Feature: Matched for life
Monday, June 18, 2007
The Gallup family has four generations of relatives that have attended Olivet. One of the noteworthy morsels of their story is that many of the great grandparents, grandparents, parents and now the youngest generation have met spouses at their alma mater.
Doug Gallup ’83 and Melissa (Hasselbring) Gallup ’82 met at Olivet and married. They joined the ranks of their two families combined — approximately 60 relatives who had attended Olivet before them — the majority becoming matched for life with a fellow student.
Doug, an assistant principal in Byron Center, Mich., feels that Olivet was his family’s school of choice because coming here connected them for life with meaningful friendships, and a home they enjoy coming back to.
“It’s a great college to be a part of and from — a lifelong thing. My wife and I have only missed one Homecoming since 1972. It’s neat to go back to Olivet. That’s how much it means to us, we go back. Olivet is a great place,” shares Doug.
The availability of different involvements at Olivet was an additional draw to members of the Gallup family, when it came time to choose a university. From Orpheus Choir to campus organizations, intramurals and collegiate athletics, members of the Gallup family delved into the vast array of opportunities on campus.
The Gallups have five children, Jordan ’06 is a graduate with a degree in marketing, and Brittany ’09, is a current student majoring in education.
The Gallup family has so many fond memories of Olivet even their youngest child is already planning on attending.
“Our six-year-old, Hannah, has already started making plans to attend Olivet. She is already planning on rooming with her friend from school,” shares Melissa, with a laugh.
Beyond the activities and possibility of finding a marriage partner, the Gallups agree, the deciding factor for their long history of family members attending Olivet is the integrity and Christian education available to those who attend.
“The values and the Christian education, the lifelong friendships and connections that are made — I will keep my friends forever, from all over the U.S. and world. I just don’t hear my friends [from where I am now] talk about their colleges the way we do,” explains Melissa.
For generations, Olivet has been the Gallup’s choice for higher education, but it has been more than that, it has been a place to remember when and how they met their spouse and to reunite with old friends — a place to go home to.