Ferris State University freshman Aleya Davis, a Pre-Pharmacy student from Saginaw,
displays her engagement ring, after a surprise proposal on campus Saturday, Aug. 24.
Her fiancé, David Gordon has begun Basic Training in the United States Army, but may
ultimately pursue a Business Management degree at Ferris.Aleya Davis had her academic future as a primary consideration when she moved onto the Ferris State University campus Thursday, Aug. 22. Others, close to her, had their own notions to advance.
The freshman from Saginaw arrived to begin her first semester in the Pre-Pharmacy program and settled into North Hall with her roommate, Kelly Bertram. When Aleya’s boyfriend, David Gordon, came to visit on Saturday, Aug. 24, the potential existed for difficult moments. Gordon was due to enter basic training with the United States Army Monday, Aug. 26 as Davis was to begin her first classes at Ferris.
“We spent some time in my residence hall, then he suggested that we walk over to Bond Circle,” Davis said. “It turned out that David had reached out to Kelly, trying to find the right place to propose marriage to me. He had received several photos of spots around campus that might be right for the occasion, and that was the choice he made.”
The two took a spot on a bench near the flowerbeds, and Gordon made a symbolic gesture to set up his greater intention for this visit to campus.
“We would say that when the time came to get engaged, it wouldn’t matter if David used a string, or just put a piece of grass around my finger,” Davis said. “He got out those symbols and tied them around my finger. Then, David produced an engagement ring and followed it with his proposal.”
Davis was surprised yet excited about this next step in their relationship, one going on for years.
“We met in the fourth grade and have been friends since that time,” Davis said. “We started dating during our senior year at Heritage High School. I was surprised that his proposal came about like that. David was heading off for basic training, and I thought we might reach this point by the end of his time in the service.”
Aleya said she will concern herself with her studies for the time being, but looks forward to the time when she and Gordon can be together on campus.
“After David completes his three-year commitment in the military, he is looking to take up Business Management here at Ferris,” Davis said. “I should be nearly done with my Pre-Pharmacy degree by then. Which means, we should be able to continue at a pace that works well with both of our educational schedules.”