好色先生 instructors can readily share stories about how they鈥檝e made a lasting impact in the lives of their students. But, Biology professor Michelle Zurawski鈥檚 latest success story takes the cake.
On June 15, Zurawski officiated the wedding of Jen Krasny from Worth and Kevin Davenport of New Lenox, two alumni who met in her Introduction to Marine Biology course six years ago.
Over the course of their relationship, the couple said they always knew two things for certain about their future nuptials. They鈥檇 get married in nature鈥攖hey chose White Pines Wedding Canyon in Mount Morris, Ill. And, they wanted Zurawski to help them tie the knot.
鈥淲e both knew we wanted Michelle,鈥� the bride said. 鈥淲e were really nervous about it. It鈥檚 a lot to ask of somebody, and you never know what they鈥檙e going to feel about that. She didn鈥檛 hesitate at all.鈥�
Zurawski said she was 鈥渙verwhelmed with joy鈥� when asked to play such an important role at their wedding.
鈥淲hat an honor to be such an integral part of their love story,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his is only one of the biggest days of their entire life, so I鈥檝e been working very hard to make it special. I respect them so much.鈥�
The mutual admiration began in spring 2012 during Zurawski鈥檚 annual marine biology course, which includes a trip to Belize. Davenport was in his first year at Moraine Valley. And, Krasny, who took the course in 2010, decided to take it again as an independent study for her burgeoning career at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. During the wedding ceremony, Zurawski called it 鈥渢he best decision of Jen鈥檚 life.鈥�
鈥淲hen we were in the class I didn鈥檛 see that relationship developing,鈥� the professor said. 鈥淏ut, as soon as we got back from the trip, I noticed some pairing up.鈥�
A few months later Krasny and Davenport were a couple, and after both graduated from Moraine Valley, it was clear Zurawski would be more than just a former professor from their past.
鈥淪he鈥檚 an awesome person,鈥� the groom said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 been a mentor to us in terms of career advice. She鈥檚 a reference of mine, and she鈥檚 been a good friend to us.鈥�
Zurawski expects to stay in touch with the newlyweds for years to come.
鈥淚鈥檝e seen them grow as college students and then professionals as well,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ow it鈥檚 so nice to continue to be not only just someone who was their professor, but a friend.鈥�
