They met at Mississippi State, and both graduated with bachelor's degrees in history. Though they had many of the same friends, they only knew one another as acquaintances.
However, Bailey Owens and William Poindexter started seeing a lot of each other because they kept taking the same classes. Then, they became friends.
They graduated in 2009 and 2010, respectively, and both enrolled in the public policy and administration graduate program. They started dating.
After receiving his master's degree in 2013, Poindexter landed a job as an extension associate in the Center for Government and Community Development, part of the MSU Extension Service. Owens, on the other hand, works as an administrative assistant in the MSU Foundation office.
Poindexter proposed marriage to Owens on the same day the university closed for winter break—Dec. 20—and he asked her on campus.
"This is where we live; this is where we got our degrees; this is where we met—it suited us to get engaged in The Junction," Owens explained.
Poindexter said he never thought about proposing to Owens anywhere other than at Mississippi State.
"I've had some big moments because of Mississippi State," he said. "I knew when I graduated that I love this place, and I love it now. There are just so many good memories here."
Though Owens and Poindexter set the date for Dec. 13, 2014, at First United Methodist Church Starkville, their reception will be at Hunter Henry Center, home of the Division of Development and Alumni at MSU.
"Though the wedding will be traditional, Mississippi State will still be there," Owens said.
Not only are the pair avid tailgaters and sports enthusiasts, Owens and Poindexter have many favorite campus spots. Poindexter said he particularly enjoys Bowen Hall, the home of the political science and public administration department, while Owens really likes Mitchell Memorial Library.
They both enjoy spending time on the Drill Field, the heart and center of campus, they agreed.
"We're supportive of campus, and we love Mississippi State," Owens said. "We love each other, and we believe in doing for this state. We both want to be here, and we see other young people doing their best to make this place better every day."
Poindexter said he and Owens are investing as much effort as they can to make the university, Starkville and Mississippi rise to new, uncharted heights.