Pennsylvania College of Technology’s reigning Alumni Sweethearts, Bradley T. and Janae B. (Rohrer) Rydbom, visited campus this past weekend to stay overnight in the Victorian House and dine in Le Jeune Chef Restaurant.
The Rydboms were selected as the 2015 Alumni Sweethearts, the fourth annual winners of the honor, following a Facebook contest through Alumni Relations featuring 40 wedding photographs submitted by couples who graduated from the college. Their wedding photo received nearly 350 votes (or “likes”).
The couple was greeted by blue skies and greenery on one of the first nice days of spring, and enjoyed a walk around campus – one of their favorite activities when they were dating as students. Among the new features they appreciated seeing were the stainless steel “living walls” and the “These Trees” and “Student Bodies” Centennial art installations.
They also enjoyed strolling through the Victorian House garden and sitting on the bench where they first held hands in March 2012.
“We just wandered in here,” Janae said of that first visit to the garden. “When we were students, we liked taking campus walks so we could have quality conversations. We made it a goal to sit on every bench on campus and talk. I don’t think we made it to every bench, though. We sat on the one located in front of the ATHS a lot. That was our go-to bench.”
The couple met in the fall of 2011 participating with Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) in volunteer cleanup work following the Montoursville flood caused by Tropical Storm Lee.
Bradley, originally from Tyrone, earned an associate degree in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology in 2010 and a Bachelor of Science degree in the same field in 2012. Janae, of Manheim, graduated in 2014 with an associate degree in occupational therapy assistant.
“Our advice to current students is to get involved. Where we flourished the most individually and as a couple was in Cru. Not only did we find each other there, but we learned a lot,” said Janae, who also served as a Resident Assistant and Presidential Student Ambassador.
“Plus, being involved makes four years go faster and it makes you feel more at home here,” Bradley said.
The couple married in September 2014. They reside in State College and are working in their career fields.
On Saturday night, the Rydboms enjoyed a Spanish-themed dinner in Le Jeune Chef, the student-run restaurant on campus.
“We had a student-inspired pasta dish that was prepared table-side that was fantastic!” Janae said. “We were so impressed with the work of the students in making the pasta! And we, of course, loved the famous chocolate soup.”
They also enjoyed meeting Le Jeune Chef’s Sous Chef Rob A. Armstrong.
“He came out to talk to us at the end of our meal which was great and awesome to chat with him since he will be retiring in June,” Janae said. “We’re always impressed with the service and food at Le Jeune!”
The Rydboms were selected as the 2015 Alumni Sweethearts, the fourth annual winners of the honor, following a Facebook contest through Alumni Relations featuring 40 wedding photographs submitted by couples who graduated from the college. Their wedding photo received nearly 350 votes (or “likes”).
The couple was greeted by blue skies and greenery on one of the first nice days of spring, and enjoyed a walk around campus – one of their favorite activities when they were dating as students. Among the new features they appreciated seeing were the stainless steel “living walls” and the “These Trees” and “Student Bodies” Centennial art installations.
![The 2015 Alumni Sweethearts Bradley T. and Janae B. (Rohrer) Rydbom revisit a special bench in the Victorian House garden during their return visit to campus this past weekend.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2015/04/Sweethearts-300x200.jpg)
“We just wandered in here,” Janae said of that first visit to the garden. “When we were students, we liked taking campus walks so we could have quality conversations. We made it a goal to sit on every bench on campus and talk. I don’t think we made it to every bench, though. We sat on the one located in front of the ATHS a lot. That was our go-to bench.”
The couple met in the fall of 2011 participating with Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) in volunteer cleanup work following the Montoursville flood caused by Tropical Storm Lee.
Bradley, originally from Tyrone, earned an associate degree in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology in 2010 and a Bachelor of Science degree in the same field in 2012. Janae, of Manheim, graduated in 2014 with an associate degree in occupational therapy assistant.
![For the wedding and reception in Strasburg, the bride's father drove the couple in a vintage Chevrolet truck owned by one of Bradley's friends. Later, they found out the truck once belonged to Janae's great-grandparents! (Photo by Caroline Logan)](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2015/04/567-300x200.jpg)
“Plus, being involved makes four years go faster and it makes you feel more at home here,” Bradley said.
The couple married in September 2014. They reside in State College and are working in their career fields.
On Saturday night, the Rydboms enjoyed a Spanish-themed dinner in Le Jeune Chef, the student-run restaurant on campus.
“We had a student-inspired pasta dish that was prepared table-side that was fantastic!” Janae said. “We were so impressed with the work of the students in making the pasta! And we, of course, loved the famous chocolate soup.”
They also enjoyed meeting Le Jeune Chef’s Sous Chef Rob A. Armstrong.
“He came out to talk to us at the end of our meal which was great and awesome to chat with him since he will be retiring in June,” Janae said. “We’re always impressed with the service and food at Le Jeune!”