Terp Love Bridges Generations at Valentine's Dance

In the hours before 7 p.m. on Feb. 14, Mark Zimmerman ’70 and Carolyn Zimmerman ’70 stared at their closet. The last time the couple attended the University of Maryland Alumni Association Valentine's Dance was in 2013. They got their entire table to wear tuxedos, as part of an inside joke. This year marked the dance’s return after a 12 year hiatus, and the Zimmermans were stumped.

“We had to Google what cocktail attire was,” said Carolyn. They decided on a tweed suit with a festive Maryland tie for Mark, while Carolyn donned a velvet floral cardigan and a cameo necklace she bought in Italy.

For them, the dance’s return felt, “so marvelous,” Carolyn said. “We sent a lot of emails through the years saying ‘please have this dance,’” Mark agreed.

But it wasn’t only returning couples who felt the Valentine’s magic.

Alana Santos and Benjamin Canada are current seniors who met in the engineering department, where they’re set to graduate in the fall. They attended with their parents, also Terps, and weren’t sure what to expect.

“As soon as we walked in the door we knew we didn’t want to spend Valentine’s Day any other way,” said Canada, taking a break between songs on the dance floor.

The event featured raffles, a caricature artist, a 360-degree photo booth, a buffet and bar with specialty cocktails, and of course – dancing with Terp DJ Right Touch.

While couples took their seats in Orem Hall at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center to eat, Jessica K. Roberts ’02, senior executive director of the Alumni Association, told the crowd why bringing back the dance was so important to her.

“This event is close to my heart because I met my husband here at UMD 25 years ago,” said Roberts, waving to a smiling Chad Roberts ’01 from across the dance floor. She emphasized the power of staying connected to your alma mater.

“As alums, we love attending events here and we bring our two sons with us whenever we can,” she said. “It’s become a family thing for us.”

She isn’t alone. Steven Suskind ’90 and Shelley Suskind ’90 met another couple, the Clarks, at the very first Valentine’s Dance in 2005. They sat at the same table and have been friends ever since. “Our kids grew up together,” said Steven. This year, they sat together again and reminisced.

The return of the Valentine’s dance was a testament that Terp love transcends generations – just ask Santos.

“We love [this event],” she said. “As soon as we graduate, we’re coming back as alumni!”