A chance encounter on the back row of Newton Building’s B2 lecture theatre sparked a love story that took Catherine and Jon Rushton across the Atlantic, where they now live as US citizens. Catherine shared their story with us.

Tell us about how you met.

We met during our second year of our Mechanical Engineering studies – on the back row of the B2 lecture theatre in the Newton Building. I was taking an integrated course and had just returned from a stint working in industry. Jon had joined the second year of the three-year degree course after completing a Higher National Diploma elsewhere. We ended up sitting next to each other and got chatting. We moved in the same circle for the next two years, then started dating after running into each other in the Conti Club – who remembers that dreadful place!

Tell us about your life together after uni.

We married in 1989 and lived in Bristol, where Jon was working for HP and I worked for a couple of different companies. Then HP asked Jon to move to the States for a year to work on a project. I quit my job and went with him to Boise, Idaho, where I attended Boise State University and got my MBA. After a year, HP wanted to keep Jon, and as we were enjoying life in Idaho, we stayed. I got a job working for a potato company, and we settled here. A few years ago, we became US citizens and are now happily retired and enjoying life, whether it’s travelling, taking part in sports or volunteering.

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

Make lots of friends – you never know where that might lead you! 

Thank you to Catherine for sharing your love story with Jon!

‘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 via our online form.

Cathy and Jon now
Cathy and Jon then