2020 Love Stories
2020 Love Stories
Sharing Bowie State love stories submitted in 2020
David Cook (‘91) & Lynette Cook (‘89)
We met in the fall of 1984. We were introduced to each other by a mutual friend.
She was a communications major and I was a business administration major. We talked a lot especially on the phone because I lived off campus with no car. Every time she called she would state, "Hi David, This is Lynette Sherrod." We would meet up at all the campus parties and she became my permanent dance partner, soulmate, and my wife. We shared two common things: we loved our families and loved each other. My nickname for her was "Peaches" and she called me "Hammer." We were later blessed with two beautiful sons shortly after marriage. She has been a great mom and wife.
Jamal Berry (‘07) and Keisha Berry (‘07)
It was 2006, and we were at a club in downtown DC. A mutual friend, who also attended Bowie State University, introduced us. We exchanged numbers. I waited for his call. Weeks went by...nothing. Then one day, I was sitting on a bench on campus and he walked by. I immediately said, “So you’re just going to walk by and not speak?” He smiled because he obviously saw me sitting there. Until this day, he swears he called me and I never called him back or answered the phone. We’ll never know the truth, but from that day we hung out from time to time on campus. Our first date was between classes at IHOP. I knew he was the one because, like a gentleman, he opened my straw for me. We kept in touch over the years and fast forward five years, we finally decided to give each other a serious shot. In 2013, he got on one knee and asked me to be his wife. Without hesitation, I said yes. Jamal is the head of my life, the love of my life, and the best thing that BSU gave me. We’ve been married almost seven years now and have four children. B-S-U, we love it! We love it! We love it!
Alexis Currin (‘96) & Kenneth Christopher (‘98)
Kenneth and I were attending Bowie State University, but I was ahead a year or so. We shared mutual friends, as Ken was very close to two of my Epsilon Lambda Bowie State Sigma Gamma Rho, Inc. sorors. For 17 years off and on, he'd inquire about me, asking "How's your girl?" and telling my sorority sisters to say 'hi' to me.
In 2011, I found myself single and asked my sorors about Ken. We connected on Facebook, chatting often, and finally talking daily. At a 2011 homecoming alumni party, we finally met up, talking all night and ended up dating for two years.
Our story ended in 2012, but we've since reconnected in 2019 and continue to share our love with each other and our friends and family. We've had our ups and downs but we're best friends and our love and friendship continues to grow stronger every day.
Eugene Gloster (‘82) & Monica Curtis Gloster (‘85)
During the fall of 1977, as freshmen at Bowie State College, is where we met. I played volleyball and he played football so our paths crossed often. While walking to the cafeteria after practice one day, he always had something to say; you know how guys are.
During the week, Eugene would walk by Holmes Hall, on the side facing the AKA's plot, and tap on my window or call out my name to see if I was in. He would say, "Girl, I got something good for you." And I would think to myself, “what's up with this guy?”
Later in the semester, we began to communicate. I couldn't ignore him anymore. He wouldn't let me (LOL). I then realized that he wasn't so bad after all. In the spring of 1978, I played on the softball team. Of course, he came out to support the team and me. Yes, I was nervous but confident. I couldn't let him see me sweat (smile). Eugene kindly asked if he could escort me to the athletic banquet. I thought that was very nice of him, so I accepted. He was proud of me when I let him carry my trophy back to the dorm (smile). Our friendship began to grow and we were inseparable.
During that time, one of my favorite songs was and still is, "The Closer I Get to You," by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway...that was exactly how our relationship developed. We were Bowie State athletes and worked in the student union as work-study students. Eugene is a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and I am a member of the Alpha Angel Sweetheart Organization.
Shae Johnson (‘99) & Gwendolyn Johnson (‘98)
Shae and I causally met in one of the administration buildings at the beginning of the fall 1995 semester. My friends and I were standing in line chatting when he came along. One of my more outgoing friends struck up a conversation with him. That's how he was first introduced to the collective, the Baltimore Crew, which included my bestie from New Jersey. He says he met the crew first, but didn’t learn my name and who I was until after we took English 102 together with Dr. Walker. He sat on the first row in the corner up against the wall and I sat beside him. Shae and I also lived in the same dorm. From time to time we'd find ourselves walking to Tubman at the same time. That's how we become friendly with each other. We would have quick conversations while walking around campus. It was those random moments spent together that laid the foundation for a lasting friendship.
Some time later, we saw each other at a party in the Wiseman. There he said, "I'm going to change your zip code," and he did just that! He was Prince George’s County royalty and fell for a girl from Westside Baltimore - LOL! We became friends in 1995, married in 2001, have two beautiful children and affectionately became known as Team Johnson! We have friends (turned family) from Bowie State still sharing in our lives. Those friends continue to keep us lifted in prayer and cheer us on because they know our story. It's been a true journey to get to this point. We are grateful for Bowie bringing two unlikely people to the same place, at the same time. Thanks BSU!
Cedric Land (‘16) & Elizabeth Land (‘16)
Cedric and I met during New Student Orientation in 2012 and bonded over our love of Vans and Wayfarer sunglasses. We remained platonic friends until Valentine’s Day of our sophomore year. I was super sick that day and took NyQuil instead of DayQuil. He took care of me all night and made sure I was comfortable and feeling okay. We ate Chinese food and watched movies together until we fell asleep. We have been together six years and just got married in October of 2019. I met the love of my life at Bowie State.
David Marshall (‘79) & Sheila Marshall (‘80)
This love story begins in August 1976 when a bright-eyed freshman, Sheila Powers, entered the front gate of Bowie State College (now Bowie State University).
The first person she met was the very popular David Marshall, who was working freshman orientation at his post. His responsibility was to greet parents and the new incoming freshmen to campus. Little did either know their friendship had begun.
Sheila’s introduction to campus life began with being David’s “sidekick,” which eventually blossomed into a relationship. While at Bowie State, they were inseparable. You would often see David at sporting events, where Sheila was a cheerleader, and social events when Sheila served as Miss Sophomore and eventually Miss Bowie State College. She was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
You could also find David tutoring Sheila and others in math and psychology, where he excelled as a student. They were often seen walking and chatting as they went to and from the library, as studying was one of their biggest pastimes. Their love and bond grew stronger as the years went on.
After both graduated from Bowie State, they were rarely seen apart. They married in 1982 and after 44 years together (38 in marriage) and one beautiful daughter, they remain inseparable.
Peter Miller (‘92 & ‘96) & Zipporah Miller (‘97)
We met in 1991. Peter completed his undergraduate studies at Bowie State and we were both serving as educators.We both attended BSU for our graduate studies in 1995 and 1996. We even had the pleasure of taking some classes together. Peter earned his master's in 1996 and I earned mine in 1997 in School Administration and Supervision. Our passion is to ensure all children have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Our greatest satisfaction is encouraging children when they feel like giving up. Seeing a child turn around to realize their potential is as beautiful as watching the sun rise. Our motto, “It’s never too late. Don’t give up on any child.”
Dean Weeks (‘95) & Kesha Weeks (‘94 & ‘96)
According to him, he saw me during freshman move-in day and knew he needed to meet me. During my first semester, I recall walking back to Towers and him calling me out. His words, "Kesha, I'm gonna marry you one day." Although I had seen him around, I didn't even know his name. As time went on, we chatted here and there, interacting on campus and in various Greek life activities. He was a member of the Eta Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and I was a member of the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.
Shortly after I graduated from grad school, he sent me a message through another Bowie State alum. We connected. I knew he would be my husband. Life hit and even though we separated, we reunited once again and here I am with his last name. We've also added a beautiful daughter, making our duo a trio.
Dr. John Word (‘77 & ‘81) & Dr. Marsha Mims-Word (‘86, ‘90 & ‘05)
