TRUE LOVE AT TULANE 2025
by Theo Mitchell
Fate has a funny way of bringing people together, but we like to think there’s something magical about the connections made right here, between St. Charles and Claiborne.
Maybe it was a chance encounter in a Newcomb classroom, a first spark at The Boot, or a friendship that turned into forever on the quad. However it happened, love stories that begin at Tulane have a charm all their own.
Below is a heartwarming collection of stories from Tulanians who found their person in the most unexpected — and perfectly timed — ways.
Welcome to True Love at Tulane.
Jake (SLA ’16, M’20) and Zoe Cross (SLA ’16)
We met freshman year right after hurricane Isaac and had our first date shortly after that. We shared many fabulous memories together during our time at Tulane and were long distance for four years during grad school. To this day, we still love saying ‘Roll Wave’ to each other. Since graduation we got married, both found jobs in Chicago, and try to come back to New Orleans as often as possible!
Jack Petrides (SSE ’19) and Alyssa Taft (SSE ’18)
We met on our very first day on campus for Greenie Camp in the LBC. We were friends for years before finally going on our first date on Valentine’s Day, junior year, and the rest is history. Now we are headed back to where it all started and getting married in Audubon Park this May! Bring back Greenie Camp!
Matt Guenther (SLA ’15) and Dan Coleman (SSE ’15)
We met when we decided to sublet an apartment on Lowerline from mutual friends fall semester of junior year. We started dating just before we went abroad in the spring. We’ve been together for 10 years and got married in July 2022!
Dominique (SLA ’08) and Brandon Finkbeiner (SSE ’08, M *14)
We met our first semester back on campus after Katrina. Everyone was on a high just to be in New Orleans. We greeted many a sunrise after dancing endlessly at the inimitable Boot, F&Ms, Snake & Jake’s, and all our old-time haunts. While traveling for a year across the globe together, he proposed on a tiny island in Thailand. We got married and had two beautiful boys. Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Greg (B ’91) and Amy Saphier (NC ’93)
In 1990 at the infamous Rendon Inn “Hanger”, Amy Pearl’s (Newcomb ’93) steel hip broke Greg Saphier’s (BS ’91) sideview mirror. A subsequent call to collect repair money turned into formal trip to Florida, dating in DC, living in NYC to Greg proposing while running the NYC marathon. We married in Miami (’96), lived in NYC, Hong Kong, London then raised three boys in Miami all who attended Tulane (Hayden BS ’23, Ethan BS ’25, Justin BS ’27).
Max Lippman (SLA ’17) and Katie Scott Lippman (SLA ’17)
We met while studying abroad in Copenhagen and reconnected in a class our junior year at Tulane in 2016. By senior year, friendship turned to romance, and we’ve been inseparable ever since. After eight amazing years together, we tied the knot in September 2024, surrounded by our closest Tulane friends.
Dennes (SSE ’20) and Anna Chen
I met my wife when I jokingly proposed to her in the entryway of Irby our junior year. We volunteered together for our service electives and started dating a few months later. We got married this past April, bought a fixer-upper, and are currently going through medical school/residency together. Eternally grateful to find my partner in crime and love of my life by way of Tulane and New Orleans!
Andrew Lewis (SLA ’20) and Emily Gilbert (SSE ’22)
Our love story began in September 2019 at the inventively themed In Labor Day party, where we met and instantly clicked. Two days later, we had our first date and spent hours lost in conversation over PJs coffee. New Orleans has since become our home, now complete with our beloved dog, Taz. From tubing in Bogue Chitto, to wandering through the ruins at Machu Picchu, we cherish every adventure together, big and small.
Kyle (B ’14) and Olivia Karten (B ’14)
My husband, Kyle, and I met at Tulane our senior year. We got married on Magazine Street in 2022 and welcomed our first kid this past summer—our baby girl Ruby. Her first vacation was of course to New Orleans!
Shawn (SCS ’12) and Jennifer McCorry (SCS ’13)
Shawn came to class on crutches. He had completely obliterated his ankle playing rugby. Being my awkward self, the only thing I knew to do was make a crack about him being on crutches. We made plans to get a drink after class and he stood me up. 13 years and 2 kids later….
Ryan (B ’13) and Rachelle Rome (SSE ’13)
We first met freshman year while both living in Sharp in 2009, graduated in 2013, tied the knot in 2016, and have since had three Green Wave fans {Reece, Beau & Tatum}. We hold season tickets and support the Wave as much as we can. Our oldest says she can’t wait to go to Tulane one day! Roll Wave
James David (A&S ’77) and Carol Miranda Robinson (NC ’77, G *79)
A few glances freshman year 1973. Sophomore year History of Jazz started what was to be. We then took a dance around the sun exploring others. But returned, knowing we were meant for one another. Graduating in 1977; married in 1978. Tulane is the place that sealed our fate. 3 children, 4 grandchildren, married 46 years. So grateful for our Alma Mater who we hold most dear.
Lloyd (A&S ’82) and Melissa Turner Drumm (NC ’83)
We met at Tulane in the early 80’s. Both moved to NYC and probably crossed paths at Mardi Gras/Nola parties. Many years later we were set up in New Orleans. “It’s not a blind date” so Lloyd called me, and we just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary with our 24-year-old son. Happy Valentine’s Day! You never know! To quote Good Will Hunting: “It’s not if you are perfect, it’s if you are perfect for each other.”
Everett Perry (B ’09, B *10) and Liz Spector (SSE ’08)
He was a doorman at Bruno’s. She needed a stamp one night in the fall of 2007. The rest was history. After a few cross-country moves and traveling around the world, they’ve settled in Westchester, NY and have two amazing little girls. Brass, beads and boas are enjoyed throughout the year. Happy Valentine’s Day babe!
Patrick (SLA ’15, L *19) and Parker Duffey (SLA ’15)
Patrick and Parker were in the same friend group at Tulane but only ran into each other a few times over the years. It wasn’t until 2021, when Parker visited NOLA for the weekend, that Patrick asked her on a date. What was meant to be a quick trip turned into Parker moving down full-time to be with Patrick. The two got married last June and are expecting their first child this spring.
Jake Field (SLA ’19) and Alexandra Young (PHTM ’18)
Our first date was to Krewe Du Vieux in 2016…in 2023 we returned to the French Quarter to get married and celebrate with a Second Line.
Robert (B ’02) and Emily Zuppert (NC ’02)
Rob and I met at a fraternity keg during a Mardi Gras parade our freshman year at Tulane. We dated, fell in love, and got engaged while completing our degrees. Graduation weekend we were married in NOLA before we started out for Rob’s naval career. This year we will celebrate 23 years of marriage.
Alex Rosen (SSE ’20) and Olivia Thurmond (PHTM ’20, PHTM *22)
We met thanks to a mutual friend who set us up for her sorority semi-formal. I’m from New York, and Liv’s from South Carolina—our paths would’ve never crossed if not for New Orleans and Tulane bringing us together. We got married this past May, and we’re so thankful to Tulane for making the impossible possible!
Lindsay Harmon (SSE ’22) and Sara Heimlich (SLA ’22)
We met at Boot Happy Hour January 2020. She was in my morning environmental bio class and we worked at outdoor adventures leading trips together. When we got sent home during Covid, we wrote letters to each other to keep in touch. We now live together in DC.
Dylan Castor (SSE ’21) & Alexa Redlich (SSE ’22)
They lived across the hall as freshman in Wall in 2018. He brought a rice crispy cake to her suite’s water party to celebrate the Kentwood arrivals, and the rest is history! They became Gen Chem lab partners… and certainly had chemistry! Six wonderful years later, he got down on one knee at the place where they met, where their life together began! Sometimes, the best chemistry happens outside the lab. WALL you marry me?
David (B ’12, B *12) and Franki Batten (PHTM ’12, PHTM *14)
We met at the Tulane BCM in 2008 and got married over Spring Break 2012. Now we have three babies who were born and raised in New Orleans. Tulane holds such a special place in our family story.
Jack (B ’20, B ’21, B *21) & Wendy Chasanoff (SLA ’20, B *21)
We both grew up in Dallas, but did not know each other. At the end of our Senior year of high school, once we had both decided that we would be attending Tulane in the fall, many mutual friends kept telling us to meet each other! We finally met in April 2016, started dating in October of our Freshman year at Tulane, graduated in 2020 and got married in July 2024!
Justin (TC ’03) and Annie Springer (SLA ’07)
We both went to Tulane at different times and serendipitously met at Igor’s during Mardi Gras years after graduating. We got engaged during Jazz Fest, had our rehearsal dinner on Tulane’s campus, got married downtown and we visit “our city where it all began” as often as we can.
Luc (SSE ‘21, TSOM ‘24) and Ellie Courtois (PHTM ‘21)
We were chemistry lab partners freshman year 2017, started dating junior year, and got married this past May. Forever thankful to Tulane for bringing us together!
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