When it comes to campus meet-cutes, it doesn’t get any more romantic than the story of how alumna Elaine Hulse met her husband Rod in the registration queue. This was back in 1973, and they have been together ever since. Elaine tells us all about it.

How did you meet? 

We met in 1973 when my flatmate fainted in the registration queue and he helped her. Our relationship grew at the Tuesday night discos. I studied Modern Languages and he studied Civil Engineering. Our relationship survived my year abroad in Spain and Russia and his sandwich course. We also survived him going to Aberdeen to work and me going to London after we graduated.           

Tell us about your life together after uni. 

I finally joined Rod in Scotland and we married in 1978. We celebrate our 47th wedding anniversary this year. We now live in Sussex where Rod was head of engineering at Gatwick Airport before he retired. I ran my own event management company after being event director for Europe’s largest oil and gas exhibition, Offshore Europe. We have one daughter who also studied in the North West at Chester University.    

What is your advice for those looking for romance on campus? 

There are plenty of opportunities if you are open and friendly—and if you have low blood sugar and feel faint!

Thank you to Elaine and Rod for sharing your story of lifelong love!

‘How We Met’ celebrates the lifelong connections you made at Salford—whether that’s friendships, romance, or mentors who made a real difference.

Are you a student? Learn how to make connections and friends at uni on our Made in Salford blog.

Are you alumni? Share your story by getting in touch at alumni@salford.ac.uk.

A photo of Rod and Elaine during their studies at University in 1973
THEN: Rod and Elaine at the beginning of their relationship in 1973
Elaine and Rod recently enjoying their retirement
NOW: Rod and Elaine enjoying their retirement