Swoops and champagne: 30 couples who met at the University of North Florida renew vows

Thirty couples whose lives together began at the University of North Florida — one of them celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary — recently renewed their vows in a joint on-campus ceremony.

UNF President Moez Limayem led the "Blessed at the Nest" event at the University Center, the first of its kind at the university on Jacksonville's Southside since 2012.

"Welcome back to the nest," Limayem told them. "We are all elated that you found a partner that you love, honor and cherish at this university, UNF."

Afterward the couples kissed, performed the UNF "swoop" gesture and celebrated with food and champagne. The Alumni Association gave them commemorative gifts.

The longest-married couple in the group was Philip Mobley, class of 1975, and his wife Lotonia "Toni" Mobley, Class of 1976. They exchanged their first "I do's" on June 29, 1974, two years after UNF opened. They met at a student government meeting and now live in Lake City.

The Mobleys had not planned a 50th-anniversary celebration but changed their minds when they received an invitation to the vow renewal from the Alumni Association, according to UNF. Mobley was once on the association board.

"UNF has been an important part of our lives," he said. "When people see us, they know we’re UNF alum. It’s a big part of us."

Mobley, who formerly worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Duval County Public Schools, is currently a manager at NorthStar Family Resource Center. Toni Mobley is retired after a career with Duval County Public Schools, according to UNF.

"The key to marriage is that it takes work," Philip Mobley said to the newer couples. "It takes effort from both parties, respect and understanding. It’s also important to keep the romantic part of a marriage. Don’t let it get old."

One of the younger couples was Palmer Frye and Emily Gansert-Frye, both Class of 2018. He studied mechanical engineering, she majored in biology and they shared a pre-calculus class.

When he asked to study together for an upcoming quiz, she accepted. She "quickly learned about his passion for cars, bass guitar and his family and fell in love with his humor and quirky personality," UNF said. They married in December 2023.

University of North Florida:50 years of learning and growing and a look ahead

Palmer Frye now works for a small Orlando-based government contractor. Emily Gansert-Frye recently graduated from the Florida State University medical school and is now in an internal medicine residency at Jacksonville's Mayo Clinic.

"UNF is a place we’ll look back at with fondness," she said. She and her husband were "excited to have the opportunity to reaffirm our love and commitment to each other," she said.

bcravey@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4109