from the US Air Force, after 24 years. Where will life take him and Trishadee? That is anyone's guess. But the Rock's still there, and so is their love. And every once in a while, you'll still find our young Spartan musicians strolling the grounds, ever grateful for the place that brought them together.
2021 WINNER: Caitlin Bailey '12 and Jarrett Bailey '12
We met on the first day of class freshman year. I was running late to class in the MHRA and the only open seat was beside Jarrett. The next two years were full of taking all the same classes, Jackson Library study dates, and becoming the best of friends. Jarrett asked me to be his girlfriend in 2010 and the rest is history. We have been married for over 6 years and have two beautiful children. We credit UNCG with the assist for this match made in heaven.
Melissa Capozio Jones '14, '19 MLIS and Cody Jones '15
My husband, Cody, and I officially met ten years ago this March! We were both in the UNCG pep band but had never really interacted until spring break 2011 when we went to Chattanooga, TN with our men’s and women’s basketball teams for the SOCON tournament. It was definitely not love at first sight, but we became very good friends and after three years of back and forth, finally started dating. We joke that it’s all thanks to Dr. Dennis Askew, our pep band director at the time (he absolutely got an invite to the wedding). Going to the SOCON tournament every year has become a tradition for us, and we hope to return again in the future. Until then we always make sure to cheer on our Spartans from afar. Who knew pep band could be fun AND help you find your significant other?
Anna Cowan Hoyt '11 & Dom (Dominique) Hoyt '10
We knew each other for years from Public Health classes and from working at the campus gym. He asked me to get coffee with him at Tate Street Coffee after our Public Health Eta Sigma Gamma Honors program meeting. Friendship turned into forever! We have two little ones and are still drinking LOTS of coffee together.
Juan Santos '12 and Elizabeth Santos '12
Sending some love out to my wife and appreciation to @UNCG for being the place that started our journey. We met, oh not too many years back in the UNCG office of student leadership. She accepted me back then way before my beard game came into play. Together we took amazing service relief trips helping places in New Orleans recover after Hurricane Katrina.
Jacqueline DeBrew '91, '96, '08 and Clint DeBrew '91
How it started: Sorority dance….flowers from the Corner Store…..lunch at Yum Yum’s……Sour Patch Kids from the candy counter in EUC.
How it’s going: Celebrating 32 sweet, simple Valentine's as Spartan Sweethearts
Michele Saverin '98 and Justin Saverin
I met my Spartan Sweetheart on the evening of October 29, 1994 at UNCG. My fraternity, Sig Ep, was preparing a Bourbon Street float for the homecoming parade down College Ave that we were painting with the Phi Mu's. It was bitterly cold and I said to the ladies that I was handing out hot chocolate to everybody, "and a pair of mittens for you" to a girl I just met, my future wife, Michele Menzel Saverin '98 B.S. Deaf Education. While we sipped cocoa, I listened to her speak about her degree path, being from Charlotte, growing up with Marine Corps brothers who had Motley Crue posters on the wall, just like mine did. She talked about being a homecoming queen, I thought "she's probably a Debbie Gibson fan too" and then Ozzy Osbourne came on the radio. She put up the "horns" and sang bars to 'Crazy Train'. I instantly liked this girl and thought "we could be good friends". Well, the next day, we had a homecoming cookout and she showed up with her sisters dressed to the nines in a burgundy dress with gold buttons, and I was blown away. My brothers said, "that girl is totally cool and she's into you, if you mess this up you're unforgivable." I wasn't looking for love, but it found me and I was hooked. We dated for 5 years across many long distances, got married in '99, been married for 21 years, proud parents to two daughters. She is my best friend, the one who makes me laugh out loud and we still sing 'Crazy Train' while our kids face-palm.
Jill Hubbard Touchberry '83 and Scott Touchberry '83
Scott and I met as freshmen in 1979, we knew each other through Student Government and Sig Tau. We did not date until I moved to Raleigh to attend MPA school at NCSU. Then the magic started. We were married June 1985, still dancing after all these years.
Kaitlyn Runion '16 and Zachary Sherman '16
We have been together for almost 7 years, and it’s all thanks to UNCG! We met through a mutual friend in Jackson library. We were supposed to be studying for exams, and all we did was talk and get to know each other more. After meeting, we started running into each other all over campus and spent many lunches and dinners in the caf together. We dated long distance while we both studied abroad in different semesters, but we continued to develop our relationship. Our senior year we ended up having classes together, and were always together on campus. UNCG is at the heart of our love and we wouldn’t have found each other if it wasn’t for that April 2014 night in Jackson Library. :) we are now planning to get married in January of 2022, and are still so proud to be Spartans, and Spartan sweethearts! :)
Sherrell Gales '16 and Brent Forsythe '12, '16 MBA
Love is in the air! Who ever thought meeting your best friend at UNCG would lead to walking down the aisle and celebrating at our Alumni House. • Graduating from UNCG to fun-filled adventures with Rosie Mae, and exploring all that Greensboro has to offer I wouldn’t want to do this journey with anyone else.
Kirsten Carter '08 and Ryan Carter '08
In June 2004, I attended the Freshman orientation at UNCG. After the initial check in, I hopped on the shuttle on my way to check into the dorms. While on the shuttle bus, I spotted Ryan. In my head I was like, “who is that guy? He’s a cutie”. I was hoping we’d end up at the same dorm so we could meet. Well, low and behold, we got dropped off at the same dorm. Lucky me! Ryan got off the bus before me and once it was my turn to get off, I ran to my room and prayed he wouldn’t leave before I made it back down. Once I got to the lobby area, I saw him and apparently he saw me too because he started walking slowly. It was time to shoot my shot! I quickly caught up to him and introduced myself. For the entire weekend, I was stuck on him like white on rice. I basically held him hostage haha but he didn’t seem to mind. After orientation, I realized we never exchanged information so I took matters into my own hands. I found his email on the school’s website and tracked him down on AOL instant messenger. Yeah, when I want something, I go after it. Hehe. We started talking for a bit after that and then lost touch. Fast forward to moving on campus. I was so excited to finally be on my own, so after my parents left, it was time to turn up at the freshman party! Well, I was secretly hoping to see Ryan at the party but he wasn’t there. My roommate and I left the party to walk around the campus. We ended up at Cone and waited on the elevator to go upstairs. The elevator opened and to my amazement, it was Ryan! Was it fate? I think so. Ryan and I reconnected that evening and two months later we become a couple. Ryan and I dated all 4 years at UNCG but broke up shortly after we graduated. 7 years later in 2015, we reconnected after an unfortunate event in his life. I moved to be closer to him in 2016 and we married in October of 2017. Now, we are expecting our first baby in the spring. Thank you UNCG for bringing us together!
Sarah Lawing '06 and Matthew Lawing '06
My husband, Matthew, and I met in 2002 in the School of Music. He was a sophomore studying voice and music education, I was a freshman clarinet major. We started studying for music history and theory together (he claims he just wanted to study with the smart girl). We became fast friends, which led to romance, and after about 6 months of convincing him to be mine, he finally agreed to make it official on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2003. The first photo is the first picture of us together as a couple, taken in the garden behind the School of Music, and the other pictures (one with our 2 daughters) are from the exact same spot this past Christmas, 2020, where we gathered to open Christmas presents with my mom, and my sister (also a UNCG SOM alum) and her family. Great memories!
Allen Rogers '05, '16 MS and Amy Fargo '15, '21 DNP
Amy and I meet in 2004 when I was living in an apartment above Tate Street coffee. Our first date was actually on Valentines Day, she called me and asked if I would like to lose at bowling. Little did I know that she was quite the experienced bowler and I indeed lose the game but I won when I accepted that invitation. We have been together for 16 years on Valentine's Day and are in our 8th year of marriage. We did our engagement photos on campus since it is such a special place for us.
Aubrey Calhoun '79 & Linda Harill Calhoun '79
Linda Harrill and I met in the fall of 1977 in Microbiology class taught by Dr Robert Cannon and Mrs Sands. Linda was a Medical Technology major and I was a Chemistry and Biology major. By chance in the micro lab, I was on the same bench as she was in the laboratory and fortunately, her lab partner dropped the class as did a student further down the lab bench and I became her lab partner. I went by her dorm, Mendenhall, the night before an exam at 9:15 pm to “ask her a lab question,” and went to the lobby to have her paged. Males couldn’t go in the dorm except for special hours and her roommate came to the lobby to tell me she was already asleep. Who goes to bed at 9:15 before an exam??? It took me til October to get enough nerve to ask her out during lab. That weekend, we went to a play on campus, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” We kept dating and got married after graduation 8/5/2019. We now have 3 adult children, 2 of which are getting married this year. She remains the love of my life! I really do appreciate the 2 people dropping micro that fall, or we would never have become partners!!
Kendra Martin '83 and Fred Martin III '83
My husband and I met 2nd semester freshman year, after he transferred from Chapel Hill - thank goodness he wasn't happy at UNC! We were friends all through college, working together on The Carolinian (I was the Editor for 2 years and he was the Business Manager), and enjoying Town Student Association activities, since we both lived off campus. Our friendship grew, and we hung out together most of the time, including weekly lunches at Yum Yum's and Happy Hour every Friday night at Hooray Harrys! Late spring of our senior year we finally started to date, and were together for graduation, so great to be together for such a big milestone in our lives! I moved to the DC area right after graduation, he followed me soon after, and we've been together ever since.
Michele Mabee Allred '90 and Mark Allred '92
My husband and I met in January 1989. He proposed to me by the fountain outside the cafe. Our daughter just graduated in May 2020 during the pandemic. We didn't get to go to her commencement, but made the most of it with a Zoom ceremony.
Carol Dalton Deaton '72 and Joseph Deaton
My husband and I met in a graduate history class with Dr. Ron Cassell in 1977. Our daughter got her undergraduate degree from UNCG in 2007. Spartan family.
Lizzy Brannan '97 and Scott Brannan '96
My husband, Scott Brannan, and I met at the UNCG music building in Fall 1992, we got married in 1996 and are still going strong. We had so many UNCG musicians and professors perform and attend our wedding.
Lou Heald Bray '91 and Jeremy Bray '89
My husband and I met at UNCG in 1989 and were married in the alumni house in 1992. He now teaches at UNCG.
Pamela Monroe Saunders '97 and John Saunders '94
My husband and I met on Super Bowl Sunday in 1995. He had just graduated from UNCG and I was a sophomore. We met through mutual friends as we watched the Super Bowl. The next weekend, he was my date at a sorority event and the rest is history! We celebrate 26 years knowing each other and almost 19 years of marriage and two teenaged children. We always celebrate our “meeting anniversary” on Super Bowl Sunday!
Kristiana Alvarado '20 and Nathaniel Becker '23
In Fall of 2018 I was studying abroad in Leicester, UK. I became close friends with a girl there and a few weeks after hanging out, she introduced me to her brother, who was visiting Leicester from Clitheroe, England (4 hours away). He was living there, going to school, and playing soccer. We spent time together over the next 2 weeks and fell for each other. For the remainder of my trip, we took trains to meet up and hangout, and dated long distance. At the end of my trip, we decided to continue our relationship, even though we were going to be living on different continents. After 2 years of long distance, Nathaniel decided to move to the United States and transfer to UNCG! He transferred in Spring of 2020 and we have been living together ever since! I graduated in Spring of 2020 and he is still a student!
Jessica Goral '17, '18 MA and Kevin Goral II '16
My husband and I had our first date at Tate street coffee in 2014! Every year on our anniversary (February 8) we would make sure to go back and sit at the same table. In 2019 he proposed to me at that table! We just got married in October. Kevin graduated with a marketing degree in 2016, I graduated from the CARS program in 2017, and then with my masters from CARS in 2018. We moved to Charlotte together in the summer of 2017. We now own a house in Matthews, NC with our dog and are a proud UNCG alumni family! My brother is about to graduate from UNCG, and my sister will be starting in the fall.
Krystle Wilson '11 and Brian Wilson '11
We met in 2007, fall semester of Freshman year at UNCG on the sidewalk right in front of Ragsdale-Mendenhall dorm. Our friends were dating at the time and wanted us to meet one another. That was the first time we ever laid eyes on each other, but from then on, our paths crossed often - in The Caf, on College Ave, campus events, house parties, you name it! Fast forward to the summer before our Senior year of college, I receive a cute, flirtatious message via Facebook from Brian. We exchanged numbers and the rest is history! We began dating officially in 2010, got engaged in 2016, and got married in 2018. October 2021 will mark 11 years together and 3 years married. Falling in love was effortless and our chemistry is amazing! The best part about everything is that we started as best friends, sharing similar backgrounds and common interests. We always find ways to have fun and keep the spark in our marriage. Most importantly, we pray with each other and for each other, keeping God first in everything we do.
Racheal Stimpson '01 M.Ed. and Matt Stimpson '99, M.Ed.
My husband, Matt and I met in our masters' program. We both worked full time and took courses part-time. We had Dr. Bert Goldman for our first class and he would give us a break in the middle of our three-hour class. We both happened to go outside on the steps of Curry to check voicemails and return phone calls and eventually started chatting. One night after class we ended up going to eat at Old Town. After we ate, we started walking around campus and ended up behind the Elliott Center at the swings. We sat at the swings and talked for quite a bit of time before heading to our cars. That late night of talking ended up starting our relationship and 22 years later we are still going strong. We have been married for almost 19 years and have three wonderful kids. None of this would have been possible without UNCG!
Molly Follweiler '06 and Josh Follweiler '05
We met in the first semester of 2002. I was a freshman and Josh was a sophomore. We were in the Symphonic Band together (he plays tuba and I play the bassoon). I thought he was cute, but we were both dating other people at the time so that was as far as it went at first. We started dating in the first semester of 2003 when a mutual friend helped get us together. We stayed together for the rest of our time at UNCG, including about six months in a long-distance relationship when Josh graduated and left Greensboro for a teaching job north of Raleigh. Josh proposed on the field at a marching band competition (he was a high school band director at the time) in September 2006. We were married in June 2007, and have been together ever since. We are both music teachers, and we currently live in Madison, NC with our dog, Teddy.
Chris Bott '93 and Laura Bott '93
Laura and I met our senior year on the front steps of the Sigma Phi Epsilon house at UNCG. With me being from New Jersey and Laura from nearby Pleasant Garden, we were learning about each other’s roots. Laura’s firsts were traveling to NYC, the Statue of Liberty, seeing Billy Joel and going to Yankee Stadium. I learned that barbecue isn’t a party but a southern staple food group. As student-teachers when we met, Laura explained that y’all is proper English conversation. She also bestowed that "fixin'" and "fixin' to" have various meanings. Laura and I loved southern culture so much that we remained in Greensboro for 10 years post-graduation and now reside outside of Charlotte in Fort Mill, SC. We have been married for 25 years and have 3 children, Emily, Bradley and Julianne. Our middle child Bradley is a Sophomore Outfielder for UNCG Baseball.
Jamie Rowen '12 and Hannah Rowen '12
My wife, Hannah, and I met for the first time at Spartan Orientation, before we were even living on campus as freshman, in the summer of 2008. We both studied music and were placed in the same class selection seminar at orientation and became fast friends. During college we both became enthralled by the UNCG old time ensemble and joined. Hannah, being a vocalist did not play an instrument, and myself, being a guitar player, wanted to become a better singer, so we began giving each other lessons in the practice rooms at the SOM and working on our repertoire for the old time ensemble.
The chemistry was apparent to both of us after graduating and we decided to start a band and take our show on the road! We founded our band, Stray Local, and have since performed around the country and in Europe. But that musical synergy we felt as well as repeatedly singing love songs transformed our relationship and it was not long after graduating and starting the band that we began dating. I proposed to her on Christmas in 2017 and we tied the knot in June, 2019!
Josh Sherrick '16 and Monica Scovell '07, '14
My wife Monica Scovell '07, '14 and I knew from the moment she said "yes" to my proposal, that we would be getting married on the campus that we both loved as students, and still do today. Our ceremony was held on the lawn in front of Jackson Library and our reception was held in the Alumni House. It was special to not only celebrate our love in these places that meant so much to us, but also because we were able to share the campus and surroundings with all our loved ones. Today, Monica works for the University International Programs Center and I remain engaged with the MPA and Recreation departments. We'll be Spartans forever!
Felicia Howard '01 and Douglas Howard '99
I met my sweetheart Doug at UNCG in August 1997. As we noticed each other throughout the semester, he finally asked some mutual friends for an introduction. We would talk when we saw each other in the Bryan building, Atrium, parties, or just hanging around campus.
Over the next year we were involved in a student led community service organization and tutored kids at a local school. He conveniently started tutoring in the same classroom. He said it was only by coincidence, but nevertheless I am glad he did. The more time we spent together the more we developed a strong friendship, and I began to let my guard down.
We started dating on and off in 1999 and married in 2003. We reside in Wake Forest with our 3 children. UNCG has brought us together through family, long-standing friendships and Greek life as Doug was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha (Fall 1996) and I was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta (Fall 2000). A lot has changed since the days on the yard. UNCG will always be in our hearts as it helped cultivate our love rooted in friendship, service, laughter and so much more.
Jill Young '94 and Patrick Young '94
College and music were involved from the beginning for us. I grew up in Surry County, Patrick grew up in McDowell County. There were so many times our paths crossed, that we were in the same room at a college, but we didn’t meet until UNCG.
Spring of 1988, Salem College, Governor’s School auditions: we were in the same room, but we did not meet.
January, 1990, Lenior-Rhyne College All-District Audtions: we were in the same room, we still did not meet.
Fall of 1991 (Sophomore year): Brevard College and UNCG Concert Band shared a concert at UNCG. Back then, Brevard was a junior college and Patrick attended there his first two years. We were in the same concert, on the same stage, the same night. We STILL didn’t meet!
Fall of 1992: He transferred to UNCG. Within a few days, I was introduced to a handsome new music major by another music major friend outside the old Music Building.
February, 1993: My senior piano recital, every time I stood up to bow between songs, my eyes immediately went to Patrick.
April 12th, 1993: He asked me in the hallway of the Music Building to eat breakfast with him in the Caf (I had already eaten breakfast, but pretended I hadn’t!), then he asked me to the School of Music Spring Scherzo (dance) that was put on by our fraternities: Mu Phi Epsilon and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. We have been together ever since
April-October, 1993: much of our time together was spent on or near campus — first kiss on the porch of Mendenhall dorm, spending time together at the music building, a movie in the Elliot Center, hanging out at the Fountain, Spring Garden Bar and Grill, concerts, hanging out with friends at their apartments.
October 12th, 1993: Patrick asked me to marry him at his apartment near campus.
August 6th,1994: We got married after we both graduated with our music education degrees. Two of the three musicians in our wedding were music major friends from UNCG (one of them was the friend who introduced us), and of course other music major friends came to the wedding as well.
We moved to his home town. Our music jobs have been a joint effort! I helped with his band program, he helped with my elementary music program, we’ve played many weddings and for church (now with our son) over the years. We are currently both Chorus teachers with a saxophone-playing son. I teach chorus at the middle schools that feed his high school chorus program. We will celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary this year.
All of this would have never happened if we had not FINALLY met at UNCG!
