They returned to campus to say ‘I do’

They returned to campus to say 'I do'

Two 1978 East Carolina University graduates were ready to be married in 2025, and they needed to decide on a ceremony location.

It was a mutual decision.

"We both knew it was going to be under that library arch," said the bride, Bonnie Rollins, an ECU alumna in business administration. "Not only because it's beautiful, but because that's where it really began for us. It's not where we met, but where we began."

Mich and Bonnie Rollins met in French class during their first week at ECU in 1974. They were merely acquaintances until as juniors their paths crossed again in Joyner Library, facilitating more conversation and the foundation for their friendship and bond.

From there, they graduated and each traveled and created their own career paths and families. They remained friends and in contact, however, for decades. They even saw each other, unplanned, in 2018 at an ECU football game, and later settled together in eastern North Carolina.

"Over the years, our lives just kind of intertwined," Bonnie said.

Their wedding ceremony was May 17, 2025, followed by a small reception at the Chi Omega house.

Why Chi Omega? Bonnie was in Chi Omega sorority as a student. Mich is currently a chef at Chi Omega.

"We didn't really need to be married and people knew our situation, but it was something that I wanted to do," said Mich, an ECU graduate in psychology. "Since that day, it really does make a difference."

And the wedding might not have ever materialized if not for Bonnie's walking path in Joyner 50 years ago.

"I was studying in the library up in the stacks, so I did my work up there, and I looked up and walking amongst the stacks was Bonnie," Mich said. "I about fell out of my chair. Then we just started talking and I think it was the first time, as juniors, we actually got to know each other. … We would see each other more and run into each other and go out on a date and just got really comfortable with each other."

With Valentine's Day approaching and while reflecting on last year's wedding ceremony, Bonnie said it was exciting and fitting it was conducted on ECU's main campus.

"The minute I stepped on campus, I knew it was where I was meant to be," she said. "I've always felt that way. We both love our school and will always be devoted ECU Pirate fans. We feel incredibly blessed to have been able to get married on our beautiful campus, especially under that arch."

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