Your CMU Love Story

When your family shares your Tartan pride, it’s a cause for celebration! Whether you’re passionate about science, soccer or symphonies, we’re honored to be a part of your story.

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A Second Chance at Love

Both Fred (E 1959, TPR 1961) and Lyn Heider (S 1953) attended Carnegie Mellon, but not at the same time.

It took a CMU-sponsored trip to Lake Como in Italy in 2002 — more than four decades after graduation — to finally bring them together. On the night they met, they discovered a shared love of martinis, had dinner together and took a romantic walk along the shore.

Even though they lived in different states, their relationship continued to blossom once they returned home.

“I knew I’d found the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with,” Fred says.

The two were married in June 2003, surrounded by their loving families. Both widowed, Fred and Lyn have five children and 12 grandchildren between them.

These proud Tartans look back fondly on their CMU experience and continue to give back so today’s students can benefit from the same financial support they did.

“I never dreamed of going to grad school, and I’m so grateful I had that opportunity,” Lyn says.

Off the Beaten Track

Patricia Fall Salamy (DC 1988) and Andrew Salamy (TPR 1989) ran in the same circle as members of the CMU track team — but they never became close.

A few years after graduation, they recognized each other at a stoplight in New York City — just before the light changed and they went their separate ways. Later, Andy looked up Pat’s number in the phone book, and the rest became their history!

Twenty-seven years and three amazing children later, Pat and Andy’s daughter, Sydney, is continuing the family tradition as a first-year student at CMU.

“We love Sydney’s spirit and admire her determination,” Pat says. “As a child at four or five years old, she was obsessed with climbing — anything! She would scale fences, trees, even the sides of buildings. Whatever she took on, from academics to activities outside school, you knew that her emphatic determination would get her through.”

Like Father, Like Daughter

Rob Beatty (A 1979) was delighted when his daughter, Laurel (A 2017, CMU 2018), decided to follow in his footsteps by attending his alma mater, Carnegie Mellon.

Both music majors, they performed in many of the same venues and even lived in the same first-year residence hall. Laurel also earned her master’s degree in arts management at CMU.

“My parents have been incredibly supportive throughout my entire life,” Laurel says, “I’m lucky to have inherited my dad’s love of music, creative mind and sense of humor.”

Rob says he admires his daughter’s motivation, leadership skills and willingness to put up with his dad jokes.

For both Rob and Laurel, Tartan pride is a family tradition.

“I give back so the next generation of students will have the same opportunities we had,” Rob says. “CMU’s music faculty is one of the best around.”