It's unlikely that you would ever see a slide rule cake at a wedding, but for UDM engineering alumni Stephen Coleman and Vanessa Rubio Coleman, the uniquely designed groom's cake represented a special occasion that led to their wedding on Dec. 31, 2009.

Slide rule groom's cake at Stephen Coleman's and Vanessa Rubio Coleman's wedding. Photo by Ben Chrisman Photography.

As Vanessa recounts:

"We initially met in the Principles of Electrical Engineering class in Term III 2005, however nothing came of it other than a new classmate. At the 2006 Slide Rule Dance, both Stephen and I attended the event solo. At some point in the evening, a couple of us were standing around a cocktail table chatting and a slow song started to play. All the dates walked hand-in-hand to the dance floor and Stephen and I were left standing at the table by ourselves. After a while of uncomfortably staring at the people dancing, I asked him if he'd like to dance, and we've been dancing together ever since."

Today, the couple makes their home in Northern California. Stephen, with a mechanical engineering degree, is a software systems consultant for Accenture, a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. He is currently working on a statewide automation project for the Health and Human Services Department for the State of California.

Stephen Coleman and Vanessa Rubio Coleman on their wedding day, Dec. 31, 2009. Photo by Ben Chrisman Photography.

Vanessa, with a civil engineering degree, is a safety and environmental engineer for NEC Electronics, Inc., a developer, manufacturer, and supplier of semiconductor and electronic components for the electronic, data processing, telecommunications, automotive, industrial, and consumer markets. She manages the environmental programs applicable to a client site, such as the air pollution abatement program, wastewater treatment program and hazardous waste management program.

"Both Stephen and I have very strong, positive feelings for the University, and more specifically the College," says Vanessa. "When asked where we attended undergraduate school, we both, all-smiles say, 'the University of Detroit Mercy,' and, almost always get looks of confusion. We proceed to say 'a small, private Catholic school in Detroit, Michigan.' I usually go on to say that our education and program helped prepare us for the real working-world environment through our cooperative program, and that a UDM engineering student cannot receive a diploma until three semesters of co-op are completed. I also state the fact that UDM has the third oldest, continuous cooperative program in the country for engineering. Both Stephen and I actually knew our professors and they knew us; that we were taught by them and not by grad students. Usually people are impressed with those facts, especially the co-op experience because it explains the reason we look so young, hold the positions we do and have the work experiences and knowledge we have.

"I can honestly say UDM's slogan 'We want great things for you' is very fitting," adds Vanessa. "We both feel the faculty and staff at the College truly did and do want great things for their students. And I can also say that we are truly appreciative of them for sharing their knowledge and helping us prepare for our future that we are presently living."