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My Gator Valentine
In February, 54 alumni couples celebrated their love
and their Gator connection at a pre-Valentine's Day dinner at SF State's
Seven Hills Conference Center. The Andrew Speight Quartet performed
as alumni mingled with former classmates. Talk revolved around the good
ole days at SF State, a period that ranged from the 1940s to last year,
depending on who was speaking.
During the reception, Thelma Schiller (B.A., '42)
recalled the joy of noon dances and hanging out on the bridge outside
the old gym to watch basketball games. As an undergrad, she competed
in sporting events to win the coveted title of "Outdoor Girl."
Her main squeeze, David Schiller (B.A. '41),
was also a formidable athlete. "The Outdoor Girl and the captain
of the Gator football team—what could be sweeter," she said.
The Schillers will celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary in December.
Later, at a sit-down dinner, emcees Stan Bunger (B.A.,
'77), KCBS news anchor, and Don Scoble (B.A.,
'62; M.A., '71), executive director, SF State Foundation, invited
their fellow alumni to share stories of how they met their true Gator
love. It was a subject close to their hearts. Their wives, Tharon
Bunger (B.A, '83) and Barbara Scoble (B.A.,
'61), were also in attendance.
Peggy McShane Clifford (B.A., '62) recalled
sitting in a darkened room with her Bib 'n' Tucker sorority sisters
to perform the memorable "candle ritual." A candle would be
passed from sister to sister before one young woman blew out the flame,
which signified that she was newly engaged. "One of the thrills
of my college years came when it was my turn to blow out the candle
and show my sparkling diamond engagement ring to my sisters," she
said. She and her husband, Jim Clifford (B.A.,
'62), have been married 45 years and have seven children, including
two SF State graduates.
Greg Roensch (B.A, '85; M.A., '92) took his
fellow alumni back to his Latin class at SF State. "While I struggled
with my declensions in the back of the classroom, a wild-haired woman
in the front spoke Latin as if she hailed from ancient Rome," he
said of his wife of 12 years, Rosalie Lack (M.A.,
'88). "After a few anxiety-ridden weeks, I invited her to
join me for a cup of coffee, and soon afterwards we began to study together
… It didn't take long for us to realize ours really was a match
made in Paradiso."
 
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