February is proving to be a popular month for engagements, with several Boston University alumni recently announcing their plans to marry. According to The Knot, Valentine’s Day, falling on February 14th, ranks among the most chosen days to propose in the United States, second only to Christmas Day.
Among those celebrating recent engagements are Geneve Lau (COM’21) and Alex Wadsworth (CGS’17, Questrom’19). Their connection began not during their time overlapping as students at BU, but on the dating app Hinge during Geneve’s final semester. Their first date, necessitated by the pandemic, took place via FaceTime in 2021. Lau noted that Wadsworth’s leverage of a Google Calendar invite resonated with her “Type A” personality and Capricorn sensibilities. After a year of long-distance dating following their initial connection, the couple moved in together in June 2022.
Wadsworth proposed to Lau in New York City’s Central Park Conservatory Garden, a location chosen for its resemblance to the Palace of Versailles, a place they had visited together the previous year. He marked their relationship milestones – first date, becoming official, moving in together and the proposal date – with commemorative plaques. A photographer discreetly captured the moment, and the couple was later surprised with a bouquet from both sets of parents and an engagement party with friends.
Another BU couple, Raeanne Villongco Quinn (CFA’17) and Chris Quinn (CFA’18), shared a different path to engagement. Friends for eight years before beginning a romantic relationship, their proposal took place during a scuba diving trip off the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii – a location Raeanne frequents for surfing. Chris proposed underwater, and the couple married in September 2025 at Marsh Chapel, followed by a reception at the Boston Park Plaza.
For Amy Shanler (CAS’96, COM’96,’04), College of Communication professor of the practice of public relations and associate chair of the mass communication, advertising and public relations department, and Mike Shanler (ENG’97), the proposal involved a mystery trip. Amy was unaware of the destination until arriving at Logan Airport, where she learned they were headed to Paris. After several days in the city, Mike proposed on the Pont des Arts bridge, a location they continue to visit on trips to Paris, 25 years later.
Holly Haire (CFA’94) and Breen Haire (CFA’94) experienced a more immediate connection, meeting on Move-in day during their freshman year. Breen proposed during brunch senior year, just before their Eggs Benedict arrived. The news spread quietly through the cast of their respective theater productions – Holly was performing in Much Ado About Nothing, and Breen in The Seagull – after a friend noticed her ring during a tech rehearsal. They have been married for 31 years and have three children, two of whom are currently members of the Class of 2029.
Allen Michel, Questrom School of Business professor emeritus of finance, and Roberta Clarke, Questrom associate professor emerita of marketing, found romance after working as colleagues. A humorous incident involving Clarke retrieving Michel’s locked car keys by climbing through a window led to a trip to New York City, where they realized their feelings for each other. They were engaged three weeks later and married in 1977, eventually having two children and three grandchildren.
Cecilia Yudin (CFA’09, MET’14, Questrom’22), director of Questrom’s Center for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, and Malcolm Doldron, director of Women’s Rowing, met at a BU faculty and staff holiday party in 2014, requiring three separate introductions from mutual friends. Four years later, while traveling in Cartagena, Spain, Doldron proposed at the Cabo de Palos lighthouse. Yudin reciprocated with a proposal of her own seven months later on a bridge in Fort Point, a location now holding special significance for the couple.
Ray Joyce (Questrom’91), School of Social Work assistant dean of development, and Michele Joyce (SSW’24) proposed to each other simultaneously during a sunrise on Cahoon Hollow Beach in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, more than 30 years ago. Their three children are also Boston University alumni.
Andrew Ryan (Wheelock’20, Questrom’27), associate director for advising in the Office of the Registrar, and Erin Ryan (Wheelock’04,’15) bonded over shared experiences, including surviving childhood cancer. Ryan proposed during a trip to Portland, Maine, presenting Erin with an album documenting their relationship, culminating in the question, “Wedding Photos?” They were married in June 2011, with a speech from their former professor, Dan Davis, who passed away later that year.
Stephanie Rodriguez (CAS’19) and Angel Rodriguez (LAW’23) experienced a modern proposal orchestrated through social media. Stephanie believed she was attending a friend’s surprise birthday party at BU’s Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences, only to find Angel waiting for her when the elevator doors opened. The proposal took place on a balcony overlooking the Charles River, and a video of the event posted to TikTok has garnered over 1.4 million views.
