Love by numbers
Published: 3 August 2017
Why would two UofG graduates, who studied in the former Maths and Stats building nearly ten years ago, want to go back to the building just before the demolition work started?
Why would two UofG graduates, who studied Applied Maths in the former Maths and Stats building nearly ten years ago, want to go back to the building just before the demolition work started?
And why were they so keen to retrieve a memento from the old concrete 60s building before it was reduced to rubble?
Because Gavin and Katrina Kerr met in the building, fell in love and got married! The couple have just returned to UofG to pick up a lecture theatre door plaque as a happy souvenir.
How did you meet each other?
Katrina: I was waiting to go into registration in the Maths and Stats building at the start of third year and Gavin turned up with a mutual friend Ryan, who introduced us to each other, and the rest is history! The next day, I was running late to a lecture so by the time I got there, I had to sit at the front. Gavin moved all his stuff to come and sit next to me. That will be ten years ago, in September.
Why is the building important to you?
Katrina: The Maths and Stats building is important to us because it is where we met and where our relationship grew from friendship to something more. It was a bit sad to hear it was coming down so we got in touch with UofG, to ask if we could have a small memento.
Gavin: It was my idea to get in touch, Katrina just wanted to jump the fence and go and take something!
Katrina: We will frame the door plaque and put it up in our house to remind us of good times.
What was your proposal and wedding like?
Gavin: I proposed on Christmas Day. I gave Katrina a big box filled with polystyrene chips and in the bottom was a ring box. But the ring box was empty, so she opened it and turned around and I was down on one knee holding the ring.
Katrina: At first, I thought it was a prank!
Gavin: Then we got married in Loch Lomond. We had a ceilidh band and kilts – a full Scottish wedding. We have been married for 5 years.
How was your time at UofG?
Katrina: I was a terrible student but I loved every minute of it. I still occasionally bump into Dr Murphy who was one of our lecturers and it is great to catch up. I always remember my time at University fondly.
Gavin: I was a good student until I met Katrina! Being at UofG was the best time of my life.
What do you do now?
Gavin: I work for Scotrail as a Revenue Protection Manager. I still use the analysis I picked up in Maths classes.
Katrina: I still use Maths too. I do credit risk modelling for a financial institution.
Will you come back to visit the new building – the Learning and Teaching Hub?
Katrina: Yes, we are still often in the West End so it will be good to see the new building.
First published: 3 August 2017
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