Duck Diaries: Stevens “Power Couples” Keep Our Community Strong
It isn’t unusual for romance to bloom on a college campus. Couples meet, fall in love, and sometimes even marry and build families. What makes these “power couples” special is their continued commitment to their alma mater. Their contributions of time, talent and philanthropic support are important to the fabric of the Stevens community. We hope you enjoy – and are inspired by – their Stevens pride!
Maria D. Ramirez-González ’89 and Hermes O. González-Bello ’89 M.S. ’95
How did Stevens bring you together? We met in the spring semester of our high school senior year while attending Saturday classes at Stevens. We had arrived in the U.S. from Cuba only three years earlier. We were both interested in studying engineering at Stevens, but in order to meet the admission requirements we had to take some key advanced math and science courses at Stevens while finishing high school in West New York and Union City. Every Saturday, we would ride the city bus together to and from Stevens. This is how we met, began a lifelong friendship and fell in love. We were both driven and wanted to achieve our goal of becoming engineers at Stevens.
Did you have a favorite place on campus that you liked to meet? It is such a beautiful campus that every spot was special. We were so busy during the day with classes and studying that there wasn’t much time to socialize. Our schedules were different and often we wouldn’t see each other until the end of the day. With one of us living on campus and the other off, most of the time we spent together was during weekends.
When did you get married? We got married on June 4, 1989, soon after our May graduation from Stevens.
How has Stevens remained a part of your lives? Stevens has been integral to the fabric of our journey. When we first came to Stevens we were like “tumbleweeds,” lacking societal awareness, financial resources, and the academic background for such a rigorous curriculum. We had to work very hard very quickly to catch up academically. We sought out guidance through mentors who were willing to help us, and we looked for financial aid wherever we could. We know firsthand the sacrifices and drive needed to succeed. When we graduated, we knew we had to remain part of the Stevens community and one day perhaps give back to pave the way for someone else’s dreams and aspirations. Supporting the college education of underprivileged and first-generation college students at Stevens is a cause that’s near and dear to us. That’s why, in addition to ongoing support for various programs at Stevens, we have instituted the González-Ramirez Term Scholarship. In addition to helping students financially, we mentor them and support their success at this wonderful institution that we know can help make their dreams of becoming engineers a reality.
It is very important for us to give back to the institution that helped shape our education and gave us the platform to succeed in our careers. In addition to all our financial contributions to Stevens, Hermes serves on the board of trustees, focused on providing good stewardship of the institution’s mission. Maria serves as co-chair of the Edwin A. Stevens Society and is always connecting with the university’s most engaged supporters.
Why have you chosen to stay involved with Stevens? Stevens has gone through many transformational and transitional eras, but we believe that President Nariman Farvardin’s leadership has reshaped the university’s trajectory. It invigorates our commitment and inspires us to continue to stay involved with Stevens and support its mission.
What would you say to your fellow alumni to encourage them to stay connected to Stevens? Begin by reading the “Spring 2025: Good News and Welcome Back” letter from Dr. Farvardin dated January 22, 2025. The letter outlines all the recent remarkable achievements of the university. It is a great way to spark a connection. Also, familiarize yourself with the prestigious rankings the institution has attained. And be sure to visit StevensConnects to network with other Stevens alumni and find your community!
Cindy Chin Levine ’05 M.S. ’05, Ed.D. and Joshua S. Levine ’05 M.S. ’05
How did Stevens bring you together? Stevens is the foundation of our relationship. We were both in the second graduating class of the undergraduate business program and had almost all of our classes together for four years.
Did you have a favorite place on campus that you liked to meet? Since we were in the same undergraduate program, we were in classes together, did homework and studied together across campus.
When did you get married? We were married June 2009, nearly eight years after we met. We took our engagement photos on Stevens campus!
How has Stevens remained a part of your lives? We lived in Hoboken before and after our wedding for nearly 15 years. We would frequent campus often for Alumni Weekend and other events. Our daughter even took swim lessons at Stevens when she was six months old. As class president, I (Cindy) stayed active with the Stevens Alumni Association, and of course, my current role as vice president for enrollment management brought me back to Stevens, which certainly helps!
Why have you chosen to stay involved with Stevens? It is amazing to see the transformation at Stevens from when we were students until now. It is hard to not want to stay involved when the university has grown so much, and for the positive.
What would you say to your fellow alumni to encourage them to stay connected to Stevens? Remember the good times and remember the significant role that hopefully Stevens played in your journey. Hopefully by staying connected, you will continue to feel young and be able to contribute to the future of the university and its students.
Ashley Tomasura Greenberg ’15 and Chase Greenberg ’15
How did Stevens bring you together? We have known each other since kindergarten, growing up in the same town. Geographically, we were apart for middle and high school and started at separate colleges. When Ashley was feeling unfulfilled at her school that first year, she reached out to Chase just prior to winter break. Chase brought Ashley to Professor Calhoun’s QF101 class, and she made the decision that Stevens was where she wanted to be. Within the next few weeks, she was set up to transfer in the next academic year.
Did you have a favorite place on campus that you liked to meet? We were constantly sitting in the business school’s Center for Student Success talking with friends. We also counted Hoboken as part of Stevens’ campus – every Thursday night during senior year was spent at Panera between Senior Design and night classes (‘Nera Thursdays) and we had an apartment across from Margherita’s where they eventually not only knew us by name but would just bring our food out when we arrived (penne vodka and cavatelli and broccoli).
When did you get married? We got married on September 23, 2016 at The Central Park Boathouse in Central Park, NY.
How has Stevens remained a part of your lives? We were on campus just recently to celebrate the Stevens Student Managed Investment Fund (SSMIF) 10-year reunion. It was a wonderful event. As founding members of SSMIF, it was rewarding to see how much it has grown and to learn the impact it is making. We also continue to work closely with the School of Business to help undergraduate recruitment within the finance industry. Goldman Sachs, where we both work, hosts the SSMIF at their New York headquarters for semi-annual market updates and information sessions from Stevens alumni.
Why have you chosen to stay involved with Stevens? Stevens has made an outsized impact on both of our lives. Many alumni, professors and staff continue to be part of our lives as colleagues and friends and we find it extremely important, given the opportunities afforded to us during our time at Stevens, to pay it forward to the current class of students.
What would you say to your fellow alumni to encourage them to stay connected to Stevens? Remember your time at Stevens and think about what stands out the most to you. There are many ways to target your efforts to help the school and its current students. Even if you find that today is not the ideal time to get involved, there will come a time when you can devote resources, whatever those may be, to advancing the efforts at Stevens and it will feel as rewarding as when you were a student for the first time.
We are grateful to our alumni “power couples” for all they do to strengthen the Stevens experience for new generations of students. Thank you. We know that there are many “Stevens sweethearts” out there. If you know of another couple who began their life together at Stevens – or if you are one – we hope to hear from you! Share your story for the opportunity to be featured on our Stevens Alumni Association social media accounts.