For some Bulldogs, the connections they make at Bryant University light the spark of lasting romance when a chance encounter in class, a shared study session in the library, or a conversation at a campus event turns into something more.
From first dates at Salmanson Dining Hall to to wedding photos taken in front of the Archway to watching their own children graduate from their alma mater, Bryant couples carry the university with them into every chapter of their lives. Below, we celebrate a few of the alums who found more than their passion and purpose on campus — they also found their person.
Risk, return, romance
For Jonathan and Tiffany (Carter) Manheim, both ’16, an Intro to Finance course was an introduction to love. Jonathan says he found himself “absolutely captivated” by Manheim from early on, but their romance officially began when they reconnected at a mutual friend’s birthday a few years after graduation — and shared their first kiss. The two got married in 2023, surrounded by friends, family, and, of course, fellow Bryant alumni, and welcomed a daughter in 2024.
You belong with me
Kimberly (Doell) and Gabrielle Alicia Willette, both ’12, ’23MBA, met as undergraduates and fell in love. But their Bryant story hadn’t quite reached happily ever after yet; the pair later re-enrolled in the parttime MBA program together. “We planned our wedding and did our MBA at the same time,” says Kimberly, who married Gabriella in October 2022. Seven months later, the pair celebrated again at their graduate commencement before taking off for a Taylor Swift concert.
Signed, sealed, delivered
Kathy (Anter) Orovitz ’04 was working a day job at a bank and paying her way through night classes at Bryant when a friend asked her to bring a letter to a tall, dark-haired man in her oceanography course. Kathy hadn’t noticed him before and, after delivering the note to Dan ’00, ’08MBA, she didn’t give it much more thought. But Dan, now a VP at Washington Trust Company, was taken with her.
After the two developed a friendship as study partners, she invited him back to her brother’s house and the rest is history.
“I still don’t know what was in that letter,” Kathy, who is now CEO of Navigant Credit Union, says with a laugh. They’ve been married since 2001 and have one daughter.
An old-fashioned love song
Brooke Barchard '02 and Randy Rossi ’01 tuned into love at WJMF, Bryant’s radio station, where Randy was the general manager and Brooke had her own show. One day, Randy asked Brooke to play one of his favorite songs, which led to their first date on Valentine's Day. The couple recently celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary and have two daughters "who never tire of hearing how much we love Bryant because it brought us together," they say.
I wanna dance with somebody
When Emily Baez ’08 and Daniel Willis ’08 danced the night away at a Bryant party, sparks flew. The evening created an "inseparable bond between a southern boy from Georgia and a Dominican girl from Massachusetts," says Emily. The pair tied the knot in 2009 and have since welcomed three daughters to their family — who they can’t wait to take to Bryant football games.
Three cheers for love!
Lynn (Cuzzi) '94 and Brian '94 Pearson P'23 met on their first day of junior year in 1992 and ended up dating the rest of their time in Smithfield. Lynn noted that Brian attended every basketball game to watch her cheer. They pair tied the knot in 1997 with a "plethora" of fellow alumni celebrating alongside the happy couple. The Pearsons would visit Bryant often with their children, being careful to roll the strollers around and not under the Archway, per Bryant tradition — which was fortunate as their daughter Carley would go on to graduate from Bryant in 2023!