Greg or Mendel
Courtney Pike (2003 ExxonMobil Pubic Relations Intern)
Once upon a time, two college students had no idea that one science class at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab would help them live happily ever after. On May 24, 2004, Greg Graeber and Mendel Amster said their wedding vows on the Dauphin Island beach, a few steps away from the place that they first met each other. When they had entered the University Summer School Program four years ago, Greg and Mendel didn’t think there would be so much chemistry in their oceanography class.
They both learned marine science at the Sea Lab years ago, and now, they both teach marine science classes there. Presently, Greg and Mendel Graeber are Discovery Hall Program (DHP) educators at the Sea Lab. During the summer of 1999, they met in an oceanography course, and they’ve been inseparable ever since then.
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By chance, luck, or some act of fate, Greg and Mendel signed up for the same science class. Greg said, “There was a very small window of opportunity for us.” Instead of attending Ole Miss like his family, Greg chose to major in marine science at Auburn University, and Mendel unexpectedly chose to pursue a degree in environmental science at Alabama State University. These decisions set up their encounter perfectly. |
 Mendel and Greg celebrate their wedding reception at the Estuarium. Check out the magnificent sand castle cake! |
Nick Judin, one of Greg’s students, said, “Even their names
prove that they belong together.” Science enthusiasts revel in the
fact that the unique names of this couple combine to form the name of
the founder of genetics, Gregor Mendel. Greg said that his mom loves to
call them and leave a message that asks, “Is ‘Greg or Mendel’
home?”
If they’re not at home or working, Greg and Mendel love to go camping,
and they enjoy visiting aquariums together. Even on their honeymoon, the
couple could not escape their love for science as they visited an aquarium
in Ireland.
During the school year, the newlyweds get the opportunity to travel together
with BayMobile and teach marine science to students throughout Alabama.
Greg and Mendel agreed that they have different personalities, but their
differences complement each other both inside and outside the classroom.
“My reserved and serious nature tends to ground Greg’s goofiness,”
said Mendel. When they first started dating, Mendel said she didn’t
think she would marry Greg. As she laughed, Mendel said, “I remember
telling my friends that first summer, wouldn’t it be funny if I end
up marrying Greg?”
Greg said that the participants at the Sea Lab always laugh and demand
to see wedding pictures after hearing the enchanting story of the couple’s
history at the Sea Lab. Greg and Mendel plan to continue their career
as DHP educators and live happily ever after on the island where their
fairy tale began.
(Greg and Mendel will be featured in the Spring 2004 issue of Southern
Breeze Magazine)
The Happy Couple
