{"id":1636,"date":"2023-12-06T11:27:14","date_gmt":"2023-12-06T16:27:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adelphi.edu\/alumni\/?page_id=1636"},"modified":"2026-06-04T09:40:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T13:40:32","slug":"featured-story","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.adelphi.edu\/alumni\/alumni-pride\/adelphi-couples\/featured-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Featured Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Ashley Willoughby ’19 and Daniel Hernandez ’18<\/h2>\n

Ashley and Danny\u2019s story began on Adelphi\u2019s campus, where Greek Life events and mutual friends kept placing them in the same orbit. What started as casual run\u2011ins at Student Activities Board programs soon grew into something more\u2014easy conversations, shared laughter, and a connection that felt increasingly meaningful.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of their favorite memories were made right in the heart of campus. Danny still recalls Ashley doubled over laughing as he attempted to conquer the mechanical bull at Pantherfest\u2014a moment that sparked a tradition they\u2019ve kept alive by returning every year. Ashley\u2019s favorite memories were quieter: standing beside Danny at Spirit Weekend\u2019s Casino Night, learning Blackjack from him and turning it into their own annual ritual.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their relationship grew steadily and intentionally. They took their time, learned each other\u2019s rhythms, and built a foundation rooted in communication and patience. That slow, thoughtful beginning shaped everything that came after.<\/span><\/p>\n

After graduating\u2014Ashley in 2019 and Danny in 2018\u2014their paths continued to unfold in meaningful ways. Ashley earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Touro University in 2022 and now works as a Physical Therapist at Professional Physical Therapy. Danny completed his service with the Marines and now serves as an accountant for Building Homes for Heroes, a veteran nonprofit in Island Park.<\/span><\/p>\n

Together, they\u2019ve embraced adventure and new traditions. They got engaged on August 16, 2025\u2014returning to Adelphi for their engagement photos\u2014and are joyfully planning their August 14, 2027 wedding. They discovered a shared love of running and completed their first NYC Half Marathon side by side. Their travels have taken them from Aruba to Vermont to Disney (Danny\u2019s first time), and they\u2019re excited to explore Iceland this fall. And since 2017, they\u2019ve kept one of their favorite traditions alive: visiting the Jones Beach Christmas Light Show every year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking ahead, they picture a life filled with love, dogs, future children, and a home that feels like their dream. They hope to keep traveling the world and collecting memories as bright as the ones they made at Adelphi.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their advice to current students is simple but powerful: take it slow. In a fast\u2011paced world, they found strength in patience\u2014getting to know each other deeply before taking the next step. It allowed them to grow individually and together, and to truly enjoy the life they\u2019re building.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Harris

Harris and Olivia with the panther on graduation day, May 2019; Bottom: On their wedding day; Announcing their newest adventure- their first child<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/a>Harris Cherpelis ’19, Olivia Minogue Cherpelis ’19, MA ’22<\/h2>\n

Harris and Olivia’s story began at Adelphi, long before either of them realized how much those first days would shape their lives. They met during freshman orientation\u2014Group 7\u2014and while they chatted here and there, something clicked a little deeper at a soccer game during the first week of classes. From that moment on, they kept finding themselves in each other\u2019s orbit: Greek life events, shifts at Campus Recreation, Olivia leading group fitness classes, and Harris working in Rec. What started as an easy friendship slowly grew into something neither of them wanted to ignore.<\/p>\n

After ten years of dating, they married on October 11, 2025. Since graduating from Adelphi, Harris has completed PT school, and Olivia has been building her career in Dance Education, working toward tenure in the South Huntington School District. Now they\u2019re preparing for their biggest adventure yet\u2014their first child, arriving July 2026.<\/p>\n

Their advice to current students is simple: go for it. Don\u2019t let fear of \u201cruining a friendship\u201d keep you from something real. Let your guard down, be yourself, and trust the timing.<\/p>\n

As for the years ahead, they picture a life filled with growth, love, and plenty of time spent lifting together\u2014just like they did on their very first date at the Adelphi gym.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ashley Willoughby ’19 and Daniel Hernandez ’18 Ashley and Danny\u2019s story began on Adelphi\u2019s campus, where Greek Life events and mutual friends kept placing them in the same orbit. What started as casual run\u2011ins at Student Activities Board programs soon grew into something more\u2014easy conversations, shared laughter, and a connection that felt increasingly meaningful. Some…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":1586,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1636","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"Featured Stories | Alumni & Friends<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.adelphi.edu\/alumni\/alumni-pride\/adelphi-couples\/featured-story\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Featured Stories | Alumni & Friends\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Ashley Willoughby ’19 and Daniel Hernandez ’18 Ashley and Danny\u2019s story began on Adelphi\u2019s campus, where Greek Life events and mutual friends kept placing them in the same orbit. 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