Meet Ashley Smith Wallace, ‘10 and Chad Wallace, ‘11, who found each other as undergraduates at Manhattanville during the late 2000’s.
Ashley graduated in 2010 with a degree in Dance and Theater, and Chad graduated a year later with a degree in Communication Studies. During their time on campus, both were heavily involved in extracurricular clubs and activities, with Ashley being a proud member of Dance Troup and Dance Ensemble. Chad, having transferred to Manhattanville at the start of his sophomore year, was a valued member of the Valiant Baseball team during all three seasons that he attended Manhattanville. They now live in Connecticut with their two beautiful children, a 5-year old and a 17-month old.
We recently had an opportunity to catch up with the happy couple and what follows is an excerpt of that conversation.
Can you describe your overall experience at Manhattanville? Are there moments or experiences that stand out most when you think back on your time here?
Ashley - These were the best 4 years of my life in more ways than I can ever be able to explain. The relationships forged and friends I’ve made, not only shaped my college days, but every year since graduating, my friends have been there for me every step of the way, I would not be the woman I am today without them in my life.
Chad - Because it’s a smaller campus, I was able to fully immerse myself not just as a student, but as a person. Being part of the baseball program taught me discipline, accountability, and how to be part of something bigger than myself, while the close-knit community exposed me to people from all walks of life and perspectives I may not have encountered otherwise. And on a more personal note, Manhattanville also gave me my greatest gift: I met my wife at Manhattanville! It’s a reminder that the moments that shape your life most aren’t always on the syllabus.
How did you meet?
Ashley and Chad - We met for the first time downstairs in Brownson Hall outside the Little Theatre, Ashley was going into the theatre for rehearsal and myself and a few of our friends were coming out of an Intro class at the time.
What are some of your favorite memories of your relationship while you were both on campus?
Ashley and Chad - Some of our favorite memories from our relationship during college are rooted in the simple, everyday moments that Manhattanville made possible. Thank God for the smoothie stand that used to be in the library. If I didn’t love smoothies so much, I might never have walked right by Ashley, taking her breath away. That space, along with our mutual friends, gave us the chance to get to know each other quickly, which was especially meaningful since we didn’t meet until her final semester.
Also, those early Dunkin’ Donuts runs off campus before class! Those eventually turned into daytime dates, and they became some of our favorite routines. But what truly ignited our relationship was meeting right before I left for Spring Training in Florida with the baseball team (yes, we took the bus). While I was away, during my downtime from baseball, Ashley and I talked about our lives, our goals and values, and by the time I came back, it felt like we had known each other for years.
Looking back, Manhattanville didn’t just give us memories; it gave us the environment, timing, and people that helped turn a chance meeting into the relationship to which we could build our lives upon.
How did you two get married?
Ashley and Chad - We’ve been married for almost nine years now and we’ll celebrate our anniversary on May 27th. I asked her to marry me on August 30th, 2015, outside the Pasadena Playhouse in California, where Ashley was performing West Side Story at Fireside Theatre. Because she is a dancer and performer, I wanted the moment to feel personal and meaningful and something that reflected her love for theatre and the arts.
Are you still in touch with your friends from Manhattanville?
Ashley and Chad – Yes, 1000%. Not a day goes by where we don’t talk or think about all our friends and relationships that were built because of Manhattanville.
How have those relationships evolved over time?
Ashley and Chad – Our friends play such an important role in our lives now, if not more than ever. They’re the people who have walked along side of us from before our marriage, through parenthood and throughout all the beautiful chaos in between. They show up for our kids and love them like their own. They remind us that none of this is meant to be done alone.
What advice would you give to current Manhattanville students?
Ashley and Chad – There will be a day when you will beg to go back and put the baseball uniform or dance clothes back on one more time. So, do not coast, don’t complain, win the day, win the rep, win the moment. Because you are living the years that you will talk about for the rest of your lives.
About Manhattanville University
Manhattanville University (formerly Manhattanville College) is a private liberal arts institution dedicated to academic excellence, purposeful education, and social responsibility. “U.S. News and World Report” ranks Manhattanville among the Top Performers of Social Mobility in Regional Universities North. The university has been recognized among the best colleges in The Princeton Review for close to 20 years. Located 30 miles from New York City on a 100-acre suburban campus in the heart of Westchester County, Manhattanville enables easy access to entertainment offerings, educational resources, and business opportunities for its diverse student body. The university serves more than 1,400 undergraduate students and nearly 1,000 graduate students from more than 44 countries and 33 states. Founded in 1841, the university offers more than 75 undergraduate and graduate areas of study in the arts and sciences, education, nursing and health sciences, business, and creative writing, as well as continuing and executive education programs. Graduate students can choose from over 70 graduate and certificate programs. Extracurricular offerings include more than 45 clubs and activities, and 23 NCAA Division III teams. For more information, visit mville.edu
