Alumni Love Stories

Research conducted by Accommodation for Students found that 23% of UK couples got together whilst at university, with 32% of graduates going on to marry their university partner.

We caught up with some couples who were lucky enough to find their other halves right here at Hope!

Steffie and Mike Shields 

"Mike and I met as founder students of Christ's College (one of Liverpool Hope University's founding colleges) in October 1964 in the same Maths seminar. We went out together in the second term but it was not until second year that it became a steady relationship. We thoroughly enjoyed college life inspired by amazing academics and caring support staff, the Liverpool Beatles and folk music scene and the Graduation Ball in July 1967.

We became engaged in November 1967, the day after Mike was commissioned in the RAF. Monsignor Kevin Nichols married us in April 1969. on Valentines Day 1966 - I  checked my mail at the student post pigeonholes on the long corridor near the chapel. I was so embarrassed to find an enormous abstract painting in bright pink and red  propped up against the wall below the post cubby holes. It was a giant Valentine card from Mike for all to see! I do wish I had kept it!

About 25 couples of those first students married soon after leaving Christ's. Many kept in touch with happy reunions including the latest 60th in October 2024. We are in reasonable good health, love our adopted daughter Gabrielle and family and continue to count our blessings together."

At our Golden Wedding Anniversary in 2019.

Virginia and Keith Dransfield

"Keith and I were the second intake of Christ College in 1965 when students had an easy life, full "Bed & Board" plus a Book Allowance.

We each had the same room for three years, me in Carmel Hall and Keith in Newman which meant that we could wave to each other but not visit each other’s rooms… No “Mixed Visiting” then.

I studied Biology and PE and Keith studied Geography and Drama so when the Geography or PE societies organised trips e.g. Wales or the Lake District we went along and that’s how we came to know each other. By 1966 Keith had plucked up courage to invite me to the Valentine’s Day Dance in the College and things progressed from there.

In Third Year, we planned to announce our engagement on Valentine’s Day 1968. We moved to London together and were married in May 1970. We had two boys and taught in London until 1980 when we moved to County Waterford and by 2010 with the addition of another boy and girl we had both retired and now spend time visiting our children in England, Cork and Amsterdam."

“The Courtyard” outside the Concert / Blood Donor Centre / Lecture Hall taken in May 1966.

Us at home in November 2025 but it all began on Valentine’s Day 1966.

Linda and Les Hallwood

"I met Les while I was a student at S. Katharine’s College (a founding college of Liverpool Hope University) and he at Liverpool University. He must have been impressed by S. Kath's as he did his PGCE there and we married while I was in the 3rd year. We are still married after 53 years and long careers in teaching."

Together at the ball in 1971.

Present day.

Sheila and John Graham

"Sheila and I first met at S. Katharine’s College during 1968/69 and have been married since 1974 . I was there 1967-70 - only the second intake of male students and Sheila (Gaunt) studied at S. Kath's 1968-71. We both continued a teaching career until retirement."

Christmas formal 1969.

As we are now on recent holiday.

If you have a story to share please let us know on alumni@hope.ac.uk