Alumni couples reflect on the moments—spanning more than five decades—that sparked lifelong partnerships, shaped careers, and built families rooted in Cane pride.
Leslie Goldsmith, B.S. ’72, and Constance Perine-Goldsmith, B.A. ’71
“Connie and I first met in French class. For our first date, I took her to a football game at the old Orange Bowl. I planned to kiss Connie for the first time when the team did something special. I just couldn’t wait, so I kissed her when Miami ran the opening kickoff back about nine yards. And that was enough to begin 55 years of togetherness.
We are both so grateful for what the University of Miami has brought into our lives. I found a passion for biology and encouragement to pursue a master’s degree in veterinary medicine and a Ph.D. Connie remembers every boat burning, Homecoming, and even seeing Janis Joplin perform live on campus in 1969. Not only that, but she also found a mentor in librarian Ana Nunez, who inspired her to pursue her master’s degree and a career in library science.
In 2004, we watched one of our daughters graduate from the School of Communication, and I got to serve as the alumni marshal for the ceremony.
I recently asked Connie whether that short kickoff return was big enough to warrant that first kiss. She admitted it was a bit contrived, but it’s okay because it all worked out.”
David Heston, B.M. ’84, and Denise Murphy, B.B.A. ’82
“David and I met in the fall of 1981. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and I was a proud Delta Gamma. Casual hellos at fraternity events quickly blossomed into something more. David would visit me in between my lifeguard shifts at the pool and work at the Computer Science Center.
I graduated first and began work as a developer in Orlando. But love—and Interstate 95—conquers all, so I would visit David every other weekend as he finished his senior year.
Work brought us both up north to Pennsylvania, where we lived for 36 years and raised our three amazing children.
Last year, in the ultimate romantic gesture, David and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary at the Notre Dame game in Miami. Today, we have two grandchildren, with another on the way, and we are already dreaming of the day that they might decide to don the orange and green and become Hurricanes themselves.”
Chris Stowell, B.B.A. ’18, and Abbie (Auster) Stowell, B.A. ’18
“Once upon a time, in March of 2014, Abbie and Chris were both invited to the Singer Scholarship Weekend for incoming freshmen at the University of Miami. The two were put in the same tour group.
Abbie was short, Chris was tall.
Abbie talked a lot; Chris barely talked at all.
Neither of them got the scholarship in the end, but they got each other, so it all worked out.”
Gregg Solomon, B.B.A. ’05, and Blake (Gellin) Solomon, B.B.A. ’06
“My wife and I met outside of Zeta Beta Tau house on her very first night of school. We had an instant connection, but it took about a year before we were a couple. We’ve been together ever since.
Coincidentally, we’re following in my parents’ footsteps—they met at the University of Miami in the 1970s.”
Bryon Henderson, B.M. ’05, and Lesley-Ann Brown-Henderson, B.A. ’04
“We met through our involvement with the United Black Students and through Greek life (shout-out to the Mu Nu Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and the Eta Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.).
Today, we live in Chicago with our three children and our dog, Eddy.”
Howard Zusman, B.B.A. ’72, and Lynn (Mollov) Zusman, B.A. ’73 (as told by their children, Kim Zusman Haller, M.S.Ed. ’00, and Joel Zusman, B.B.A. ’04, M.B.A. ’06)
“[Our parents] met over student government meetings, where my mom was a member and my dad was the treasurer. My dad jokes that he knew my mom was the one for him because she was a diehard Canes fan who had her own season tickets.
We recently celebrated our parents’ 50th wedding anniversary with a surprise party at the Love Bridge on campus. My sister and I presented them with their own inscribed brick. It was the best place we could think of to commemorate their love and the place where it all started.”
Vince Venincasa, B.S. ’12, M.D. ’15, and Kiran (Sethi) Venincasa, B.S. ’11, M.D. ’15
“We were in the same B.S./M.D. program. One day, Vince came up to me in the library and asked if I was printing notes for a class we had together. We became great friends after that. When I studied abroad in Spain, he sent me an email every day.
By our final year of undergrad, we started dating. Our third year of medical school, we got engaged. Two weeks after graduation, we got married!”
Scott Semaya, B.B.A. ’09, and Danielle (Reiss) Semaya, B.S.H.S. ’10
“I met Danielle on a Thursday night at Sandbar in Coconut Grove. We agreed to meet at the Rat on campus the next day, and we talked for hours.
I was a senior at the time, a month away from graduation, and Danielle was a junior. My mom begged me throughout college to meet a nice girl to bring home before I graduated. I waited until the last minute, but got the job done.
We married in Miami in 2015, and I surprised Danielle at our wedding with Sebastian the Ibis.
Today, we’re married eight years with two mini-Canes of our own!”
Daniel Schulster, B.A. ’94, and Staci (Gruher) Schulster, B.A. ’95
“We met during a fire drill at Mahoney/Pearson.
The rest is history!”
Eugene Bajorinas, M.B.A. ’86, and Lisa (Hardy) Bajorinas, B.A. ’83, M.B.A. ’85
“Legend has it that Gene first spotted Lisa on TV dancing as a Hurricanette during UM’s first football national championship game in 1984, while he was watching from very cold Toronto. Shortly thereafter, he decided UM was the place for him, packed up his windsurfer, and headed south. Coincidence?
Their first date was windsurfing off Key Biscayne. Lisa’s parents knew Gene ‘must be the one’ when she described the sport as extremely difficult … and then mentioned she planned to keep at it anyway.
The M.B.A. program was a close-knit group of students, and Gene and Lisa’s relationship was no secret. The director of the Graduate Career Center referred to them as ‘the happy MBA couple,’ a title that followed them through graduate school.
Lisa and Gene married in August 1986, surrounded by graduate school friends and Lisa’s Delta Gamma sorority sisters.
This August, they will celebrate 40 years of marriage and the joy of raising two wonderful daughters, Lauren and Katrina.”
Tyler Odems, ’15, and Sami Kanterman, B.S. ’17, M.P.H. ’19
“Tyler was leaving football practice when he noticed the quidditch team playing on the intramural fields. Tyler, a huge Harry Potter fan, joined the team and was introduced to Sami there by his roommate.
What started out as a friendship grew into a romantic relationship and a lifelong partnership.
Tyler proposed to Sami in a botanical garden in Virginia in December 2023.
This past January, the pair tied the knot in Miami Beach.”
