BSU Love Stories - N-R

Bishop Joel Peebles (‘92) and Pastor Ylawnda Peebles (‘96)

Being in the right place at the right time begins the Peebles Bulldog Love Story. While Ylawnda sat in choir rehearsal reading a book at church, Joel tapped her on the shoulder, asking what was she doing there, to engage her in conversation.

Ylawnda’s family attended Jericho Baptist Church, later known as Jericho City of Praise Church (today Jericho City of Praise Family Ministries), and after several encounters there, Joel introduced himself as the pastor’s son. He was enamored not only by Ylawnda’s beauty and prowess, and the fact that she wasn’t caught up in his family’s prominence in the church.

After graduating high school, Ylawnda’s was slated to follow her family’s legacy and attend North Carolina Central, but Joel told her, “You can’t go.” She followed her heart and they both attended Bowie State University. This began their journey at Bowie State University, their beloved alma mater. 

Their love flourished during their college years and they were married on Friday, October 8, 1993 at 7 p.m. They celebrated their silver anniversary in 2017, and are the proud parents of four children, Joel Jr., Janay, Jordan and Jeremiah. Their son, Joel Jr. is a legacy in the making and is a current student at Bowie State University.

Marcus (‘12, ‘16) & Tamisha J. Ponder (‘09)

I met Marcus on May 2, 2009, the week before I graduated from Bowie State University. I was SGA President at the time and he was a few years younger than me. Our administration threw a pre-finals party in the McKeldin Gym and he had just crossed Omega Psi Phi a few days prior. His line brothers made it their mission to introduce us (after an initial Facebook message six months prior), and we clicked immediately.

On January 1, 2014, Marcus proposed to me in front of the BSU torch with our friends, family, faculty and staff present! We married on June 5, 2015 and continue to be avid supporters and donors to our beloved Alma Mater. Marcus is a two-time graduate and I worked at BSU for several years following graduation. We love Bowie State because BSU has done so much for us! Here's to ten years of puppy love - Sigma Gamma Rho and Omega Psi Phi!

Alfonzo Powell (‘69, ‘79, ‘93) & Valorie Powell (‘72, ‘82, ‘92)

I entered Bowie State University the summer of 1968. The next day after my arrival, I was in the cafeteria having lunch and in walked Alfonzo. I remember exactly what he was wearing (navy blue shorts, a burgundy golf shirt, penny loafers with no socks and his bucket omega cap). I took one look and said to myself, "I am going to marry that man."

The next day I was walking through the student union and saw Alfonzo standing on top of a table doing the twist. I thought to myself, "maybe not." A day later, Alfonzo's fraternity brother from Culpepper stopped by Kennard Hall to say hello and Alfonzo was with him (karma....maybe?). We immediately became friends. Our personalities jelled. We love people, being with family, having fun, traveling, working hard to accomplish our dreams and above all, we love Bowie State!

We became engaged in 1969 and married in 1971. We have two sons and six grandchildren. Our youngest son, Dameon is an Omega Man and a BSU alumnus. After 48 years of marriage, we continue to thank BSU for delivering us to destiny's doorstep.

Charles & Michelle Quigley (‘10)

Charles and I met at in the Wiseman game room my senior year. He apparently had his eye on me since my freshman year. We dated from May 2010 until we were engaged in May 2014! We were married in August of 2015!

 

 

Kayla Rayford (‘17) & Bruce Reeves (‘18)

We met at New Student Orientation during the summer before our freshman year in 2013. One of our mutual friends brought Bruce and a few others around as well and we formed a huge friend group. We always hung out together as a group and we were fairly close.

I knew Bruce was very sweet, funny, and kind and as time went on, I began to develop feelings for him. We started dating our junior year at Bowie State and we've been together ever since. We support each other and continue to be best friends and in love. As time goes on, I've become so thankful to have him in my life, supporting and uplifting me. I look forward to our lives together. I love you, Bruce.

Warren Reid (‘12) & Shadra Reid (‘11)

Shadra and I met at Bowie State University in 2007. We were both in the BSU Gospel Choir under the direction of Dr. Joan Hillsman. I remember getting ready to sing for Coronation, and I believe she was about to sing "How I Got Over" by Mahalia Jackson when she piqued my interest.

Our friend Leasia hooked us up and we went on our first date at the Golden Pavilion at BSU. We dated for maybe three months and then broke up. We got back together in 2011 and have been together ever since!

We were married on September of 2014 in the presence of our friends that we met at BSU. We've been married for almost 5 years and have one daughter, Braelee, and one on the way, Marie. Bowie State University is our foundation!

Kenneth Robinson (‘92) & Angela Reynolds-Robinson (‘92)

In the fall of 1989, Shawn Estell and I went to the gym for freshman registration. It was there that I first saw Angela. I actually turned to my friend and told her that I was going to make Angela my girl. It took me a couple of weeks to locate her because she stayed in Towers Hall. We soon became good friends. I’d come to see here every day at 2 p.m. – yes before visitation, but everyone knew me and I was a good guy. Angela would leave her door open and we’d sit and talk or do homework. This went on for about six weeks. On a Friday in late October, before the Saturday football game, I met her best friend that attended a school in Baltimore. That night, she informed me that we went together. LOL

Although Angela was an education major and I was a business major, we managed to take a few classes together. During my junior year, I hid a ring in her purse — a promise ring of sorts. It took her some time (and me as well for that matter) to get use to the idea. As the years followed I looked more and more forward to being with her forever. Funny thing was, I began to hate the fact that she’d have summers off while I was working. I applied to Teach for America with a number of other BSU students, but I was the only one accepted.

She graduated in May of 1993 and we were married that December. I’ve been an educator at Hendley Elementary School — my placement school for the past 26 years. Angela started at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, but has since moved to Richard Montgomery High School where she’s been teaching for the last 20 years. We’ve been blessed with two wonderful daughters. Our oldest is currently a junior at Bowie State and hopes to be accepted into the nursing program after switching majors. Our youngest is currently a sophomore attending North Carolina A&T. I did my best to get her to attend Bowie State as well, but she’s pursuing an engineering degree.

Our time at Bowie State University was some of the best years of our lives. We’ve been happily married for 25 years due partly to the foundation that our great HBCU laid for both of us.