Multiple grads add up the ultimate alumni couple.
Both Alex and Matthew Marischuk, who both graduated from more than one NC program, were the winners of Alumni Relations’ inaugural alumni couple contest in early 2023, after submitting the story of how they met.
Alex (nee Blanchard) graduated from Recreation and Leisure Services in 2005 and Early Childhood Education in 2008. She also earned her Early Childhood Education Resource Teacher graduate certificate in 2009.
Matthew graduated from Recreation and Leisure Services diploma (2004) and the Mechanical Techniques certificate programs (2007).
“Me and my husband (of 11 years, almost 19 together) met while working at the After Hours pub,” wrote Alex in her entry. “We went out on our first date in March 2004 and have been happily together ever since! We now have two beautiful children (ages 10 and five).”
They were both born and raised in Welland, where they currently reside.
Alex shares their story:
Current jobs
I am a Designated Early Childhood Educator (DECE)for the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN), working at Twenty Valley school in Vineland, and Mat is a Service Technician for Rexall.
Career path since graduation
I worked for the YMCA in Welland in the Child and Youth programs for numerous years while going to school at Niagara College. After graduating from my post grad program I was hired at Kidzdome Preschool (in Grimsby) in May 2009 where I worked until I went off on maternity leave in July 2012.
While on maternity leave, I was hired as a supply DECE for the DSBN as well as for A Child’s World and continued working supply shifts for Kidzdome as well.
I recieved my first LTO with the DSBN in Sept 2014 and was hired on as a full-time contract employee in Sept 2016 at Twenty Valley and have been there ever since.
Mat was hired at Rexall upon graduating in 2007 and has been there ever since!
How do you feel that attending NC influenced your life and career?
Both of us worked in the recreation field for a brief period of time, but felt we were better suited for other careers which is why we chose to return to Niagara College to complete further education in the fields we are both happily and currently in now.
To what extent did NC play a role in your love story?
Even though we were both born and raised in Welland, we attended different elementary and secondary schools. While we both were going to Niagara College, we also both worked at the After Hours pub (I worked as a busser/bartender and Mat as security). It was there that we both got to know each other and began dating.
Do you share any memories of college life together as a couple?
One of our first dates was attending the Annual Charity Ball that student council held (I was also a member of Student Administrative Council, in the roles of Director of Student Affairs and Executive Vice President in 2004-2005).
We attended some other trips organized by Student Council (to the Playdium, Blue Jays game etc.) and worked many late nights at the pub for weekly pub nights and special events.
Read more
View all top alumni couple entries in encore: Meet 10 alumni couples who put the NC in romance.
