On May 11, 2020, Ferrum College alumna and Residence Life staff member Alli Colls Summers ’15 and Assistant Football Coach Luke Summers celebrated their one year anniversary as a married couple. Little did they know how unique their first married year together would be.
Over the course of a year, the Summers family continued renovations on their house, enjoyed a home overrun with adorable puppies from their two golden doodles Woody and Gracie, and embarked on a quarantined and socially distanced lifestyle thanks to COVID-19. In mid-April 2020, the couple learned they were expecting their next greatest adventure: a baby due around Christmas.
“It’s been quite a year and a half,” said Alli, who was also promoted to director of Ferrum’s Residence Life and Housing in June 2020. “We’ve been pretty busy! Luckily, most of it has been a lot of fun.”
Their healthy baby boy, Lincoln Keith Summers, arrived at 1:25 a.m. on Christmas Day 2020. He weighed 10 pounds, 5 ounces and was 21.5 inches long.
“Lincoln already knows what he does and doesn’t like and he’s going to let you know it,” Alli said. “He’s very snuggly and an incredible day sleeper! Shockingly, for a 10 pounder, he does not enjoy eating! He’s the sweetest baby. We’re so in love, but definitely exhausted!”
In 2019, Alli and Luke were featured as Ferrum College Sweethearts in this article.
Alumna Alli ’15 and Luke Summers met at Ferrum College in 2016 and married on May 11, 2019.
“He’s kind of the strong, silent type,” Alli Colls Summers ’15, teased her new husband Luke, who rewarded her with a half-smile. Alli, who describes herself as “a bit extra” is a vivacious, enthusiastic personality who rarely meets a stranger. Luke is more reserved and practical with an easy-going personality and a ready grin.
A Ferrum College alumna from Smith Mountain Lake who majored in democracy, justice, and civic engagement, Alli began her career at Ferrum College in April 2016 as an admissions counselor. She eventually moved to residence life in August 2017 and now works as the coordinator of residence education.
She met her Ferrum College sweetheart, Luke Summers, in May 2016. Luke, who is originally from Youngstown, OH, graduated from the University of Mount Union in 2009 and accepted his current position at Ferrum College in January 2016 as assistant coach and offensive coordinator for Panther Football. The pair met in May 2016 when they realized they were recruiting the same students.
Due to busy schedules filled with football practices, games, and other campus activities, it took a while to get the romance started. “Football took a lot of my time,” explained Luke. “We’d see each other maybe once a week on a Friday night.”
“It didn’t get exciting until he came out of his shell,” laughed Alli. She describes their relationship as pretty easy-going. “Our first date was low-key with ice cream and a movie at Luke’s place,” Allie said. “It was some horrible Steven Carell movie. We both said we’d never watch it again.”
Since 2016, their relationship bloomed through the addition of two golden doodles named Woody and Gracie, and a home renovation project for a retired professor’s house bought through campus email. “YouTube tutorials helped,” said Luke. “I learned how to scrape off popcorn ceiling that way.”
Alli and Luke married on May 11, 2019, coincidentally the same day as Ferrum College’s 103rd Commencement. “We already had the venue booked before we knew it was commencement!” Alli explained. The couple knew it was a good sign when the rain that loomed on their wedding day miraculously stopped long enough for their 5 p.m. outdoor ceremony. “I was standing in a puddle during our vows. I was like, ‘Okay, I see you, God!’” said Alli, laughing. A drizzle resumed for their indoor reception.
So what is life like now for the newlyweds? “We take our dogs for walks around campus,” said Alli. “They have dog playmates so we have to stop at specific houses for them to play with their friends.” They enjoy their newly renovated home together. And although they work in different departments at the College, they team up. “We’ve made connections with students through each other that we may not have otherwise made,” explained Alli.
Alli, who holds a master’s degree in law from Regent University, wants to eventually become a dean of students at a college or university and work in the legal aspect of higher education. Luke is pretty content with coaching football. The future looks bright for the Summers family.
Read about other Ferrum College Sweethearts Aaron Conover and Hillary Hardison here.
