Finding love at CWRU: Meet some of our Spartan Sweethearts
How many first dates do you think have taken place at the Jolly Scholar? How many photo albums hold memories of weddings at Amasa Stone Chapel? For many Case Western Reserve University alumni, the campus reminds them of so much more than just their alma mater.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, we collected the stories of a few of the many couples whose love stories started at Case Western Reserve University and endure today.
Engineers attract
Successful engineers require a distinct analytical mindset and a certain way of seeing the world. That shared perspective brought Ryan Murphy (CWR ’19) and Kathryn (Lundgren) Murphy (CWR ’19) together during pre-orientation activities ahead of their first year at Case Western Reserve. The two spent a few months as close friends before they started dating—and becoming inseparable. After graduating—Murphy with a degree in aerospace engineering and Lundgren with a degree in chemical engineering—they backpacked through Europe, moved to California to begin careers, navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and then married. Today, the couple has settled into their “forever home” in Maryland, where they are building their life together.
Legacy and love
Some Spartan love stories span multiple generations, as Julia Liston (LAW ’16) can attest.
“I met my husband, [Joseph Walsh (LAW ’16)], the first day of our law school orientation in 2013,” Liston said. “After arriving home from orientation, I even texted a friend stating, ‘I saw my husband across the room,’ —and the fates allowed.”
Liston’s grandparents Nancy Ward Liston (FSM ’49) and Nelson Hoke Liston Jr. (ARC ’50) also found each other on campus—meeting at a mixer in Clark Hall between Flora Stone Mather College for Women and Western Reserve University. Julia Liston would later mention this story in her application to the law school.
Continuing the tradition, Julia’s father, John, met Sharon Yarnell—who later became his wife and Julia’s
mother— while working at the Mental Development Center (now called the Schubert Center for Child Studies), in Clark Hall.
“My parents lived together on Hessler Street after marrying at Harkness Chapel, and they brought me home to that apartment when I was born,” Julia Liston said. “Thirty-one years after my parents were married in Harkness [Chapel], Joe and I also tied the knot there. We welcomed a son this fall, Charlie. Maybe one day he’ll end up a Spartan too.”
On the journey together
Priya Ramanathan (CWR ’10) and Justin Fisher (CWR ’11) began their relationship in the fall of 2009, during Ramanathan's third year and Fisher’s second. The two found each other through their involvement in Greek life and the Footlighters theater group. They navigated the complexities of a long-distance relationship after graduation and later the addition of Ramanathan’s breast cancer diagnosis, but the couple has supported each other through it all. The two married in March of 2024 in Cleveland, the city where it all began.
Finding chemistry in and out of class
Angela Kerekes (CWR ’22) and Jacob Bejune (CWR ’22) met as neighbors on the second floor of Storrs House.
“We became quick friends since we both were studying engineering, so we had the same classes,” Kerekes said. “I helped him with chemistry, and he helped me with physics.”
The two joined racquetball club together, then Angela asked Jacob out to a showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show. “And the rest is history,” she said. The two were married this year.
One sweet story
After Lisa Sy (CWR ’17) and Jacob Sy (CWR ’17) met during orientation week, “it didn’t take long for us to click,” Lisa Sy said.
The two bonded across neighboring residence halls—Norton and Sherman. The two still shared classes together, especially in the Peter B. Lewis Building, and began dating within a few months of meeting.
They later served on the executive board of the business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi, were part of the Koinonia Intervarsity Fellowship and took part in homecoming flag football. Today, the couple are the parents to 2-year-old Leonardo Mitchell Sy, named for his parents’ favorite place for a sweet treat during their time at CWRU: Mitchell’s Ice Cream!
Losing a bet but finding love
Losing a bet doesn’t often end like a fairy tale, but in the case of Kristin McLaughlin (LAW ’07) and Colin McLaughlin (LAW ’07), it begins their family’s origin story. The two met during their first semester of law school. After a few months, they made a bet—and Kristin lost. “My payment was that I had to cook him dinner,” Kristin said. “We started dating after that and got engaged in the spring of our last year of law school.” The couple moved to Texas and got married in October of 2008, with three law school friends as attendants. The couple still lives in Texas with their two daughters.
Some unlikely matchmakers
Elliott Kerbel (CWR ’16) and Monica Kane (CWR ’15) met multiple times during their first year on campus—including introductions facilitated by friends and even family. “Our parents coincidentally met each other during parent orientation and they also had us come to an event for parents so they could introduce us,” Kane said.
Later that year, the two crossed paths again while in line for a concert at The Spot, “where sparks started to fly,” Kane said. Months later, mutual swim team and residence hall friends encouraged them to get to know each other better. They started dating in their second year and got married more than a decade later, in October 2024.
Changing plans and enduring love
Paul Hicks (CIT ’66) had hoped to attend the United States Air Force Academy, but when that didn’t work out, he decided upon Case Institute of Technology. While registering for classes for his first year, he decided to sign up for Air Force ROTC. He withdrew from the program several weeks later, and was soon set up on a blind date with a woman who was the daughter of the Commandant of Cadets of the AFROTC program. “This was bad timing on my part,” Hicks said. “We dated from then on, and, my [fourth] year, while I was serving as senior class president, she was elected homecoming queen.”
He married his wife, Sandy Hicks the next spring—which Hicks describes as “fairytale stuff.” The two have been married for 58 years.
"She is the love of my life and the best thing that ever happened to me. Our story almost never happened, but I am very thankful it did!”