Ram Romance: ASU Love Stories 2025

Albany State University wishes all our alumni couples a Happy Valentine's Day. Below are a few featured RAM Romance stories. 

The Barnes Family

In the crisp autumn of 1988, fate brought Donnisha (’92, Social Work) and Gary Barnes (’92, Criminal Justice) together through a simple introduction by Donnisha’s sister, Wanda. From that very first meeting, Gary’s laughter resonated like a melody, setting the stage for a love story that would stand the test of time.

What started as friendship soon blossomed into something deeper, growing through the ups and downs of college life at Albany State. Graduation wasn’t just the end of their academic journey—it was the beginning of a lifetime together.

Now, 30 years later, their love has endured through every joy and challenge, leaving behind a beautiful legacy, including their daughter, who carries forward the bonds first formed on ASU’s campus. With two children and countless cherished memories, the echoes of that fateful fall in 1988 still linger, proving that love—like the changing seasons—only grows stronger with time.

 

The Bratton Family

A’sha (’11, Business Management) and Phillip Bratton (’10, Business Management) met as freshmen in 2007 and have been inseparable ever since. Studying the same field, their friendship flourished into a love that has now spanned 14 years.

They’re celebrating more than a decade of marriage and the beautiful family they’ve built together—including their three future Rams! Their most recent blessing, a baby boy, arrived in December, adding even more joy to their journey.

For A’sha and Phillip, Albany State isn’t just where they earned their degrees—it’s where their forever began.

 

The Cummings Family

Patricia (’73, Art) and Charlie Cummings (’75, Business Administration) first crossed paths in a Political Science class at Albany State. Patricia, born and raised in Vidalia, GA, sat behind Charlie, a Thomson, GA native, and tried to strike up a conversation. At first, he was quiet—only pointing to the last name “Cummings” on his textbook instead of saying his name. Patricia thought he was trying to be cute and decided to leave him be.

But fate had other plans. Their paths kept crossing—at lunch, around campus, and eventually, Charlie showed up at Patricia’s dorm to visit. This time, they talked more and discovered just how much they had in common. Both were Leos, the sixth child in a family of seven, and shared a connection that only grew stronger with time.

From walking across campus together to shared meals in the dining hall, their love story unfolded naturally. Soon, if you saw one, you saw the other. And now, after 50 years of marriage, their love is stronger than ever. They’ve built a beautiful family—four children, ten grandchildren, three great-grands, with more on the way.

Charlie always says Patricia was the only other person who ever drove his car—true love that started at Albany State and continues to this day.

And to this day, ASU is still a part of their journey. Homecoming is a tradition, where they enjoy time with friends but always find their way back to each other—just like they did all those years ago.

  

The Miller Family

Johniene Miller Johnson (’88, Allied Health) and Eric Miller (’88, Community Science) met at a party during their time at Albany State University and quickly became close friends. From walking to class together to being inseparable dance partners at every party, their bond grew stronger with each passing day.

When Eric lost his grandmother, Johniene was the first person he turned to for support. As they traveled together to his hometown, they realized their connection was more than just friendship. From that moment on, their love story truly began.

Before graduation, they tied the knot as Eric prepared to report for military duty through his ROTC commission. Decades later, their love is still going strong—37 years and counting!

ASU isn’t just where they earned their degrees—it’s where they found a lifelong love.

 

The Boykin Family

Monique Boykin Williams (’01, Sociology) and Esly Boykin (’98, Social Work) first crossed paths at Albany State University, passing each other as Esly returned to Sanford Hall after football practice while Monique and her friends walked back to Andrews Hall from the Café. As a Ram football player and a member of the Marching Rams Showband, their worlds often intertwined, and Monique couldn’t help but think, “He is cute!”

Their bond deepened through weekly RLO meetings in Peace Hall and Bible study sessions at the Bible Study Center on Oglethorpe Blvd., a place that changed their lives forever. It was there that their connection truly solidified, leading to a love story that has now spanned 30 years.

Monique prayed for a partner who would honor God first, and she found that in Esly. Now, after 20 years of marriage, they continue to cherish the journey that began at ASU.

Albany State isn’t just where they met—it’s the foundation of their love story. Here’s to many more years of togetherness and love!

 

The Riley Family

Tyson Riley (’99, Allied Health) and Andrea Brinson (’00, Biology) first met at a basketball game in 1992—over a simple request for a piece of gum. When Andrea handed it to him, Tyson gently caressed her hand, and from that moment, their story began.

As a football player for the Golden Rams and a former basketball player, Tyson and Andrea shared a deep connection through their love of sports. They were also both members of the Gospel Choir and Concert Choir, which gave them the opportunity to travel to Europe twice, creating unforgettable memories together.

Their love left its mark—literally—on Albany State, as they carved their initials into a tree outside the Fine Arts building. From late-night breakfasts to campus parties and even sharing a health class, ASU was the foundation of their journey.

What started with a simple touch has now grown into a lifelong love story.

  

The Wilkerson Family

Stephanie Wilkerson (’98, Early Childhood) and Patrick Wilkerson (’94, Mathematics) knew of each other as undergraduate students at Albany State, but their love story didn’t officially begin until after graduation. Fate brought them together in the parking lot of the Albany Mall, right in front of Camelot Music. That chance meeting led to two years of dating, a heartfelt proposal, and a beautiful wedding on August 14, 2004.

Now, nearly two decades later, they call Leesburg, GA, home, working side by side in the Dougherty County School System while also running their own businesses in the Albany area. Their journey may have started at ASU, but their love and success continue to grow beyond campus.

Here’s to a love story built to last!