Manchester has a long tradition of celebrating those who met here , fell in love , got married and built a life together . In this issue of Manchester , we are also celebrating connections that come from shared passions , service , friendship , traditions and community .
Did you form a special connection while at Manchester ? Please share a photo and short description of your Manchester Connection by emailing alumnioffice @ manchester . edu with the subject line “ Manchester Connections .”
During the summer of 2023 , Professor of Social Work Barb Burdge and Director of Disability Services Mia Miller were traveling with their families out west , stopping at various National Parks . They booked a rafting trip one afternoon on the Colorado River at Glen Canyon in Arizona , and they were shocked to discover their rafting guide would be Savana Case ’ 23 , who had just graduated from Manchester a few weeks before . Miller had been her success advisor .
Philip ’ 64 and LaDonna Shively Compton ’ 65 were married in Petersime Chapel on Aug . 1 , 1964 – officiated by both Al Deeter , professor of religion and philosophy , and Rev . John Petrie , LaDonna ’ s home church pastor . Bob Peffers ’ 64 was the groomsman . John Gwinn ’ 64 and Stephen
Herroff ’ 64 were ushers . They will celebrate their 60th anniversary this August .
Carol Trissell ’ 69 Stull was “ lost and homesick ” when Rex Miller ’ 69 and friends Jim Stull ’ 69 and Jack Buchanan decided to make it their mission to help her adjust to college life . They kept her company during meals , included her in their activities , and Jim helped her with chemistry . When Jim ’ s fiancé sent back her engagement ring , Carol and Jim became more than friends . During junior year spring break , the four drove to Orlando , Florida . The guys stayed with Rex ’ s parents and Carol stayed next door with his aunt . One evening as Jim and Carol sat outside on the lawn between the two houses , Jim proposed . They married a year and a half later on August 16th .
Vera Winger ’ 52 and Tom Swantner ’ 54 met at a mixer during their first weekend at Manchester . There was a dance , and whoever
met in the middle of the floor were partners for the night . Tom and Vera were hit by kismet when they met . A week later , they were engaged . In June of 1951 , they were wed .
Both Kim ’ 76 and Becki Swantner Heusel ’ 76 , daughter of Vera Winger ’ 52 , were selected for A Cappella Choir for their freshman year and came a week early to rehearse for the opening convocation in September . Kim sat two rows behind Becki . For the first hour or so of rehearsal , he only saw the back of her head and her hair that reached her waist , and he thought it was pretty . “ He was okay with the face when he saw that , too ,” Becki said . They began dating at Christmas of 1972 , went to Europe with Professor Holsinger during January session of 1974 , and married in August of 1975 , between their junior and senior years .
Steve Shaum ’ 89 held a few jobs over six years after graduating , before then Vice President for Enrollment Dave McFadden ’ 82 hired him as an admissions counselor . After more than eight years in admissions at Manchester , he left for an admissions position in Ithaca , New York . This then led him to Cornell University , where he served as a career and academic advisor for more than 18 years . “ Manchester opened a door for me when I was admitted as a transfer student after really struggling academically for a year at another college . . . In all , I ’ ve been in higher education administration for over 28 years . I owe it to Manchester for giving me a chance , not once , but twice ,” Shaum said .
Deanna and Sam Unger ’ 71 were married in Petersime Chapel in 1969 . While Deanna did not attend Manchester herself , she participated in a small group for spouses of Manchester students .
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