How 14 Creighton couples fell in love

By: Jon Nyatawa

February is a month for love, and flowers, and candy, and pink-hued hearts … and touching stories about Creighton alumni finding their soulmates.

The life-changing first dates and parties. Movie-script-like chance meetings at the library and the grocery store. The time that skipping class REALLY paid off.

Let’s reminisce with 14 couples as they share how Creighton brought them together.

(Want to be featured in a future article? Share your Creighton love story with jonnyatawa@creighton.edu.)

 

Picture perfect

Katie James Drexel, BSW’07, and Jonathan Drexel, BA’07

The picture shows Katie, standing with her hand over her mouth and leaning toward a smiling Jonathan. Both are looking ahead. At that time, neither had any idea that THIS MOMENT would be such a memorable and meaningful one.

It was Creighton’s 2003 Summer Preview. They were freshmen. This is where they met for the first time. They were in the same group, the Greens. Their personalities clicked right away.

And by their second semester on campus — after they’d crossed paths a few times at sporting events, at the gym and on the Mall — they were dating. As one would say, that was that.

They took several classes together. They studied abroad in Ireland together. They went to sporting events together.

Katie and Jonathan married in June 2007, one month after they both completed their undergraduate degrees. They live in Plano, Texas, with their four kids.

And that first picture of the couple? They didn’t know during Summer Preview that someone photographed them together. Then the image was published as part of a Welcome Week orientation packet. It’s small, in black and white, and a little grainy — but Katie clipped it out and scrapbooked it.

“I love that even though we had different majors, it was easy for us to take core classes together and share so many fun experiences,” Katie said. “We are so grateful for our time at Creighton!”

 

I do, me too. Go Jays!

Nhuy Nguyen Perez, BSBA’19, and Jesus Perez, BS’19 

OK, technically, Nhuy and Jesus didn’t meet on campus. But Creighton brought them together.

They were both high school juniors in Omaha enrolled in Ignatian College Connection, a college prep and mentorship program for local students. One day, they met at a seminar.

Jesus told his mom he’d found his wife. Nhuy saw something special, too.

“We definitely had that ‘love at first sight’ feeling for each other even though we were teenagers and knew nothing about love,” Nhuy said.

At Creighton, though, the two high school sweethearts grew up together and solidified the foundation of their relationship. They’d meet up at the Skutt Student Center, walk in the Jesuit Gardens and hang out in the TRiO Student Support Services office (since they both participated in the program). They ate take-out Chinese or quick snacks at Jack and Ed’s.

The adventures continued after graduation. They’ve traveled the world together, visiting 10 different countries. And in October 2022, Nhuy and Jesus married in Sayulita, Mexico.

 

Total eclipse of the Rein-heart

Stacie Panza Watkins, BA’91, and Andrew Watkins, BA’91

Their first real conversation occurred at Reinert-Alumni Memorial Library. Which, looking back, was verrryyy coincidental.

Andrew NEVER went to the library. And Stacie usually did her research at the medical school’s library. But for some reason, they were both at Reinert’s card catalog when they recognized each other. They’d seen each other on campus a few times before.

This time, they started talking.

They hit it off.

Then they bumped into each other at a fraternity party the next weekend. They saw each other at The Blue Jay bar a week after that. Eventually, they stopped leaving it up to chance and started actually arranging their hangouts. Their relationship grew from there.

They did so much together that final year of school — both living it up, while refusing to think about the harsh reality that each already had concrete plans after graduation.

“We just had a great last nine months of school — and we have so many great memories of that time in our lives,” Stacie said. “I remember then our friends would joke with us, ‘You guys are going to get married!’ And we’re like, ‘No, we’re not.’ This is just a temporary thing. But that’s not how it panned out.”

After graduating, Stacie went to Denver. Andrew went to St. Louis.

Six months passed. That’s when Andrew moved to Denver.

Stacie and Andrew were married in 1994 and look forward to celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary in October.

 

How I met my Bluejay

Mary Carstensen Freivogel, BSCHM’98, and Mike Freivogel, BSBA’97

Mike presumably had a serious case of senioritis. Because it was a Friday in April 1997 and he’d decided to skip class. An afternoon on the back deck at The Blue Jay Bar seemed like a much better option than schoolwork.

Best decision ever.

(Disclaimer for the kids out there: Don’t skip class. Unless you’re going to be introduced to your future spouse!)

Mary had spent the morning getting dropped into a dunk tank for a Panhellenic Council fundraiser. She was ready to kick back and relax at The Jay. That’s when she met Mike.

They immediately hit it off. Three years later, they married. They’ve been together for 23 years now, and their two sons have probably heard too many Creighton stories to count. For good reason, though.

Mary’s parents — Jane McCarty Carstensen, BSN’65, and Earl Carstensen, MD’68 — met at Creighton as well. Back in the 60s. Earl passed away in 2019.

“Creighton was a very special place for my dad — it brought him great friends, incredible memories, and the love of his life ... just as it did for me,” Mary said. “I am forever indebted to Creighton for being the catalyst for my parents' beautiful lifelong relationship, as well as the reason that I found Mike and have been able to build a beautiful life with him.”

 

Creigh-zy in love

Emily Butz Austerberry, BA'14, Mike Austerberry, BSATS'14

Emily and Mike met at a party during their senior years at Creighton. And they very quickly realized they probably should have met much sooner.

They both knew the party host. They had several mutual friends. Their interests aligned.

Seriously. How had they gone this long without talking???

They made up for lost time in a hurry. “Fast friends,” as Emily remembers. They joined the same intramural volleyball team. They played lots and lots of racquetball. There were study sessions, lunches and more social gatherings. Their bond continued to strengthen. And soon, they were officially dating.

They did spend three years maintaining a long-distance relationship as Mike began his aviation career in the Navy. But they were meant to be. Distance, time, the seemingly impossible near-misses during their college years before that senior year party? Nothing could keep them apart.

Emily and Mike married in 2018. They’ve traveled across the U.S. together for Mike’s job with the Navy. And it’s been a blast.

“Creighton has been a huge part of our lives for various reasons,” Emily said. “And we're very grateful for our time there, grateful that it’s led us down this wonderful life adventure!"

 

The Jay you look tonight

Jodi Schulz Conti, BSN’96, and John Conti, BSBA’97

It was supposed to just be two friends on a date. One friend doing another friend a favor.

John’s fraternity was hosting a date-night party and he needed someone to bring so his buddies would get off his case. He’d known Jodi since freshmen year — they were good friends. So, he asked, and she agreed.

They were more than friends from that point on.

A few weeks later, they were officially dating. John proposed the night before his graduation. They married a year later in Bismarck, N.D. They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in September.

Technically, the “date” started it all. But John and Jodi had done so much together well before that. They met in Swanson Hall when John helped a friend move into Jodi’s dorm room. There were parties, lunches, card games, etc. They had a stronger connection than they realized. And that’s what is special about Creighton.

“I think it’s the intimacy of the school, where you forge these really close bonds with people because you see them every day,” John said. “Jodi and I are grateful for all the time we spent together at Creighton.”

 

Lovebirds, in aisle 5

Pamela Ziegler Langel, BA’07, and Nick Langel, BSBA’07

When Pamela and Nick graduated from Creighton and went their separate ways, neither gave it a second thought that all those experiences together in college might have meant something more.

They were friends who met at a fraternity party and hung out regularly each semester. They would grab a bite together at Brandeis Dining Hall, say hello to each other while at St John’s Church, cross paths at the Kiewit Fitness Center, meet up at Creighton basketball games or socialize at The Jay.

“Basically, everywhere except the library,” Pamela joked.

Maybe that’s why it didn’t take long for Nick to ask Pamela on a date once they reconnected.

Six years after graduating, they randomly ran into each other at a grocery store. About a week later, they were trading Facebook messages, then texting a bunch and then going out for a glass of wine.

“It took us quite a while to realize that we were two Jays meant for each other,” Pamela said. “But after seeing each other all those years later, yes, then it was for sure love at first (re)sight.”

Pamela and Nick married on Sept. 17, 2016. They live with their three children in the house on the corner with all the Creighton stuff.

 

A family of Jays

Lizanne Marshall Meszaros, BSMT’80, and Mark Meszaros, BSCHM’80

In 1976, Mark and a high school friend were at a Welcome Week party inside Swanson Hall. His friend spotted a woman across the room. Mark got assigned to break the ice. 

He was nervous. The woman barely acknowledged him. But her friend, Lizanne, did. Soon, all four of them were hanging out. It wasn’t long before Lizanne and Mark were dating. 

The only issue? Lizanne’s brother, John Marshall, BA’79, was on campus, too, keeping Mark on his toes. You know, the way a protective, loving older brother should. There was even one semester where all three were in the same chemistry class. 

“It can be a little intimidating to have the older brother around keeping an eye on his sister,” Mark said. “On occasion, we got to borrow John’s car to go out to Westroads Mall to see a movie, but he made it very clear that I was not allowed to drive!” 

Lizanne’s sister, Laure Marshall Marino, BSN’81, was on campus the next year. Another set of eyes on Mark. 

But of course, they all got along — Mark was basically part of the family before he was officially part of the family. He and Lizanne married on May 30, 1981. They lived with three sons in the Chicago suburbs for 20 years before moving to North Carolina. 

Today, Creighton stories are endless at every family event and holiday gathering (Five of Lizanne’s siblings graduated from Creighton!) All the fraternities and sororities events, co-ed softball games, shifts at the dining halls, Chemistry Club meetings and fun walks around campus. 

“Lizanne and I grew so much individually and together during our four years at Creighton,” Mark said. “And I am thankful to have all those great memories to share with my brother- and sister-in-law as well.” 

 

50 years and counting

Susan Thoren Habermann and Richard Habermann, BS’68, JD’74

It was the biggest party of the year, and Susan didn’t have a date. Neither did her two friends. So, when the ladies all met a single guy who said he knew a couple of other fraternity brothers to pair everyone up with, they all agreed they should hang out for the night.

At one point, Susan told her new date that she didn’t smoke or drink. Her date then hollered over to Richard, who also did not smoke or drink.

“Let’s swap dates.”

That’s how Susan and Richard met. An impromptu blind date within a blind date. In 1967.

Not too long after the party, Richard invited Susan to join him for a hayride. Their relationship grew from there. And even though they spent considerable time apart while Richard served in the Vietnam War, they stayed in touch and fell in love.

Richard and Susan married on Sept. 29, 1973. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in September 2023.

 

Love you to the Hilltop and back

Caryn McCowen Campbell, BSN’96, and Kevin Campbell, BS’95

They were together and enjoying each other’s company back in 1992 at so many Creighton retreats, events at the Campion House and Creighton Leadership Council activities that the memory of their first meeting sort of blurred in with all those other early interactions.

But then they were asked to lead a group of freshmen in a CLC prayer group.

That was it.

“Our relationship transformed into something more than just friendship,” Caryn said.

They attended Candlelight Mass on Sunday nights, walked together in the Jesuit Gardens, studied at Reinert and participated in Creighton service trips. But it was a summer apart —while Caryn was serving with ILAC in 1996 — that revealed their cherished connection. They were meant to be.

Caryn scrapped her post-grad plans to get a job in Kansas City and stayed in Omaha while Kevin finished a master’s degree program. They were married at St. John’s on Sept. 26, 1998.

“To say that Creighton’s Jesuit environment shaped us into who we are today is an understatement!” Caryn said. “And I’m super happy that the good Lord brought us together during those CLC meetings.”

 

Will you be my Bluejay?

Kaity Hagen Reece, BA’08, and Jarrod Reece, BA’08

Valentine’s Day will always be extra special for Kaity and Jarrod. They met just before the love holiday in 2006. One of their first dates came on that romantic day.

But what sticks out the most to both might have been all those lunches at Irma’s Bistro.

“The ‘fancy’ — to us — place to eat on campus,” Jarrod said.

They got to know each other while sharing meals. They also had multiple classes together during that spring semester in 2006. And then there were the gatherings with Fr. Raymond Bucko, SJ, where he’d invite Jarrod, Kaity and several other students to Kenefick Hall and prepare food from different cultures he’d studied as an anthropologist. 

Soon, Jarrod and Kaity were in love. And married — at St. John’s in 2010.

Coincidentally, Kaity’s parents also found each other in a similar fashion. Kathy (Slevin) Hagen, BSBA’81, and Jeff Hagen, BSMTH’82, MD’86, met at Creighton in the early 1980s.

 

Just a Jay, standing in front of another Jay…

Isabel Bazley Peterson, BS’20, and Jack Peterson, BS’20

In the Hitchcock Building, during their critical issues class, while everyone was introducing themselves to each other, Isabel and Jack met. It was their second day of undergraduate classes. It was the “hello” that ultimately changed each other’s lives.

By the end of the semester, after group get-togethers to work on homework and prep for quizzes, Jack asked Isabel to go to a movie. Their first date. They were soon walking together through the Jesuit Gardens, hanging out in the Old Market and going to more movies.

They could go anywhere and have a blast together — and they did. They enjoyed many trips to Nebraska Furniture Mart, just talking and laughing.

“Creighton is a wonderful place to meet someone and fall in love because many of the students who attend Creighton have a strong set of core values and are driven to succeed academically, professionally, and personally,” Isabel said. “We feel very blessed that we were able to meet in an environment that helped us grow into the people we are today and fostered our shared values.”

Isabel and Jack married in May 2021 at St. John’s. They welcomed their son, Colin, in September. And for Isabel, she now gets to say she followed in her parents’ footsteps.

Amy (Hessenberger) Bazley, BA’90, JD’93, and John Bazley, BS’89, MD’93, met on Creighton’s campus, married and are going on 30 years together. They have six children, including Isabel.

 

Talking ‘bout, My Jay

Katie White Austin, BA’17, and Mark Austin, BA’17

Mark liked Katie. And Mark needed a date to an upcoming Phi Delta Theta party. But Mark hadn’t asked Katie yet. The timing wasn’t right.

Then one January night, out of nowhere, Katie and some friends walked into Mark’s dorm room in Swanson Hall.

What were the odds? Mark asked Katie out that night.

There were a few other random meetups and hangouts that semester. Eventually, Mark and Katie got close, started dating and fell in love.

Fate is so wonderful, isn’t it? The fate that drew Mark and Katie together in Swanson that cold Saturday night…

Except… it wasn’t fate. It was Tony.

Tony was Mark’s roommate. When he saw Katie hanging out with friends in a Swanson stairwell, he devised a plan. You see, Katie didn’t realize Tony and Mark were roommates. So Tony was truly playing matchmaker. It was one of several stealthy schemes by friends to help nudge Katie and Mark in the right direction.

“The biggest role Creighton played in building our relationship was the community of friends that encouraged and supported us,” Katie said. “As we hung out more and more, we realized we had overlapping friends who actually would intentionally try to get us to run into each other. Our community of friends were supportive and encouraging as we grew in our relationship and remain a huge part of our lives today.”

Katie and Mark married at St. John’s in 2018.

 

Summer (Previews) of love

Kate Branstetter Bracciano, BA’12, and Nick Bracciano, BA’11, MD’15

Kate and Nick didn’t see the sparks fly during their first year as Summer Preview guides together in 2009. They got along, for sure. They’d met at a training session a few months earlier and were paired up as guides to lead incoming first-year students.

Kate was super outgoing. But Nick was a bit more reserved.

They liked each other and knew they made a good Summer Preview pair. They had great chemistry as Summer Preview partners. But was there more?

They stayed close during the school year and hung out a lot. Almost a year later, in May 2010, Kate realized during her five-week study abroad trip to Spain that she missed spending time with Nick. He missed her, too.

Thank goodness for another year of Summer Preview together.

They both served as Summer Preview executives and in the weeks that followed, they soon recognized what they were feeling. Love! They started dating soon after that. They have memories together attending basketball games, holding positions as leaders of their Greek Chapters, going to date parties and so much more.

Nick proposed to Kate in the Jesuit Gardens, and they were married at St. John’s in 2015. They now reside in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with their two daugthers.

Read past Creighton love story features:

Creighton couple married after meeting again – 40 years later

Summer 2023: Six more Creighton love stories

Valentine’s Day 2023: 14 Creighton love stories

Valentine’s Day 2022: 12 Creighton love stories

Valentine’s Day 2021: 8 Creighton love stories