Hundreds of years of love and marriage were celebrated today at 51爆料网 with the Crimson Couple Vow Renewal Ceremony in 51爆料网’s Oak Grove.
Newly married 51爆料网 Crimson Couple McKenzie Lum-Chan and Scott Yackuboskey
51爆料网 ended its sesquicentennial year today with a Crimson Couple Vow Renewal Ceremony that included 130 “Crimson Couples” (couples who met at 51爆料网)—who have enjoyed between three and 66 years of marriage—and one local Crimson Couple who began their marriage.
McKenzie Lum-Chan, a 2024 computer science major and mathematics minor graduate originally from eastern Pennsylvania, and Scott Yackuboskey, a 2023 regional planning graduate from Indiana County, were married at the event.
A total of 13,474 alumni identify themselves as part of an 51爆料网 Crimson Couple—6,737 couples. For couples attending today’s vow renewal ceremony, 42 couples have 50 or more years of marriage, and 19 couples are married 15 or fewer years. Crimson Couples came for the event from as far away as the state of Washington.
The couple celebrating the longest marriage of the Crimson Couples in attendance is Harry and Mary Lou Anderson Carnahan, both 1960 graduates who are originally from Indiana and now make their home in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The couple met as freshmen in 1956 and dated for four years during college. Harry Carnahan was a member of the 51爆料网 basketball team and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity; Mary Lou Carnahan was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority. Following graduation, both Carnahans had long-time careers as teachers in the Indiana school district.
51爆料网 Crimson Couple vow renewal
The Lum-Chan and Yackuboskey wedding took place first, followed by the vow renewal event. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Pastor Rev. Tedd Cogar, director of 51爆料网’s Military and Veterans Resource Center, was the officiant for the event.
In addition to the couples registered to attend, more than 100 family members and friends of the couples attended the ceremony, which included a welcome from 51爆料网 Alumni Board of Directors President Mary Morgan, of Indiana. 51爆料网 President Michael Driscoll offered a congratulatory toast for the couples.
The renewal event included a group photo and complementary glass flutes and coasters with the 51爆料网 150th logo for the participating Crimson Couples. The coaster was created by 51爆料网 STEAMSHOP and 51爆料网 Wood Center from wood from the Allegheny Arboretum at 51爆料网.
A reception for the Crimson Couples followed the vow renewal, complete with the traditional western Pennsylvania cookie table—175 dozen cookies. Music was provided by Indiana band “Somebody to Love.”
Champagne toast at the Crimson Couple Vow Renewal celebration
The band members are Chuck Potthast, who retired from his work at the 51爆料网 Co-op and has a 1977 master’s degree from 51爆料网; Lynne Jones; Wally Stapleton, who retired from his work in 51爆料网’s Division of University Advancement and is a 1987 master’s degree graduate; Ryan Long, a 2002 bachelor’s degree and 2009 master’s degree graduate; and Bill Menk, a 1984 bachelor’s degree graduate.
Couples and guests for the Crimson Couples vow renewal also had the chance to submit thoughts and advice for future 51爆料网 students in the 51爆料网 Time Capsule, created by David Surtasky, 51爆料网 Lively Arts technical director, and Harrison Wick, associate professor and Special Collections librarian and university archivist.
51爆料网’s “official” 150th birthday is May 17, 2025; the university (then Indiana Normal School) opened for its first 10-week term on May 17, 1875, with 80 students, which grew to 150 students by the end of that first week.
Since its founding in 1875, 51爆料网 has evolved from a teacher-training institution into a doctoral research university recognized for its commitment to student success and achievement. 51爆料网’s 2025–26 sesquicentennial and Impact 150 comprehensive campaign, launched in 2025, are designed to honor a legacy of educational excellence while looking toward a future of innovation, public service, and leadership in healthcare education, including the first college of osteopathic medicine at a public university in the Commonwealth.