Alumni couples share a very special bond with each other: Panther Pride. Both partners being graduates of Chapman University has its perks – you just know what your partner is talking about when referring to a place on campus, a piece of history or tradition, or that professor who made a major impact. You both have a deep understanding of the Chapman culture. College is an unforgettable experience that creates lifelong friendships and for some, a spouse! Whether you met freshman year or many years after graduation, you are still Chapman Sweethearts. Love must be in the air at our alma mater: there are more than 700 Sweetheart couples!

In November, the Alumni Engagement Office launched a survey for Sweethearts to share their opinions about ways to make their alumni experience more meaningful. Our goal is to strengthen both your Chapman bond and the bond between you and your spouse or partner by providing relevant programming and communications. Thank you to all the alumni who participated. Your responses are helping us develop exciting new events and programs for Sweetheart alumni.

We also want to learn more about your love story so we can share and celebrate it with the Chapman Family! Sweetheart stories shared by alumni, using 
this form
, will be posted in the
Panther Love album on the Chapman Alumni Facebook
 page. In addition, these stories will be used in a variety of communications such as blogs, the alumni website and more. Everyone loves reading a good love story, so why not share yours and bring a smile to someone’s face?

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Stephanie (Lambrakis) ’10 and Evan Webber ’09: ”You know how they say what you’re looking for can often be found right under your nose? That’s the best way to describe our relationship.” From class, to the training room (Evan played football and Stephanie played soccer), countless football games, soccer games, and parties, their paths crossed for two years before they ever really spoke. Until one night when Evan asked Stephanie if she was single; she said yes, and the rest is history.



In March, we will begin sending out
Anniversary Cards
 to celebrate our Chapman lovebirds. Check your mailbox when your anniversary is coming up. If you don’t receive a card, please update your
contact information
so we can be sure we have the correct address and anniversary date. We don’t want you to miss out! Each month, a couple will be selected to receive two complimentary tickets to attend a Chapman performance or event, in honor of their anniversary, as our official 
Celebration of Love at Chapman University
.

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Lynn (Coccia) ’73 and Paul Beal ’75 – “We met in 1970 and found we had many things in common – volleyball, Star Trek, music and more. We became engaged during the AWS Formal Dinner and Dance on March 16, 1973 and were married the next year with many of our Chapman friends around us!”



We’re also excited to introduce
date nights
for alumni Sweethearts. What a better way to spend a romantic night (or day) out than a visit to the place that brought you together? The Alumni Engagement Office will plan two date nights a year, which will include activities such as workshops, speakers, plays and concerts, along with drinks and appetizers.

Make sure to save the date for
The Chapman Family Homecoming Celebration
,
 
October 2-4, 2015. Homecoming is the university’s signature event for alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and friends to get together, share their Panther Pride and create new memories. The
Big Band Bubbly Brunch
is one of the most popular events of the weekend, featuring Chapman’s live Big Band, champagne, delicious food and swing dancing. This romantic brunch is perfect for Sweetheart couples; join us and enjoy special reserved seating just for Sweethearts. As the final event of the weekend (on Sunday, October 4), it’s also a great way to end your homecoming experience!

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Sabina (Howard) ’02 and Angelo Giakoumis ’02 – “I had just returned from a study abroad trip to Greece 6 months prior to meeting Angelo. Angelo was playing offensive line for the Chapman football team, and I was in the athletic training program. As we began talking in the athletic training room we realized that we both loved sports, but also loved the Greek culture. Angelo is a first generation Greek American and we talked for hours about our travels to Greece.”


Winterfest
is another great event for Sweethearts (and especially couples with young children) to celebrate the holiday season. At this annual event in December, President Jim Doti and Trustee Doy Henley officially kick off the holiday season with a gift bazaar, carolers, a reading of
A Christmas Carol
and more. The forecast might even call for snow! Make sure to stop by the kids’ zone, hosted by 
Young Alumni
and the Alumni Association, for holiday coloring activities, temporary tattoos and candy canes.

Want to get involved? The
Sweetheart Committee
will meet quarterly to brainstorm and plan date night opportunities, programs, communications and events for the Sweetheart program. If you are interested in joining the committee, contact Jessica Schulte ’11, alumni engagement manager, at
pricej@chapman.edu
or 714-628-2777.

If you and your spouse or partner are a Sweetheart couple but prefer not to receive Sweetheart communications or event invitations,
e-mail Jessica Schulte ’11 
and we will honor your request.

We look forward to honoring your special bond and celebrating your love with the Chapman Family!