It was love in Stats 330: Dustin and Cathy Coon

What started as an innocent friendship turned into a classic Wayne State love story between Dustin and Cathy Coon. 

Cathy earned her bachelor's degree from what is now the Mike Ilitch School of Business in 1997 and Dustin earned his bachelor's degree in 2001. The two first met in Toni Somers' undergraduate statistics class, known today as BA 2300, which Cathy calls “the most romantic place on earth.”

Throughout their years at school, Cathy and Dustin participated in various activities together such as the Business School Student Senate. Their budding romance began when the two pledged Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity. Dustin said, “Cathy was such a wonderful person. I knew I would settle down with her.”

Through their academics and extracurriculars, Cathy and Dustin created bonds that would last a lifetime. They also made lifelong friendships together that are still growing today. In fact, Dustin proposed to Cathy on their way to visit one of their school friends.

The two were married in 2001, with many of their friends from the Ilitch School present for the celebration.

Cathy and Dustin thank the business school for their love and success. Upon her graduation, Cathy secured an internship at Chrysler with the help of John Taylor, who now serves as chair of the Ilitch School’s Department of Marketing and Global Supply Chain Management. 

“Dr. Taylor is such a great advocate for his students and graduates,” Cathy said. “He submitted my name for an internship at Chrysler and that led to my first job working as a full-time employee at Chrysler.”

Cathy currently works for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, returning to the company several years ago after working for Alcoa, while Dustin owns Wotko LLC, a wire harness and cable assembly company, as well as Pentasource, an industrial manufacturing and distribution firm. They have two wonderful children, John (14) and Ella (9).

Cathy and Dustin share many fond memories of their time at WSU. “Wayne State is such an awesome school, you get out what you put in,” Dustin said. “We have a deep, deep place in our heart for Wayne State,” Cathy added.

Dustin and Cathy at the Prentis Fishbowl, 1995
Delta Sigma Pi pledge class Fall, 1995
Dustin and Cathy on their wedding day, 2001

 

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