For the past 75 years, SUNY Broome has served as the backdrop for thousands of “meet-cutes.” (Meet-Cute: a cute, charming, or amusing first encounter between romantic partners – as in a movie.) In honor of SUNY Broome’s 75th Valentine’s Day, we wanted to share some of our favorite love stories that all started right here on campus.
Jeanne Marie & Bill
“Bill was a senior leader for the dental hygiene freshman on day one of orientation. He was going down the line saying our names. He said, “Jeanne Marie Voltaire, that’s a big name for such a little girl! I’ll call you Jeannie.” I told him that my mom named me Jeanne Marie and that’s what you’ll call me! We were joined at the hip from that day forward and were married 18 months later on my spring break. That was 53 years ago.”
Jeanne Marie Graham (DH ’69) & William Graham 1968 (MT ’68)
Denise & Tony
“In 1972, Tony and I left the lecture hall at the same time and began to chat about the test we just took. He followed me to my locker, where I finally got to look at his beautiful, brown eyes. Fireworks went off. My first thought was ‘I’m going to marry him!’ We talked more and then we had to get to class. We never exchanged last names or numbers! A month later, my friend set up a blind date for me. It was Tony! Meant to be! We were married for 46 years!”
Denise Colwell Lenzo (LA ’72) & Anthony Lenzo (LA ’72)
Jane & Jerry
“It was September 1980. I was a faculty member in the Health Information Technology Department, and Jerry was a faculty member in the Business Department. We were fixed up by our colleagues to meet for lunch in the cafeteria. Not long after that lunch meeting, Jerry asked me out to dinner at the Bull’s Head Restaurant in Binghamton. The rest is history. We were married in January 1983 and recently celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary!
I retired from the College in 2016. We have wonderful memories of SUNY Broome, and it will always hold a special place in our hearts!”
Jane Hlopko (BT ’74) & Gerald Hlopko (AS ’75)
Carla & David
“During the summer of 1986, I was hired as a graduate intern for the Office of Institutional Research. The Director decided to locate me in an allegedly empty office in the LAD. Little did I know that that office was intended for the Math Lab Coordinator, Dave Michalak. I thought that I had squatter’s rights, and soon my internship turned into a two-year appointment. Then, one day in August, I found Dave had moved into the office, and my stuff had been moved to one side! And not only was Dave there, but because Dave coached both baseball and hockey, so were some of BCC’s finest athletes! Being a new employee and needing to concentrate on my work, I was a bit frustrated. Our office was a constant revolving door of someone needing something from Dave. In order to function, we drew our own “Mason-Dixon” line in the office and kept to our “corners.”
A few months later, Dave asked me to lunch. I, being smart, never turned down a free lunch. We discovered that we had more in common than we thought, and the rest is history!”
Carla Sturchio Michalak & David Michalak (PE ’75)
Taryne & Craig
“Craig was my patient in the college’s dental hygiene clinic. After I finished, he asked me out. The rest is history. In Oct. 2022, we will be married 45 years.”
Taryne Messner Lewey (DH ’76) & Craig Lewey (ET ’76)
Nancy & Mitch
“We met in the college’s Theater Department in 1978, but went our separate ways. In 2011, I was in a show at Know Theatre and Nancy came up after the show to say, ‘Hello.’ We parted until 2014, when we ran into each other again while playing trivia. We were both unattached at the time and started dating. We have been together ever since.”
Nancy McKenzie Oliveri (LA ’81) & Mitch Tiffany
Chariese & Setrak
“While I was outside waiting for class to begin, a car pulled up with Carmina Burana ’ O Fortuna’ playing. I love that song! The most handsome man stepped out, wearing a black shirt and khaki pants. We said hello and exchanged music interests. Right after this meeting, we had spring break. When I returned to college, he had burned me a CD with “our song” on it and said that he had thought about me all week! At the time, I was working as a cashier at Lowe’s Home Improvement. I saw him VERY frequently in my line, sometimes in and out for the silliest little thing on the same shopping trip! It turns out — while he does construction — he does not usually dawdle like that. 19 years later, we are still together with two children, ages 8 and 16! My heart is full!”
Chariese Smith (DH ’06) & Setrak R. Kerjilian (ET ’02)
Caraline & Andy
“We had a couple of communications classes together, but we really became close friends when we were paired up together for an Intro to Video Theory project. We went on a few COM Club trips together and even sat next to each other during graduation. We have been together for six years and married this past June. We have so many wonderful memories together from our time at SUNY Broome, and we’re grateful to have them be a part of our story.”
Caraline Shedd (LACM ’13; EVNT ’17) & Andrew Sanford (LACM ’14)
Morgan & Christopher
“Christopher and I had mutual friends. According to him, after I walked into the cafeteria one day, he was smitten. He knew that I was involved in the Japanese Culture and Animation club, so he started attending meetings to get to know me better. That was in 2012 and we are still together today. The accompanying photos were taken at a club meeting where he was reading a story about two lovers and I sat next to him for the presentation.”
Morgan Thomas (CLT ’14; ISAT ’14) & Christopher Stickle (ES ‘13)
Alexa & Zachary
“We met in chemistry class and first started talking during a lab. We got to know each other a little bit and continued talking even after the semester ended. The following semester, she took a “walking class” where she would have to walk “x” miles a week, and would invite me to walk with her on Broome’s campus. After a few weeks of this, we realized that we had feelings for each other and made it official. We have been together for almost 4 years now.”
Alexa Walling & Zachary Harnett
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