Here at AU, we’re all about ensuring you get a quality education. Our priority is making sure you feel at home here and that you’re equipped for your journey, but a sweet byproduct of this mission is that we get to bear witness to some amazing love stories. If you’ve spent any time around AU, you’ve probably heard of the white swings. Throughout AU’s history, couples have sat on the white swings to talk, dream, and spend time together. Legend has it that if a couple sits together on the white swings three times, they’re destined to get married. Whether you’re hoping for a ring by spring or just chilling with your friends this Valentine’s Day, we hope you’ll enjoy these stories of eight incredible couples whose love stories began at AU. 

 

Nathan & Ashley Neighbors, Class of 98 and 99 

Our love story is deeply intertwined with Anderson University. Though we were high school sweethearts from Florence, our years at Anderson were where our relationship truly flourished. Many afternoons were spent on the campus swings, dreaming about our future together in ministry. 

Valentine’s Day 1998 became a night we would never forget. The BCM hosted a dance in the foyer of the Merritt Administration Building, complete with a live swing band—a perfect setting for the moment I would ask Ashley to be my wife. 

In the weeks leading up to the proposal, I met with President Royce to ask for permission to arrange a special dinner in the boardroom on the second floor of Merritt.  He and his wife were more than happy to help, keeping the secret with great care. The food service staff joined in on the surprise, preparing and serving a beautiful meal on the college’s fine china, making the evening even better. When Ashley said yes, we walked downstairs to the dance, where dozens of our friends eagerly awaited the news. 

For a time, our love story became part of Anderson’s history. Ashley’s bridal portrait, taken on the front lawn of campus, hung in the President’s home as a reminder of that special Anderson University Valentine’s night in 1998. 

On June 19, 1999, we were married, surrounded by our families, dear friends, beloved faculty, and even President Royce and his wife. After our honeymoon, we set out on the next chapter—seminary and a life dedicated to ministry. Now, more than twenty-five years of marriage later, we continue to serve together, forever grateful for the place where our story began.  We are currently serving in youth ministry back in our hometown of Florence at Ebenezer Baptist Church.  In honor of our college home, we named the first of our three sons, Anderson. 

 

Chase & Ashley Stone, Class of 1998, 2001 

Chase Stone and Ashley Mantooth met at Anderson College in the fall of 1998 in Mrs. Wood’s Western Civilization class. They visited the library together to work on assignments and discussed world headlines that earned them extra credit in class. Chase was a graphic design major and was on the golf team, and Ashley was a music education major and sang in the choir.  

Chase graduated in December of 1998, and the following March, after being encouraged on a date by roommates, they began dating. Ashley graduated in 2001, taught at Calhoun Academy, and Chase worked at the Anderson Independent Newspaper. They were married in December 2002. They even took their engagement pictures on the front lawn and in the swings of course!  

When they had their third son, they wanted AU to be part of their family, so Noah was given the name “Watkins” as his middle name, since mom and dad met in the Watkins building. 

Chase returned to AU and received his Masters of Ministry Degree on their 10th anniversary, Dec. 14, 2012. He now serves as an Associate Pastor at Concord Baptist Church. Since then, Ashley has come on staff as the director of Teaching Fellows, and Chase is an adjunct teacher in Christian Studies. Their oldest son, Guy, is a current AU student, and their middle son, Eli, plans to attend in the fall. They spend many days and evenings here at AU sports and school of the arts events. Eli even performed in a few shows as a child actor. If it wasn’t for Anderson University, Mrs. Woods, and a few persistent friends, the Stone family wouldn’t exist. We are so thankful that AU was and is part of God’s plan for their lives! 

 

Luis & Hollins Martinez, Class of 2010 

For Luis and Hollins Martinez, Anderson University is more than just the place where they earned their degrees—it’s where their love story began. 

In the spring of 2009, a mutual friend, Maggie Hill Frick, introduced Luis, a junior, to Hollins, a sophomore. From the very beginning, Luis knew there was something special about her. Their first date was simple—just outside the old student center, the Canteen—but in that moment, Luis already sensed he had found the person he wanted to spend his life with. 

Anderson’s traditions became an important part of their journey, especially the white swings nestled between Merritt Hall and Vandiver. Known as a place where couples would sit, talk, and dream, the swings became a meaningful backdrop in their relationship. 

By the summer of 2010, Luis was ready to take the next step. He chose the most fitting place to propose—the spot where it all began. Outside the Canteen, he asked Hollins to marry him, and she said yes. 

Fourteen years later, their Anderson story continues. Now parents to three daughters—10-year-old twins, Sophia and Elaine, and their youngest, Lillian, who is 6—Luis and Hollins often reflect on how their time at Anderson shaped their lives. Whether visiting campus or sharing stories with their children, they are reminded of how seemingly small moments built the foundation of something extraordinary. 

For the Martinez family, Anderson University isn’t just part of their past—it’s a place woven into their love, their family, and their future. 

 

Donald and Toni Ann Roller, Class of 2019 

I moved to AU in August of 2016, something I had been looking forward to for years! On move-in day, I met Donald in our transfer student alpha group and we immediately hit it off. We were inseparable! We both were business majors and both studied supply chain management. In 2018 we got engaged on the Front Lawn, which is where we fell in love over the course of the previous two years. Donald soon after was diagnosed with Epilepsy and began having daily seizures, which was a challenge that we faced for nearly 5 years that made our bond and connection even stronger. We have now been married almost 6 years! We live within walking distance of Anderson University which is so sweet for us to frequently visit the place we fell in love. We are so blessed that we found each other! 

 

James and Sierra Glymph, Class of 2021, 2022 

My husband James and I both graduated from AU, but probably would not have met due to differences in our majors; I was nursing, he was graphic design. Thankfully, I started going to his church along with some close friends. One of my best friends met him first and told me that she had met the male version of me, and that we needed to meet because we were either going to be dating or best friends (both of which she got right!) She told me to come to the student center one day to meet him, and that became one of our main hang out spot as we got to know each other. We started dating in December of 2018 and got married 10/01/22. We did our first look in front of Merritt, and our family and wedding party pictures, as well as my bridal portraits, were done on campus. We have stayed local in the upstate and still love going for walks around campus when time allows. 

 

Corey and Sarah Mansfield, Class of 2022, 2023 

Corey and I met at Base Camp, and from the start, it felt like God kept putting us in each other’s path. We always ended up in the same studio classes and spent hours hanging out with our mutual friends.

And then there were the white swings. We sat on them three times, and according to campus legend, that meant we were going to get married. Turns out, it was right. 

One night, after finishing our drawing homework, a slow song came on our playlist. When we went to hug goodbye, we got up and ended up slow dancing in the Rainey courtyard under the stars. It wasn’t planned, but it felt like everything was falling into place. That was the moment I knew—I wanted him to be mine. 

No matter how many times James Hanson swore his group assignments were random, Corey and I always ended up together. By our second semester, we somehow had every class together. At that point, it was obvious—God had a plan for us. 

We each had our own mentors—Professor Kanaris, our painting professor, and Professor Nelsen, my photography professor. They shaped us, challenged us, and helped us grow in our faith, both individually and together. We can attribute so much of our success to their teachings, both spiritually and academically.

And then there was our first date—hands down, one of my favorite days. We went to buy art supplies for our foundations class. That might not sound like much, but for two art majors, it was the perfect way to start. It was simple, it was fun, and it was one of the first times we realized just how much we loved being together.

At Fall Fest 2018, we met up and ended up in line for the Ferris wheel. My friend Liv was in front of us. She turned to me and asked if we were together. Instinctively, I said yes, before I even realized the words had left my mouth. That night, we made it official. I held Corey’s hand as we rode transit back to the main campus with CH. 

Right before graduation, Corey proposed in the studios—the place that meant the most to us. It was where I poured myself into photography, where Corey built his skills in painting and drawing, and where we spent so much of our time together. Even Scott Taylor teared up when he saw my ring.

Currently we are living in Anderson; I am working at The Woodshop of Anderson, a custom cabinetry business. Corey is currently working at our alma mater as the Print Production Specialist for the Marketing and Communication team.

Looking back, our time at AU shaped us in so many ways. It’s where we found our passion, our closest friends, and most importantly, each other. Anderson University wasn’t just where we went to school—it’s where our forever started. 

 

Caleb Daniels and Britney Bailey, Class of 2023 

It’s 2019 at Mountain Spring Baptist Church in Anderson, South Carolina. Caleb, a freshman, spots Britney, a sophomore, and is struck by her beauty and poise. Caleb was a computing and data analytics major who was on the AU Men’s Soccer team, and Britney was a mathematics and engineering major on the AU Women’s Basketball team. They became friends and got to know each other better. Britney grew romantic feelings for Caleb, but she was adamant about not making the first move. After several months of counsel and prayer from each of them, Caleb pursued Britney.

Their most memorable date came when it snowed on campus and classes were canceled. Both living near each other in the Townhomes, they woke up and ran outside for a snowball fight! After some hot chocolate and a lot of laughs, they went on a walk while the snow was falling all around them. They spent their time watching movies in the Student Center study rooms and studying in Watkins. Caleb graduated Summa Cum Laude and Britney graduated Magna Cum Laude. After graduation, they both started working in Columbia, SC. Caleb brought Britney back to AU to propose in the Rainey Gardens. They are excited about getting married this summer! 

 

Skylar and Emory Ford, Class of 2025 

Skylar and I met on the very first day of alpha groups. I thought he was too cool for me, but he was interested from the start. We kept connecting throughout all the Welcome Week events like West Fest and Beach Bash. Beach Bash was where everything changed for us. My birthday was the next day, and we hung out the whole night and he made sure to sing me ‘happy birthday’ at midnight. The next day was our first date. He bought me cookie cake and we ate it in front of the student center. We were inseparable after that night and got engaged a year later and married a few months after that. Six months after our wedding we were lucky enough to be the first married couple to win homecoming court Fall 23′ as Mr. and “Mrs.” Junior. We’re going to graduate next to each other this May with degrees in dance and graphic design and then will celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary a few days later! We’re so grateful that AU brought us together and it will always be a part of our story! 

 

View more photos on Instagram here.