Editor’s note: This is the final of a four-part series examining weddings in Athens.
From a Court Street proposal to alumni vow renewals, Bobcat love endures beyond Ohio University couples’ college years.
Though Athens County has seen slightly fewer marriages in the past 15 years, both recent graduates and alumni of 50 years continue to turn to Athens for marriage memories.
In the past 15 years, there have been 12,364 marriages in Athens County, according to Athens County marriage records. This is slightly less than Wood County — home of Bowling Green University — with 12,526 marriages and Portage County — home of Kent State University — with 14,776 marriages.
Jonah Likover, a 2010 alumnus, incorporated an Athens landmark into his proposal. On Sept. 22, he convinced his girlfriend and fellow 2010 alumna Lori Biggs to travel back to Athens with him.
As they walked down Court Street, Likover made a special stop at The Athena and popped the question by pointing to the phrase “Lori, will you marry me, love Jonah”, displayed on the theater’s marquee.
The two met during their freshman year in Bush Hall and began dating their sophomore year. Now, about four years later, the couple plans to wed in July 2013.
“It was such a unique proposal and he really did catch me completely off guard,” Biggs said. “I’m never going to forget it.”
Over a pair of the Red Brick Tavern’s signature Mega Mugs, 2009 OU graduates Jessi and Barrett Way “stumbled across each other.” Three years later, the couple married in Athens because of their shared memories in the college town.
“We knew having our wedding in Athens would be a guaranteed fun weekend for everybody,” Jessi said. “I don’t think it would have been as successful anywhere else.”
This past year, the OU Alumni Association began holding vow renewal ceremonies to celebrate the marriages of alumni. The “OH I dO” ceremony costs $15 and takes place during Alumni College and Homecoming Weekends.
After this Saturday’s Homecoming ceremony, 80 couples will have participated, said Erica Lipscomb, assistant director of Regional Programs.
Tom and Callie Schmidt, who graduated in 1959 and 1960, respectively, renewed their vows during the OH I dO’s ceremony this past year.
The two met during the first week of Callie’s freshman year in 1956. Although they started out as friends and each saw other people, their relationship eventually became romantic. After graduating, they married in 1963.
“During our college years, we not only did a lot of learning, but also a lot of growing,” Callie said.
With their 50th wedding anniversary approaching next year, the Schmidts would like to take part in the ceremony again if given the chance.
“It was really kind of romantic,” Callie said. “It was really very, very nice.”
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