University can be life changing in many ways, for some alumni it’s also the place where they meet their love!
William and Ann Braddick
William (Geography, 1952 and Cert Ed, 1953).
Ann (English, 1952 and Cert Ed, 1953).
Bill shares: “Ann and I first met at the opening ‘hop’ of the academic year at the Washington Singer building in 1949. I came straight from my first game for the University 1st XV and snatched her from the clutches of a friend. We both graduated in 1952 and followed it with teaching diplomas.
“We married in 1954 when I was an education officer in the Royal Air Force and Ann was teaching at a girls’ boarding school. We moved several times in our early years before settling in Hertfordshire. We have four children and one followed us to Exeter as did one of our seven grandchildren. In 2024 we celebrated 70 years together!”
Phil and Clare Chapple
Phil (LLB Law, 1996).
Clare (LLB Law, 1996).
Clare shares: “Phil and I met while studying Law together. We were both in Jessie Montgomery halls at the time and were friends throughout our studies but started dating after we left university. We got married in 1999 and have just celebrated our silver wedding anniversary. We have two daughters, and we were so lucky to both find each other at Exeter and get a fantastic degree!”
Dan and Emma Richter
Dan (BA History, 2000 and MA History, 2001).
Emma (History and German, 2001).
Emma shares: “We were both in Birks halls and met early in our first year. We became friends and discovered a shared love of history, humour and football, and enjoyed deep conversations as well as me walking many times to shout up at Dan’s window to invite him for a cup of tea – another shared passion!
“We got together in 2000, engaged in 2001 and were married in 2002. Our best man was another Exeter alum, Mr Ian Wray (BA Accounting and Financial Studies, 2000). We have been married 22 years, and have four children, two dogs, six chickens and about 26,000 bees.
“Dan has been back to Exeter, as he also fell in love with Exeter City Football Club and enjoys the fact he can now combine this with a visit to our son Caleb, who is studying Spanish and Politics at Exeter.”
Steve and Alice McGeown
Steve (Accounting and Finance, 2007).
Alice (European Film and World Cinema, 2007).
Alice shares: “Steve and I met on the very first day of university. We were both in Nash Grove, and when I saw him coming up the steps to halls I immediately liked the look of him. Our rooms were across the corridor and he was indeed lovely!
“Our degrees were very different, but we have lots in common and our friendship quickly grew. After graduating, we moved to London, then five years later we came back to Devon for our wedding in 2012. Both being alumni, we married in the Mary Harris Memorial Chapel on Streatham Campus, which was special.
“Our time at Exeter was wonderful because of one another, but I also owe a lot to my dear university friend, Lydia, who passed away in March 2023. I am grateful for my university friendships and whenever I return to Streatham Campus, I am reminded both of her and when life was full of joy, learning and deep connections. Steve and I live in Exeter now and we have two children – who I hope will one day go to university, because if their experience is anything like ours, they’ll remember it fondly forever.”
Carl and Melanie Howes
Carl (PGCE, 1992).
Melanie (Education and Chemistry, 1992).
Mel shares: “Carl and I first met at St Luke’s School of Education where I was in my final year of teacher training and he was completing his PGCE. We got engaged at my graduation and were married two years later in 1994 after travelling between our respective teaching jobs. Now, 32 years on from our Exeter days, we have just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. We have two lovely children, neither of whom have gone into teaching!”
Mike and Melanie Fink
Mike (Economics year abroad, 1981-82).
Melanie (Modern Languages, 1985).
Melanie: “When I left home, my mum said it was exciting because I would meet students from all over. Little did she know that I would fall in love with a California hippy and settle down in the U.S. I quickly knew there was something special about Mike, the second time I met him I mentioned to my friend Jo, “I think it’s his eyes!”
Mike: “The summer before I left for Exeter, I had a dream that I would meet my future wife there. The first time I saw Melanie in the Hope Hall dining room, I knew she was the one! I didn’t see her again until Guy Fawkes night. We ended up running away from the burning tar barrels together in Ottery St Mary and that was the start of our relationship. After graduation, we married and started our life in Boston. It has definitely been a great adventure, including raising two daughters (and we’re excited to celebrate our 40th anniversary in 2025)!”
