Devotion through the decades
Beth Miller, Mass Communications ’72, and Jeff Miller, Mass Communications ’73
“It was love at first sight,” says Jeff. “It took me a little longer,” says Beth. “He was very, very skinny, a short towhead with black horn-rimmed glasses.”
They met in The Oracle newsroom, where Jeff worked as the sports editor for the school newspaper. The shy Beth Serata walked in wearing striped bell-bottom pants, looking for a reporting job. Jeff was immediately struck by her beauty. His eye then caught the gold charm on her necklace — the Hebrew symbol for life. “I thought, ‘This is the girl for me,’” says Jeff.
They spent nights courtside at Curtis Hixon Hall working USF basketball games — Jeff, a play-by-play radio announcer for the Bulls, and Beth, the team’s statistician. They worked side-by-side laying out the paper until 2 a.m., ate at their favorite restaurant, Licata’s, watched movies at the drive-in and sat quietly on Crescent Hill, the hours slipping by.
They married the first day of winter break during Beth’s senior year. The longtime Texas couple has three daughters — Melissa, and twins Jennifer and Stacey — and five grandchildren.
After 57 years of marriage, it’s clear: Beth didn’t just land the job. She found the love of her life.
Chris Calos, Marketing ’83, and Meg Calos, 1980-1982
Nearly 40 years ago, in the same spot where he’d once thrown pebbles at his girlfriend’s third-floor dorm window, Chris asked Meg to marry him.
“Back in the ’80s, we didn’t have cell phones, so romance required creativity, patience and decent aim,” he says. They’d met in Andros dining hall, where the unlimited food plan worked in Chris’ favor. He’d already eaten his dinner, but when he spotted a beautiful young woman joining the line, he quickly claimed a spot near her, got a second meal and took it to the table where she sat.
“I thought he was interested in one of my friends,” says the former Meg Reardon.
They had their first date at Bennigan’s. Together, they cheered on USF’s soccer and basketball teams and chatted over beers at the Tampa campus’s rathskeller, The Empty Keg.
Meg eventually transferred to another university for nursing school, but their spark had already caught fire. “We have been married 38 years,” says Chris. The Alabama couple raised three daughters — Elizabeth, Kristen and Emily. They also have a 16-month-old grandson, Ben.
“That’s proof that unlimited food and good timing matter,” Chris says.
Chris Calos, Marketing ’83, and Meg Calos, 1980-1982
Nearly 40 years ago, in the same spot where he’d once thrown pebbles at his girlfriend’s third-floor dorm window, Chris asked Meg to marry him.
“Back in the ’80s, we didn’t have cell phones, so romance required creativity, patience and decent aim,” he says. They’d met in Andros dining hall, where the unlimited food plan worked in Chris’ favor. He’d already eaten his dinner, but when he spotted a beautiful young woman joining the line, he quickly claimed a spot near her, got a second meal and took it to the table where she sat.
“I thought he was interested in one of my friends,” says the former Meg Reardon.
They had their first date at Bennigan’s. Together, they cheered on USF’s soccer and basketball teams and chatted over beers at the Tampa campus’s rathskeller, The Empty Keg.
Meg eventually transferred to another university for nursing school, but their spark had already caught fire. “We have been married 38 years,” says Chris. The Alabama couple raised three daughters — Elizabeth, Kristen and Emily. They also have a 16-month-old grandson, Ben.
“That’s proof that unlimited food and good timing matter,” Chris says.
Jodi Solkin Hildebrandt, Sociology ’93, Life Member, and Michael Hildebrandt, Political Science ’91 and MHA ’00, Life Member
Shy grammar nerd with exceptional typing skills meets gregarious fraternity brother with a talent for numbers. She helps him turn in legible papers. He tutors her through math. On his way to parties, he drops her off at the library. Together, they stroll the museums she loves.
Theirs would be a classic opposites attract tale — but this one has a twist.
“The story should really be about father and son,” says Jodi, who co-owns an optical business with Michael in Philadelphia. “I’ve never seen two men so excited about where they went to school. They talk about USF all the time.”
Their son Ryan, born nine weeks early in 1998, suffered complications that left him unable to speak. Doctors were not optimistic and advised the family to learn sign language. Enrolled in USF’s speech-language clinic as a toddler, Ryan found his voice at 6 years old.
He went on to earn USF degrees in communication science and audiology. Today, he’s working his dream job as a researcher in one of USF’s audiology labs, happily married to Breann, a USF Student Affairs employee.
“It’s full circle,” Jodi says. “Michael and I met at USF, and USF was like family.”
Now, USF is family for a new generation.
Kyle Malone, Management ’17, and Danielle Malone, Biomedical Sciences ’17
Both were selected for USF’s 2016 Homecoming Court and a chance to vie for king and queen. They both had last names starting with M — she, Manz, and he, Malone — so organizers of the Homecoming Ball paired them to walk together.
“I was excited,” says the former Danielle Manz, who’d seen pictures of Kyle Malone on social media. “He’s cute!” They started dating and discovered they had a lot in common, including a love for USF campus life. She was a SunDoll; he did marketing for Athletics. They took up a fun hobby: modeling and acting together in ads and commercials, and as extras in Hallmark Channel movies that seemed to echo their real-life romance. Once, while Danielle was in class, Kyle found her car in the parking lot and left her a rose and love note.
In March, Kyle and Danielle celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary. Their family now includes two future Bulls, Kyson, 3, who’s quick with a Horns Up and “”Go Bulls,” and Daylon, born Jan. 21. Did they win the coveted crowns at that fateful 2016 Homecoming Ball?
“Unfortunately, no,” Danielle says.
“We actually did win, though,” adds Kyle, turning to smile at his wife. “We won.”
Kyle Malone, Management ’17, and Danielle Malone, Biomedical Sciences ’17
Both were selected for USF’s 2016 Homecoming Court and a chance to vie for king and queen. They both had last names starting with M — she, Manz, and he, Malone — so organizers of the Homecoming Ball paired them to walk together.
“I was excited,” says the former Danielle Manz, who’d seen pictures of Kyle Malone on social media. “He’s cute!” They started dating and discovered they had a lot in common, including a love for USF campus life. She was a SunDoll; he did marketing for Athletics. They took up a fun hobby: modeling and acting together in ads and commercials, and as extras in Hallmark Channel movies that seemed to echo their real-life romance. Once, while Danielle was in class, Kyle found her car in the parking lot and left her a rose and love note.
In March, Kyle and Danielle celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary. Their family now includes two future Bulls, Kyson, 3, who’s quick with a Horns Up and “”Go Bulls,” and Daylon, born Jan. 21. Did they win the coveted crowns at that fateful 2016 Homecoming Ball?
“Unfortunately, no,” Danielle says.
“We actually did win, though,” adds Kyle, turning to smile at his wife. “We won.”