
College Love Stories: Carsen & Chris, Michigan
Jan 16, 2025
College love is truly special—not only because it creates a lifelong connection, but because it’s rooted in the spirit of your school. Once intertwined, it's a bond that remains unbreakable. Did you find love in college? We can't wait to hear all about your College Love Stories (romantic, BFFs, generational and everything in between)!
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Meet Carsen Koviak (soon to be Carsen Kennedy in May) and Chris Kennedy. Carsen majored in Nursing and Chris in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology - what a duo! Today, Carsen works as a nurse at Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor and Chris is working on his PhD in Molecular and Integrative Physiology, still at Michigan!
KC: How did you meet? Where?
C & C: We first met at our introductory meeting for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars our freshman year (which we now call “nerd club”). This first meeting was held at the Rackham Graduate School Building which is later where Chris proposed since it was the first place we met.
KC: What significance does Michigan hold for you?
C & C: The school overall is very significant to us both through our family history and personal growth. Multiple generations of each of our families had been students and faculty at various times, dating back to the 1930s. Chris’ grandfather worked for the university for nearly 40 years and signed numerous diplomas, and he signed my uncle’s diploma from the university back in 1990. So, the University of Michigan holds incredible significance for us both.
KC: Do you think you would have ever met if it weren't for your school? Why or why not?
C & C: We highly doubt we would have met had it not been for the University of Michigan. I grew up in Virginia and he grew up in Massachusetts and our future career aspirations brought us to the university, where we found each other.
KC: What's your favorite thing to do together? Why?
C & C: Our favorite thing to do is attend Michigan hockey and football games (both while we were undergrad students and now as alumni) and try out all of the Ann Arbor restaurants for date night. The city of Ann Arbor holds a special place in our hearts.
KC: What advice would you give incoming first-years about meeting other people and relationships/friendships?
Don't be afraid to attend events alone. Chris and I both attended our first “nerd club” meeting alone, which started this whole story. Our relationship developed because we both had season tickets to the Michigan Hockey games but would both go alone because none of our other friends liked hockey, so we started going together.
Thank you Carsen and Chris for sharing your serendipitous Love Story with us. We can't wait to see where your love and careers are headed! <3