Vanderbilt is viewed as a launching point in many ways; it鈥檚 a place where careers take off, friendships flourish, talents and passions are discovered, new experiences are welcomed, and campus traditions create lasting memories. For Dani Klafter and Sam Blum, Vanderbilt is all of that and more: It鈥檚 where their paths crossed, setting the stage for happily ever after and an unintentionally historic proposal.
Sam and Dani, both engineering graduates in the Class of 2022, became engaged after Sam proposed on Vanderbilt鈥檚 Chelsea campus in November 2025. In a moment that was intentionally symbolic and accidentally momentous, the two made Vanderbilt history as the first couple to get engaged on the Vanderbilt University鈥揘ew York City campus.
From physics to friendship
Both Florida natives, Sam from Aventura and Dani from Boynton Beach, the couple arrived at Vanderbilt as strangers. They first crossed paths in physics lab freshman year, where Dani caught Sam鈥檚 eye.
Although a romantic connection didn鈥檛 have the chance to brew in physics lab, Dani left an impression on Sam. They reconnected at a Vanderbilt tailgate in the fall of 2019 through mutual friends. From there, they continued spending time together with groups of friends and further grew their connection by attending campus traditions like the former Tortellini Tuesdays at Rand Dining Hall and grabbing coffee at Local Java.
鈥淪ince we were both in engineering, it was really common to have similar class schedules and natural opportunities for our friendship to grow into something more,鈥� Dani said.
The couple continued their relationship even as the COVID-19 pandemic forced them into long distance, laying a strong foundation for a later chapter. As life returned to campus, Sam and Dani enjoyed their time together in Nashville by attending Vanderbilt sporting events, Greek life activities and Nashville staples鈥攍ike the honky tonks on Broadway.
Their love story is truly thanks to being in the right place at the right time, and of course, to mutual friends who brought them together as friends after that first glimpse in physics.
A new chapter as alumni
Dani completed her biomedical engineering studies and Sam his engineering science, graduating in the spring of 2022. Upon graduating, they were determined to continue their relationship despite pursuing their individual career journeys: Sam moved to San Francisco to take a role with Apple as an iOS engineer, and Dani went to Philadelphia to work with Merck in technical operations for live-virus vaccines.
Although distance was a challenge, Sam explained, 鈥淲e maintained frequent travel between each other and just prioritized communication, with the end goal of being together. And because we鈥檙e both from the East Coast and wanted to return, hoping to eventually make our way together.鈥�
Dani eventually moved to New York and grew within Merck, and Sam joined her to settle down in the Big Apple shortly before he proposed.
A campus surprise
Sam had known for a while that he wanted to marry Dani, but in May 2025, he started getting serious about the proposal. He discussed the engagement with his and Dani鈥檚 families鈥攖hinking through rings, who would be there, how, when, and where to pop the question.
鈥淲hen I heard about Vanderbilt opening a campus in New York, through my involvement as a San Francisco alumnus, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to have a full-circle moment,鈥� Sam said.
Leveraging the newness of Vanderbilt鈥檚 New York City presence to his advantage, Sam creatively orchestrated a faux alumni event at the Chelsea campus, giving an inconspicuous reason why he and Dani should check it out. He worked with Bianca Townsend, director of special events and venue management at Vanderbilt University鈥揘ew York City, on the details from d茅cor to her sending an official-looking email to Dani.
Dani was taken completely by surprise, and even more so when loved ones joined them for photos, a meal and a continuation of the celebration. To keep the surprise under the radar, Sam strategically guided the effort, encouraging the manipulation of Find My Friends locations and suggesting creative measures, such as leaving devices behind and setting fake locations.
鈥淗earing the lengths that Sam went to pull this off, with months of planning, and friends and family involved, I was so surprised and overwhelmed with love and gratitude for all that went into the day,鈥� Dani said.
Two cities, one story
From catching an eye in physics lab to friendship, distance and now engagement, Dani and Sam鈥檚 journey from Vanderbilt鈥檚 main campus in Nashville to their new home city of New York is an example of impact beyond education. It鈥檚 a place to grow personally, professionally and, sometimes, together.
Dani and Sam鈥檚 story celebrates not only their love, but also the spirit that Vanderbilt is so proud of, whatever cities and campuses are involved. As Dani and Sam step into their next chapter together, their historic engagement on Vanderbilt鈥檚 Chelsea campus stands as a beautiful reminder that the right place at the right time can change everything.
鈥淕etting engaged on Vanderbilt鈥檚 New York campus felt so full-circle, celebrating the place where our story began and the community that brought us together, and in our new city that we now call home,鈥� the couple said.
