To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we’re highlighting Panther couples who prove that some campus connections are meant to last. From unexpected meet‑cutes in classrooms and clubs to lifelong partnerships, while many things change, for these alumni, one thing is certain: Always a Panther, Forever My Valentine.
2000s
Sara (Parent) Fieberg ’01, ’09 M.S. & Dirk Fieberg ’01, ’03 M.S.
Dirk first noticed Sara in their Learning Strategies class, but it wasn’t until two weeks into their freshman year—while walking from the Science Tower to P133—that fate stepped in.
Sara suddenly felt she had to talk to the guy walking in front of her, and that moment sparked their first conversation. The connection was instant for both, and a friendship quickly formed.
About a month later, they made it official, and they’ve been together since 1997.
College was an incredible chapter they experienced side by side, spending most of their time with the College Players and building a lifelong circle of friends who feel like family.
One especially unforgettable moment: In 2001, they were crowned Homecoming king and queen—an honor they got to share.
Married in 2006 at “the happiest place on Earth,” Dirk and Sara now have two children, Lexie (17) and Oliver (13). After beginning their life together in Florida, they moved to Massachusetts to start their family and eventually returned to the area in 2021.
Dirk has built his career in the LED lighting industry, including a highlight designing the light installation for One World Trade Center. In 2015, he co‑founded Arctic Rays with fellow Panther Lee Frey ’99, ’02 M.S., and the company was recently acquired in 2024.
Sara spent many years as a stay‑at‑home mom and dedicated volunteer. After moving back to Florida, she joined Arctic Rays as the office manager for finance and human resources until its acquisition. She recently transitioned into a new role, continuing her work in the accounting field.
2010s
Tyler (Heckman) Bailey ’16, ’17 MBA, ’19 M.S. & Ryan Bailey ’15, ’17 M.S., ’18 MBA
Tyler and Ryan first met at an ugly sweater lacrosse party in fall 2014—both wearing the same ugly sweater, which made for a memorable introduction. Throughout spring 2015, they grew closer, and by graduation day that same spring, they officially began dating.
Today, they’re raising their 3‑year‑old son, Jacob. Tyler is a partner at Flavin, Nooney & Person CPA and wealth advisors, where she originally started as an intern during her time in the Bisk College of Business. Ryan is the CEO of Myelai, where he’s focused on building implementation intelligence for B2B companies.
Bridgette Rasmussen ’18, ’20 M.S. & Thore Rasmussen ’18, ’19 M.S.
Bridgette and Thore first met as freshmen in the Residence Halls Association, and their dynamic was unmistakable from the start—Bridgette happily chatting away, and Thore … not so much. In fact, they hardly spoke that entire first year.
But everything changed in summer 2015, when both stepped into their new roles as resident assistants.
On the first day of training, Thore noticed Bridgette sitting alone at lunch, quietly recharging, and chose to sit with her. That simple decision sparked a connection that has grown ever since. The rest, as they say, is history.
Bridgette and Thore now call Savannah, Georgia, home, living life to the fullest. They still travel whenever possible, recently celebrated a year in their new house, and continue to chase laughter, adventure and joy together. And in a perfectly full‑circle way—Bridgette still talks plenty, and Thore remains the delightful secret goofball he’s always been.
2020s
Lauren-Ann Graham ’20, ’23 M.S. & Andrew Chrustic ’22
Lauren-Ann and Andrew first met as Orientation leaders, where they were both preparing to welcome new Panthers to campus. During opening week of training, they were asked to participate in a “speed‑dating” team‑building exercise to help them get to know their fellow leaders. Well … it worked! What started as a simple icebreaker turned into something far more meaningful, and they’ve now been together for four wonderful years.
Today, they are both building careers in the aerospace engineering industry and enjoying life together in Florida—still Panthers at heart.
Melanie Matos ’20, ’21 M.S & Jacob Liberman ’21
Melanie and Jacob both lived in Columbia Village (Brown Hall—shout out!) and became best friends during the first week freshman year. Their friendship grew from there, and before long, they were joining Greek Life together (Phi Sig & Sig Tau!).
In December 2017, they finally started dating and have been together ever since.
These days, they share their home with their two beloved kitty cats, Tofu and Miso. They’re engaged and so excited to get married and spend forever together.
Michaela Foley ’21, ’25 Ph.D. & Mitchell Spalding ’20, ’24 MBA
Michaela and Mitchell first crossed paths in 2017 at a Chi Phi campus event, where a simple introduction soon grew into a genuine campus connection. Their friendship blossomed through shared study sessions and spirited ping‑pong matches in Evans Hall.
Before long, Mitch invited Michaela to Chi Phi’s Christmas semiformal—where he also asked her to be his girlfriend.
Throughout their years at Florida Tech, they remained deeply involved in student life, contributing to Student Government Association, Campus Activities Board, InterFraternity Council, the Orientation team and several other organizations. Their partnership strengthened alongside their campus leadership, and the rest is history.
Now, Mitchell is a first officer at Endeavor Air and is set to upgrade to captain this year.
Michaela earned her Ph.D. in May 2025 and accepted a position as a molecular biologist in cell and gene therapy with Eurofins PSS Insourcing Solutions—a role that brought the couple to Philadelphia and out of the Florida sunshine.
After nearly eight years together, Mitchell proposed in the stunning Stoneleigh gardens in Villanova, Pennsylvania, marking the start of their next beautiful chapter.
Carolynne Garutti ’21, ’21, ’23 M.S. & David Cisek ’19
David and his now‑fiancée Carolynne first crossed paths in their Physics I course during summer 2018. David sat in the back of the classroom, quietly observing as she color‑coded her notes with perfect focus in the front row. That summer sparked something special, and on Aug. 5, 2018, they officially began dating.
Now, they are preparing to get married this December!
Over the years, they’ve adopted four beloved kitties—truly their little family.
Florida Tech gave them their first home together and introduced them to a lifelong circle of best friends who will now stand beside them at their wedding. They’ll always be grateful for that summer Physics course that started it all.
Taylor Carlson ’25 & Brett Glock ’25
Taylor and Brett met during their freshman fall semester through a shared friend group—brought together, in part, by the fact that they both lived in Columbia Village. Their first real time spent together was on a Florida Tech trip to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, and not long after that unforgettable night, they began dating.
Throughout their time at Florida Tech, they balanced their academic commitments with plenty of fun, making the most of their college experience. From spontaneous beach trips to regular visits to Disney and Universal, they built a relationship shaped by laughter, adventure and Panther Pride. Both graduated in 2025, and now, more than four years later, their story continues to grow.
Now, Brett is working as a mechanical engineer at Manifest Engineering, while Taylor is a software engineer with IBR. They still enjoy visits to the beach and Universal and are excited for the future ahead, continuing to write their story—one adventure at a time.
Alexandra Staros ’25 & Cannon Bogar ’25
Alexandra and Cannon met at a Sustainability Outdoors Adventure Recreation Survival (S.O.A.R.S.) meeting and quickly grew close—an instant connection. Their first date was nothing short of magical: watching sea turtles hatch under a blood moon during peak bioluminescent season. Truly a perfect beginning.
Today, they’re both working at NSWC Carderock in Maryland—one as a scientist and the other as an engineer. They recently got engaged at the National Cathedral and are happily living their best lives together.
