Schomisch and Marsh were both transfer students, looking for a school in Michigan with great programs. They both ended up at WMU in Hoekje Hall and both were involved on campus. Living in the same residence hall, the two saw each other frequently and finally met, officially, at St. Patty’s Day party hosted by Hoekje. Some friends helped to set them up for the first date—a Bronco Hockey game.
“We both loved hockey and were able to go with friends who set us up on a date,” Schomisch said. “It was so fun, all the cheering and screaming; by the end of the game we had no voices!”
Their story extends to another area of campus, the perfect spot for enjoying a view of downtown Kalamazoo. East Hall was the gathering place for couples after parties, and Schomisch and Marsh this is where they fell in love.
“It was a good place to go and talk and hang out,” Marsh said, “we are still looking for something similar in Baltimore.”
Although the couple no longer lives in the area, their October 18 wedding took place in downtown Kalamazoo, and included a photo session around campus. The music at their reception was even played by a WMU student group, the Warren Oja trio.
The day after their wedding, Schomisch and Marsh ventured back to campus to see the new Sangren Hall and other more recent changes. They also stopped at the bookstore to load up on Bronco gear.
“My favorite memory from WMU was sitting on the steps behind the Bronco Mall and having our dorm picnic after finals. We played volleyball, he skateboarded, and we ate a ton!” Schomisch recollected. “It was fun to do before having to go pack up our dorms and say goodbye for the summer. That would have been summer 2007.”
Marisa Schomisch is currently a teacher at The Calvert School and Brandon Marsh works at AOL as an interactive designer. They live in Baltimore, Maryland.
To share your WMU Story, visit MyWMU.com/mystory.