We met at TU

Seven stories of love and friendship that began at Towson University over the past 50 years

By Rebecca Kirkman on February 13, 2019

We asked our university community to tell us the stories of important relationships that began at Towson U.

The result? Seven heart-warming stories of friendship and love—from a couple reconnecting after more than 40 years to best friends traveling the world—just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Bev Norwood ’68 and Doug Norwood ’67

Doug and Bev Norwood were named the Towson University (then Towson State College) Sweetheart Couple of 1967. The Sweetheart Court was announced as part of the Sweetheart Dance, held annually around Valentine’s Day in the 1960s and 1970s.

The pair married in August 1968, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary last year. Very active while students—both served on the SGA board—the couple remains invested in the TU community as alumni. Recently, Bev served on the TU Alumni Association board.

David Farnham ’74 and Janet Farnham ’74

David and Janet Farnham met at TU (then Towson State College) in 1973. After graduating, the couple lived together, and Janet moved with David to the U.K. for graduate school. When David joined the Marine Corps, Janet returned to Baltimore and the couple lost touch.

In June 2016, Janet found David through mutual friends on Facebook. “We reconnected as if the intervening 40-plus years had just been a long weekend,” says David. The couple married in Williamsburg, Virginia, in December 2016.

TU alumni at Orioles game — Chip and Suzanne Burton, bottom left, with friends made at TU.

Chip Burton ’87 and Suzanne Peters Burton ’87/’91

The founding of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Mu Sigma Chapter, at then-Towson State University in 1984 sparked lifelong friendships—and romances.

“Many of these ‘founding fathers’ probably never realized they would not only find some of their lifelong friends at Towson, but they would also meet the love of their life as well,” recalls Suzanne Peters Burton, who married Kappa Sigma founding member Chip Burton in March 1989.

Fifteen couples from the founding Kappa Sigma class remain together today and have stayed close over the past 30-plus years. They get together for monthly happy hours and special occasions including birthdays, weddings, Opening Day at Orioles Park and TU Homecoming. A member of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, Suzanne gives back to the TU community by serving as an alumni advisor at the TU chapter today.

Al Tyler ’95 and Maggie Bove Tyler ’96

Tiger athletics brought Al and Maggie Tyler together. Both lacrosse players, Maggie and Al were introduced by a mutual friend and fellow lacrosse player, Bob Doherty ’95, during their sophomore year. The couple married in 1997.

“We still live in Towson and have three boys—Ryan, 17, Hayden, 14, and Alex, 11,” says Maggie. The couple remain active alumni, attending events like a recent Tiger Honors and Hall of Fame Induction, pictured above.

Kate Madariaga ’13/’15 and Rebecca Madariaga ’13

Kate and Rebecca Madariaga both lived on the same floor of West Hall (now the Health and Counseling Center at Ward & West) during their freshman year in 2009.

The biology and graphic design majors, respectively, hit it off from the start after discovering they had tickets to attend the same concert the following week.

“We started dating shortly after we met and got married this past October,” says Rebecca Madariaga.

Sylvia Otieno ’16 and Dominique Overman ’17

Honors College orientation groups sorted by last name may have brought Dominique Overman ’17 and Sylvia Otieno ’16 together, but random chance sealed their friendship.

“Our cars were one behind the other on freshman move-in day,” recalls Overman. “We hugged each other in excitement and left our parents’ cars to get our keys to Douglass House.”

Both women dove into leadership opportunities on campus, becoming residence advisers and attending the Black Student Leadership and Women in Leadership conferences.

Today, Overman and Otieno are in graduate school pursing careers with an international focus. “While our goals sent us all over world, including Indonesia, the Bahamas, Singapore and Japan, we always maintained contact and supported each other,” says Overman. “This summer we will be celebrating our lucky seven-years-of-friendship anniversary with a trip to Kenya!”