The four years Chidera and Terrance spent studying, eating, struggling, laughing and ultimately succeeding together at UWM shaped and cemented their relationship. While they had different majors, they both studied at the Golda Meir Library and spent time together at Mitchell Hall, Lubar Hall, the Northwestern Quadrant and the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center. They would catch up, talk about their schedules and discuss their goals. After studying and grabbing food in the union, they would often catch movies at the union theater – like mini dates throughout the week, they said. They walked the stage to graduate in Spring 2022, which they call a rare and amazing experience, and married in August 2022. (Photo courtesy of Chidera and Terrance)
Ann and John Beppler first met at the Rec Center in 1979. Ann was an attendant there, busy with bowling, billiards, table tennis and video games. John worked in staff services at the Student Union, helping take care of safety, security and fund handling. John stood out to Ann because he always made sure they had quarters for video game customers before they ran out, which happened often. Ann admired his ability to troubleshoot problems. She remembers the first moment she saw John at the Rec Center desk – her heart fluttered and she had butterflies. She still feels that way to this day. In 1988, Ann and John had their wedding reception in the Wisconsin Room at the union. And now, their two daughters are students at UWM. (Photos courtesy of Ann and John Beppler)
It was Wyatt’s second year and Bo’s first when they met at UW-Milwaukee in 2014. They had mutual friends from their hometowns but kept missing each other until later in the year. Their first date was at Colectivo on Prospect, just a mile from campus — and the date never really ended! The two of them have been together ever since. Bo and Wyatt got married last July, and in March they will be celebrating nine years together. (Claire Neville Photography)
Brandon and Kelly met in 2011 through mutual friends while living on the same floor of Cambridge Commons. Brandon would find ways to run into Kelly, such as asking her to microwave popcorn in her room rather than the common areas. After being friends for about six months, Brandon asked Kelly to be his girlfriend. They were, and still are, each other’s biggest supporters as Brandon completed his degree through the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare and Kelly completed hers through the College of Health Sciences. Brandon is now a police officer, and Kelly is a medical technologist for Children’s Wisconsin. Since college, they’ve marked memories and milestones: adopting three fur-babies (Squints, Benny and Chester), travel adventures, getting engaged in 2017, buying a house in 2018, marrying in 2019 and now expecting their first baby in July. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Ed and Katy Dueppen met at Sandburg Hall in the fall of 1990. Ed lived on the 13th floor of West Tower, Katy on the 14th floor. Their first date was a UWM Symphony Orchestra concert on campus. Ed and Katy have been married for almost 27 years. Their son, Alex, is a currently a freshman at UWM in the College of Engineering. (Photo courtesy of Ed and Katy Dueppen)
Charles and Shakai first encountered each other during the kickoff meeting for the UWM Black Student Union. Charles was the Small Event Committee chair and recruited Shakai to join the committee. Throughout their time with BSU and at UWM, they spent time together studying in the Golda Meir Library. They began dating in 2018 and then got married in November 2020. (Photo courtesy of Charles and Shakai)
Despite both being psychology majors and McNair scholars, Ruben and Kristen didn't sit down for coffee, debating about free will, until their final year as undergrads. They first met at the library Grind and began dating Jan. 1, 2020, after doing the polar bear plunge. Romance bloomed during the pandemic, and by April 2021 were engaged. They planned their wedding while in grad school and tied the knot in May 2022. Ruben finished his master’s in marriage and family therapy at UW-Stout and is working as a therapist in Michigan, while Kristen pursues her doctorate at the University of Michigan. Both look forward to moving back to Milwaukee and perhaps having coffee again at this very table at Colectivo — the site of their first date. (Photo courtesy of Ruben and Kristen)
Josh and Kelsey Lutzow met in 2013 at the UWM School of Architecture and Urban Planning while pursuing their undergraduate degrees. They shared several classes, lots of late nights and endless amounts of takeout in the architecture building. So it was only fitting for Josh to propose in the lecture hall where they first met. Fast forward 10 years, and the Lutzows now live in Green Bay with their dog, Abby, and two cats, Ella and Lucy — but Milwaukee will always hold a place in their hearts. They enjoy trying new restaurants, traveling and hosting friends and family at their home. (Photo courtesy of Josh and Kelsey Lutzow)
Zach and Mickenzie met their freshman year at UWM at RiverView Residence Hall. What started as homework help developed into a long-lasting relationship. They spent many hours together at the library Grind and at the Student Union, and they loved exploring Milwaukee. They got married a year after graduation, and this fall they will be celebrating 10 years together. They are both so glad UWM brought them together, and that Milwaukee played such a big role in their story. (Photo courtesy of Zach and Mickenzie)
Brendaliz and Giovani met at the Roberto Hernandez Center in spring 2018. Brendaliz was a junior studying political science, Giovani a senior in supply chain and operations management. They soon became great friends and began dating that same summer. Now they are engaged and planning a destination wedding in December 2023 in Puerto Rico. (Photo courtesy of Brendaliz and Giovani)
Emily and Dylan met in the fall of their sophomore year in 2016 through mutual friends. They started dating in May 2017 and got engaged in Charleston, S.C., in August 2018. They graduated together in December 2019. Emily and Dylan tied the knot in September 2021 after having to push it back a year due to COVID. They bought their first house in June 2022, adopted a dog named Cooper and in November welcomed a baby girl, Isabella. (Lisa Young photo)
Meet 11 couples whose love stories all share a common thread – their time at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
From study sessions at the Golda Meir Library to catching each other’s eye at the UWM Black Student Union to first interactions at the UWM Rec Center, their stories will have your heart blooming with love this Valentine’s Day.
