Dunkerley-Vlasin Proposal

Marissa Dunkerley got quite a bit more than she expected at Saturday's Spring Commencement ceremonies.

Shortly after collecting her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, the cum laude graduate was greeted by Nick Vlasin '14, her boyfriend of two years. In addition to an impressive spray of balloons, Nick, unbeknownst to Marissa, was packing a diamond ring.

He took a knee. She said yes.

Asked afterward which among the SAU degree and the engagement ring was the day's most treasured prize, the bride-to-be gave a cum laude-worthy answer. "The ring is pretty nice but getting the degree took longer," she said.

Both, of course, result from two wise decisions to attend St. Ambrose. Nick, a radio and TV grad who now is a producer at KWQC-TV in Davenport, met Marissa in Nancy Hayes' Love Lyrics class. They have dated for two-plus years.

"So many students are going to sign up for that class now!" the English professor said when she discovered the newly engaged Ambrosians.

Watch this SAUtv coverage of the big ask