Charger Love is in the air at UAH

Love is in the air on the campus of The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH).

Charger Amour is Friday, Feb. 5, from 6 p.m., to 9 p.m., in the university's Conference Training Center Exhibit Hall. UAH couples will enjoy an evening of Dinner, Dancing, and the ChargerWed Game where alumni couples will test their knowledge of each other to compete for prizes. Many students go from classmates to soul mates while attending UAH. Charger Amour celebrates our many charger alumni couples. Couples are encouraged to share their story and photos at surveymonkey.com/r/ChargerCouples. Below are a few of the romantic "How We Met" Stories:

• Tammy Wenslow and Shane Smith lived across the hall from each other in the Central Campus Residence Hall. The two enrolled in the Student Launch Initiative class and "built a rocket" together. "He worked on avionics while I worked on the structure," she said. Their courtship, engagement and wedding can only be described as magical. The two got engaged at the Ringling Brothers Circus at the Von Braun Circus. Shane proposed in the center ring at the "before show," and it was a complete surprise. The two were married at Rock City in Chattanooga in 2004. The reception took place on the Southern Belle Riverboat, and "we rode away to our hotel in a horse-drawn carriage. Such a romantic day!" Today, Tammy and Shane Smith are both employed at UAH. "Stick with it -both your relationship and your studies," Tammy said. "It will be worth it in the end. I wish all new UAH couples the best. Thank you, UAH, for being such a big part of our lives!"
• Lori Mann's fondest memory of being a student at UAH is meeting her husband, J.W. Bruce II. The two met while students in Dr. Alexander Poularika's class on Signals and Systems. "We fell in love with each other while studying mathematical convolution and Fourier transforms-nerdy but true," said Lori. While walking on campus one night, the two came across some freshly poured cement. "I'm a bit embarrassed to admit it, but we inserted our initials (JWB + LAM). I believe it was in the sidewalk where there is now a traffic circle (Knowledge Drive) entering campus. I'd be very curious to know if it is still there!" Dr. Lori Mann Bruce is Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Associate Vice President and Dean of Graduate School at Mississippi State University (MSU). Dr. J.W. Bruce II is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at MSU.
• Courtney Stratton and Jonathon Wilson were classmates in a mixed undergraduate/graduate course in the UAH College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences in fall 2011. The two talked in class and, would pick up the conversation as they walked to their cars-often parked close by. Surprisingly, Courtney didn't know Jonathon's name. "I really liked him, so one evening I peered over his shoulder as he wrote his name on a class paper. I checked him out on social media and sent him a friend request. As the saying goes, the rest is history." The two "loved" hanging out in the library or outside Morton Hall. Courtney and Jonathon even took some of their engagement pictures outside both buildings. "We got engaged here at UAH! I was in the Delta Zeta sorority and Jonathon knew how much my sisterhood and UAH meant to me," Courtney said. "So, when it came time to pop the question, he made sure both were incorporated." Jonathon proposed to Courtney in from of my sorority after a meeting. "He totally surprised me when he walked into the room in from of everyone. It was so sweet and romantic!" Courtney and Jonathon have been married for nearly three years.

In addition to celebrating Charger couples this month, we're also celebrating our love for UAH. T.R.U.E. Chargers Student Alumni Association is excited to host the fourth annual Charger Love Day. On Sunday, Feb. 14, all UAH students, alumni, faculty, and staff are encouraged to take to social media and tell the world why you love UAH! Stop by our table on campus (Friday, 2/12, in Charger Union or Saturday, 2/13, at the T.R.U.E. Chargers Student & Alumni Tailgate) or take to the web to show your Charger pride and tell us why you love UAH! Post on our facebook page or tweet using #ChargerLove.

Rachel Osby, T.R.U.E. Chargers Advisor and Senior Director of Alumni Relations says, "Charger Love Day began, and continues, as a student-led effort to show love and admiration for UAH and the memories that are made here. What do you love most about UAH? Maybe it's a close friend, favorite professor, campus event, or favorite campus spot. Share your reason on social media this Valentine's Day using #ChargerLove." For more details, visit uah.edu/truechargers.