Thanks to Charlene Mui, ESIA BA '97, CCAS Cert '15, and Michael Welch, ESIA BA '97, for sharing their story!
Where did you meet?
We met in [the late] Professor Robert Dunn’s international economics class at Gelman Library, either on the fourth or fifth floor - neither of us can remember. Before class began, I sat down behind an empty seat and asked the guy who was doodling if he was using the chair in front. He said no and we ended up using it together as a foot stool.
What were your first impressions of each other?
Charlene: I was dating someone else at the time, so I thought he was a guy with a mess of blonde hair who liked to doodle. He was doodling in the margins of his notebook when I sat next to him.
Michael: I thought she was cute, but didn’t know how to start a conversation.
Charlene: We eventually talked, became friends, and he ended up tutoring me in that class.
What only-at-GW moment did you share as a couple?
We were able to just wander around D.C. – late night walks to the Albert Einstein statue, around the White House, etc – they were great study breaks. Also, we had the feeling that we lived in Funger Hall during our senior year.
Tell us about your last visit to GW together or how GW has remained important in your life.
GW has been an important part of our lives, especially these last five years. I went back to GW for a graduate certificate at the Alexandria campus. And Mike is doing an online certificate right now. It has been a great place to learn new skills and branch out in new directions.
We still live in the D.C. area and visit campus every few months. Just yesterday we came to campus so Mike can see one of his professors in-person and take care of beginning of semester to-dos. We both love the new buildings- especial the new Textile Museum, District House, and the Engineering School (Science and Engineering Hall).
Recently, we brought our five-year-old daughter to campus and ended up finding our bricks denoting our graduating class and degree in Monroe Court. But she was more interested in the seated George Washington statue on the outskirts of the Court.
Anything else you want to share?
We recently went to an amazing museum/interactive center called the LEGO House in Billund, Denmark, the home of the LEGO. This Center is so much fun for all ages, we highly recommend it!