Ashland University’s values are deeply rooted in its commitment to the individual and its Christian heritage; however, one more value can be added to this list – love. 

From childhood sweethearts to couples who met in college, AU has proven to be more than a place to earn a degree but a place where lifelong commitments are formed. 

Playground love and a promise of forever 

Students Kirstin Eades and Evan Coil began dating in fifth grade. Coil initiated the relationship with Eades, and the two have been going strong for nine years. 

Both are now students at Ashland University; Eades is a forensic biology major, and Coil is a sports management major, both in their third year of college and engaged. 

Coil planned the proposal in 2025 with their mothers. 

“My mom and her mom found a photographer and then it was kind of just being in the right place and making it through a snowstorm on the way up there,” Coil said. 

He proposed to Eades at Niagara Falls, and she was in shock but happy, nonetheless. 

They both agreed it was kind of spontaneous but expected since they’ve been together for so long and discussed being engaged soon previously. 

Many college students face great trials and tribulations during college: academic pressure, social struggles and other early adulthood challenges.  But, for Coil and Eades their college life has only strengthened their relationship in unexpected ways: “I think it has helped us live more together,” Eades said. 

College life has allowed Coil and Eades to experience being together and gives them a chance to see how they can help each other.  For example, they do a lot of studying with one another during finalsweek which reflects how they’ll deal with real world stress together. 

“He did all his work, and I wrote all my science stuff on the board,” Eades said.  “We just helped each other through it.” 

But they also face their own trials such as being a college student with college classes, wedding planning and not knowing where exactly where their majors will lead them in their careers. 

But that doesn’t stop them from imaging their bright future together.  “I definitely want to fully move in together and live with each other, maybe get a pet. Just focus on our lives and our jobs and get settled down,” Eades said. 

Despite a few uncertainties about where the future may take them, both Eades and Coil know that for certain they’re meant to be. 

“If you know who you want to be with and that’s what’s meant to be then the timing doesn’t really matter,” Eades said. 

“Nothing really changes when you’re engaged,” Coil added. 

From psych to a lifetime of love 

AU isn’t only a place that helps grow a love story, such as Eades and Coil, but can create one from scratch. 

Maggie McKnight and Kolby Krebs met during McKnight’s freshman year and Krebs’ sophomore year.  They met in Chair of the Psychology Department’s Christopher Chartier’s Psychology 101 class. 

On the first day of Chartier’s class, he has his students stand up on the first day of classes and interact with people they don’t know with explained Krebs. 

“I happened to interact with Maggie,” Krebs said.  “And then I eventually found her Instagram.” 

Then, the rest is history. 

McKnight convinced herself that he was being a good classmate and wanted to help her integrate into college life; however, Krebs had other intentions. 

They shared the same exact humor, the way they typed and talked. “It was just like looking in a mirror.” 

“I knew from that moment on if I wasn’t going to date this girl, I was at least going to be friends with her because she was cool,” Krebs said. 

In 2025 Krebs made the decision to propose to McKnight, hoping to officially make it forever  

“It was of course very stressful, but it felt so right,” Krebs said.   

Krebs proposed to McKnight in gardens near her home; she remembers it being very humid that day.  As the two walked around she didn’t notice the shaking of Krebs’ hands as he was holding hers. 

“I was so focused on these [hydrangeas], the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my life,” McKnight said. 

Her fixation on these flowers distracted her from the initial fact that she was being proposed to. 

She asked herself, “is this about to happen?” 

It indeed did happen. 

Krebs memorized his entire speech and then McKnight said yes to forever. 

Pre-engagement, engagement life and marriage all look the same for the couple: “I don’t picture it being much different than what we do now.  We sit and make a schedule for the week, and we try to eat lunch and dinner together, if we have time for those two meals.” 

They also try to get at least one hug a day with each other. 

“We’re very good at coexisting,” Krebs said. 

They find that they simply work well with one another: “Our personalities, our work ethic, the things we want out of our lives – they fit so well,” McKnight said.   

“It’s kind of undeniable that we’re supposed to be together,” McKnight added. 

Despite being college-aged students, they advise other college aged students that there isn’t such a thing as too young. 

“I know it’s cliché, but when you know, you know,” Krebs said.   

McKnight finds she’s comfortable in this season of engagement and advises other students engaged that there’s no rush. 

“Just take your time,” McKnight said.  

She got engaged in 2025 and the wedding will be in 2027. During this time, she’s happy to have cushion to not stress about wedding planning because she has time to plan every single detail without rushing. 

Their love story will continue in the Spring of 2027 where the professor whose class they met in, Chartier, will be officiating their wedding. 

Chartier is very excited to be part of this moment for both McKnight and Krebs. 

“I have a class with him this semester, and he told our entire class,” McKnight said. 

Moving forward, they’ll continue building on the strong foundation they’ve built currently, especially getting in their daily hug. 

Love has no age or time at Ashland University; it’s not only a place to get an education but also to possibly find your forever person.