College is a new chapter in a person’s life. New experiences, routines, a whole new world of information and knowledge, and sometimes, new relationships.

Read on to learn more about Viterbo’s Valentines. Couples who responded to our request for their story with finding their person during their time at Viterbo.

 Fun fact: Of the couples represented here, three were married at San Damiano Chapel.

In honor of Valentine’s Day and the love they share all year long, we wish every Viterbo alumni and their significant others many years of happiness.

Cameron ’19 and April (Weber) Clements ’18

Cameron and April earned their nursing degrees at Viterbo and they both work at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse. They married in 2023. “We are happily married and so thankful for our time at Viterbo bringing us together.” They met in 2016.

Daniel and Jill (Blume) Lamb ’01 

Dan and Jill met at Viterbo in 1999 and have been married for 16 years. They live in Holmen, Wis. with their two boys.

Dan graduated with his degree in business administration with an emphasis in CIS. He is currently a sales executive with The Board Store. Jill also majored in business administration, with a health care emphasis. She is a renewal account executive for UnitedHealthcare. “We loved the friends we made who we still remain close to, the wonderful memories of campus, sports, and activities, and the great professors,” Jill shared.

Edson and Shelly (Gorr) Melendez ’03

A Viterbo choir trip to Austria was extra special for Edson and Shelly. They started dating when they returned home. “We’ve been together 21 years and married for 11 years,” Shelly said. They have two children, Luca and Leo, and live in Racine, Wis. Edson works at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside as the assistant dean for Arts and Humanities, while Shelly is a recruiter for Aurora Health Care. They also run two non-profit performing organizations, Belle Ensemble and Brew City Opera.

Shelly graduated with her BFA in Music Theatre in ’03. Edson was a voice performance major during his time at Viterbo.

Mitch ’08 and Allison (Hall) Romens ’09

“Our first date was Homecoming in 2006,” Allison shared. Her sister, Amanda Christianson ’05 worked with Mitch at Panera and played matchmaker. Mitch and Allison will celebrate 15 years of marriage in July. They have four adopted children and one biological child. Favorite memories include the Viterbo Rugby team. Mitch majored in biochemistry and he is a project manager with Brickl Bros., while Allie majored in elementary education. She is writing a collection of children’s books about trauma and brain development.

Their remarkable Viterbo memories influenced their recent return to living in the La Crosse area.

Cal ’21 and Sela (Schroeder) Steffes ’20

Father Conrad married Cal and Sela at the San Damiano Chapel in October 2023.

They started dating in fall 2018 shortly after interactions in a class, within a friend group, and comparing notes that they were from the rival towns of La Crescent and Caledonia, Minn.

Sela loved the small campus atmosphere and the connections that she made at Viterbo. She was a peer tutor, tour guide, resident assistant, Service Saturday student leader, and member of campus clubs. 

Cal loved the closeness and hanging out in the dorms with friends. Nine of the 14 people in their wedding party were Viterbo students or alumni. Cal and Sela live in La Crescent, Minn. (Cal’s hometown). They are both RNs at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse.

Terry and Carla (Craig) Steffen ’83

They met in February 1980. “Our first date was at a Valentine winter formal held in the Marion Hall cafeteria,” Carla shared. They dated throughout their college years before life took them in different directions, quite literally, and they lost touch. “We met again one night 17 years later,” Carla said. “The rest is history.” Terry and Carla married in November 2000.

Terry earned his business degree from Viterbo and Carla her nursing degree. She recently retired after a 40-year career and Terry is semi-retired and works at Kwik Trip.

Carla reflected on their Viterbo experience, that included Terry playing basketball, the fun they had at Marion Hall and Tracy House parties, and the lasting friendships. “Viterbo gave us both an education we took with us that will live with us forever.”

Jared Wilson and Holly Nelson ’21

The Philosophy of Ethics course set the stage for Jared and Holly. Jared admits he took Holly’s would-be job tutoring the course. “We were friends all throughout and were interested in each other, but we didn’t get together until after we graduated and moved apart,” he shared. “Now we are happily together.” Jared studied psychology and Holly majored in dietetics. He works as a teaching assistant while he works toward his PhD at Northern Illinois University. Holly works at Fresenius as a renal dietitian. They look forward to sharing their first place together.

Brandon and Ashley (DeMoe) Swenson ’19

Ashley shares, “My husband, Brandon Swenson, and I met during first year orientation in 2015. We did the day’s activities together and ended one evening with a stroll around campus. I guess they say the rest is history!”

They graduated with their nursing degrees in 2019 and they both work at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. Brandon works on the cardio pulmonary floor, while Ashley works in Interventional Radiology. They recently celebrated their third wedding anniversary.

Darin Throndson and Amanda (Sprehn) Byom ’98

Darin and Amanda met in chemistry and biology classes their first year on campus. Darin played baseball and transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. “We kept in touch and dated briefly after I graduated and started PA school,” Amanda shared. The couple reconnected in 2011 and have been together ever since.

Amanda enjoyed 23 years as a PA with Gundersen Health System, and recently transitioned to UnitedHealth, where she is a PA in medical claims review. Darin is president of Innovative Dental Technologies and operates dental labs.

Sean and Victoria (Paquette) Kilbride ’18

“Going to the chapel…” They met at first year orientation in 2014 and married at San Damiano Chapel in 2021. Sean and Victoria earned their RN BSN degrees. They call Rochester, Minn. home where they both work at the Mayo Clinic. “We love the community we found at Viterbo,” Victoria shared.

James Runyan and Jennifer Drexler ’00

James and Jenny are both grateful for their time at Viterbo. “It brought a lot to my life,” Jenny shared. “My family, my career as an ER doctor at Gundersen Health System, many friends, and connections for my kids.” James and Jenny married in 2007, moved away from the area for 17 years and returned to Onalaska in 2017. James studied accounting and owns JEI Vending.

Zach ’06 and Linsie (Sanger) Clements ’08

Father Tom married Zach and Linsie in the San Damiano Chapel more than 15 years ago. It’s a family thing. Zach’s parents were married there also. Most of their siblings attended Viterbo. Zach and Linsie both earned their nursing degrees at Viterbo. Today, Zach is a physician at Gundersen Health System and Linsie is a labor and delivery nurse there. Zach shares how Viterbo is family and home. “It’s where we were all married and now all of our kids have been baptized and received the sacraments there.”

Dat ’13 and Tia (Gurtner) Dang ’14

These Valentines were paired for an icebreaker exercise in Professor Andrew Hamilton’s South African history course in 2013. Dat and Tia, both history majors, went on their first date that weekend. 

Dat works as a cyber security lead analyst for Target and Tia manages a photographer’s studio. She received her MA in history from San Diego State University. They live in Minnesota.