A `Runner romance

Alumni Dean Cupp and Katelyn Hallmark find love on campus

By California State University, Bakersfield

February 14^th, 2023

Dean Cupp and Katelyn Hallmark know the romance that sparked between them at California State University, Bakersfield was one of those things that are simply meant to be.

Dean remembered who Katelyn was right away when he saw her in his communications class on a hot autumn day in 2016. Brilliant brown hair, striking hazel-green eyes and a smile as warm as sunlight. She had always stood out to him as different than other girls he’d met.

The two had met before, briefly, when Katelyn and his twin sister Morgan were both on the cheer squad with Golden Empire Youth Football. They went to separate high schools — Dean and Morgan attended Stockdale High School and Katelyn attended Independence High School.

Seven years had gone by since that first meeting. Dean didn’t think she would remember him but decided to give it a chance by saying hello. As it turned out, Katelyn remembered Dean. However, she was dating someone at the time, and Dean was single and not looking for a relationship. The two settled into friendship and didn’t think of much more.

Towards the end of the semester, a newly-single Katelyn baked a fresh batch of brownies one evening and invited Dean to come over and try them. She knew that the key to this man’s heart would be through his stomach. That invitation unfolded into daily conversations, laughing over memes and the texting of countless Bitmojis.

When Dean and his sister Morgan left for Arizona that summer to work with family, he and Katelyn exchanged messages daily and Skyped often. Dean and Morgan returned after a long summer away, and Katelyn arranged to pick the twins up at the airport to bring them home.

Dean realized he should have seized the opportunity to win Katelyn’s affections in that moment. The two communicated daily, made each other laugh, and enjoyed conversations with one another. Those were the ingredients of a spark. Katelyn felt it, and she hoped Dean had too.

But Dean admitted, “I’m terrible at reading signs.” After getting dropped off at home, he gave Katelyn a quick thanks, hopped in his car and left to get lunch alone — something Katelyn still gives him a hard time over.

Dean had a chance at redemption when it was his turn to pick up his sister Morgan from Katelyn’s house one evening.

Dean can still recall his trepidation when he arrived.

“I was super nervous,” he said, confessing that situations like those easily threw him. He knew he liked Katelyn, and he hoped that she returned his affections.

His twin helped the pair when she left them to collect her things for the ride home. The moment alone gave Dean and Katelyn the chance to share their feelings and their first kiss.

The two began to go on dates and spend more time together. Dean planned to make Katelyn his girlfriend on New Year’s Eve by demonstrating his grilling techniques, but there was no propane to power his grill. He grilled on the stove instead, and it was a culinary disaster. The burgers he attempted weren’t good, but he still managed to win Katelyn over as she agreed to be his girlfriend.

They’ve been together ever since.

A campus of memories

Dean worked all four years of his undergraduate career at CSUB’s Student Recreation Center in various positions including fit floor monitor, member services assistant, student manager on duty and small group trainer. Katelyn was a member of the Spirit Squad (cheer team) for all four years of her undergraduate career.

Katelyn adored her time at CSUB, noting that she made many lifelong friends and created countless outstanding memories. Some of Dean’s favorite memories included connecting with peers in class and going to home basketball games to watch Katelyn cheer.

Meeting again at CSUB was special for Dean and Katelyn because they were able to help each other through all the fun and tough times of college. They helped each other study for exams and finals and they cheered each other on when they crossed the stage during commencement.

Dean graduated with his bachelor's in kinesiology in fall of 2019. Katelyn graduated in 2020 with a bachelor's in liberal studies and then earned her multiple subject teaching credential in 2021. She’s now back at CSUB to earn her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction.

Dean is now the athletic equipment manager at Stockdale High School, and Katelyn is a first grade teacher for the Bakersfield City School District.

'Our love is homegrown'

This year, the couple celebrates six years together.

“My favorite thing about Katelyn is how she can turn any bad situation into a positive learning experience,” Dean said.

He admitted that he’s the type of person to beat himself up over everything. Katelyn grounds him, reminding him he’s human and that mistakes are a natural part of life.

Katelyn said her favorite thing about Dean is his ability to bring her back to reality. She is also one to overthink and stress over everything. Dean reminds her to calm down and breathe.

Dean’s laidback and humorous nature is a perfect balance to Katelyn’s more structured, serious one. Their differing traits is what make them a strong couple.

“It sounds corny, but our love is homegrown. I had countless opportunities to leave Bakersfield, including family. We both were supposed to go to college outside of Bakersfield and forces outside our control didn’t allow it,” Dean said. “I truly believe we were destined to be together. I never wanted to leave because I didn’t want to chance anything with our relationship. I knew very early that Katelyn was the girl I would spend the rest of my life with.”

Dean and Katelyn are currently saving up to buy their first house together and have aspirations of becoming engaged and starting their own family in the near future.