News Release
Contact
Alumni Relations
320 DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE
19720
alumni@wilmu.edu
Love at WilmU
A Wildcat Love Story
For John and Kara Oliver, Wilmington University is so much more than an alma mater; it is woven into the very fabric of their personal love story. Their relationship, which started at WilmU, has blossomed into a beautiful family with an incredibly bright future. Like any great love story, it began with two strangers meeting at the right time and in the right place. In this particular story, that place just happened to be a classroom at Wilmington University.
It was Fall 2008, and the small group of dedicated students gathered for a graduate course entitled, “Organizational Theory and Design.” This course, which was taught by Melanie Baldwin, was the first course at a satellite location on Naamans Rd. During the class, Kara recalls that John had a habit of taking the seat behind her. And while she acknowledged that he was attractive, it was not until he presented his final project in a suit, that she knew that she wanted to pursue something more. It was shortly after that presentation that they began to spend more and more time together. And by the very next block they were officially dating.
The newly formed relationship was not without its shares of speed bumps, however. Kara recalls that in the first class that they shared as a couple, John decided to join a different group than hers. This decision did not work to his favor. While Kara was upset for a moment, the group John chose to join received a slightly lower grade, thus putting a tiny flaw in his otherwise spotless academic career. Kara laughingly shares, “John got what he deserved by not choosing to be in my group.”
Just a few years later, in the Summer of 2011, John and Kara officially became husband and wife. At their wedding they decorated the tables with memorabilia from important times and events in their history, and among them was a tribute to Wilmington University! This wonderful couple soon became a family with the birth of their first child, and this family is now growing even larger with the expectation of another baby on the way!
Yes, John and Kara love Wilmington University and say that they will always have a special place in their heart for the school where they met. Kara loves the school so much that she has returned as an adjunct instructor. And with one child here and another on the way, we are sure to see more chapters added to this WildCat Love Story in the future! Stay Tuned!
