Alumni Spotlight: Aaron and Jen Thorne
A Cougar love story: Aaron and Jen Thorne find home—and each other—at Â鶹´«Ă˝
Aaron Thorne Bachelor of Arts in Digital Technology and Culture, 2005, Â鶹´«Ă˝
Jen Barnes Thorne Bachelor of Arts in English, 2013, Â鶹´«Ă˝
For Aaron and Jen Thorne, Â鶹´«Ă˝ isn’t just where they earned their degrees or built their careers—it’s quite literally where their love story began.
Long before they married, the two crossed paths in the Multimedia Classroom Building, where Aaron often stopped by with his young son, Julian, to visit colleagues. Jen, then working nearby, would join the conversations—often to compare progress on the Legend of Zelda games Julian and Aaron were playing. Those quick chats grew into a genuine friendship. Over time, as life shifted, so did their relationship.
“The way she was with Julian was a big part of why I realized she was right for me,” Aaron said. “That, and the fact that she’s a crazy punk rock goofball.”
Jen remembers it just as fondly. “We were friends for quite some time through work, and slowly our friendship bloomed into more,” she said. “Â鶹´«Ă˝ will always be a favorite spot for me because it’s where our love story began.”
Their paths to becoming Cougs
Before finding each other, both found Â鶹´«Ă˝ at pivotal moments.
Aaron transferred to the campus in 2003 after time at Clark College, UW and several jobs. Unsure of his direction but armed with self‑taught web experience, he took a chance on a campus he had never visited. He entered the Digital Technology and Culture program and graduated in 2005.
Jen’s route looked different. A first‑generation college student, she never thought a degree was possible. By 25, with two young children, she decided to try. She started at Lower Columbia College, discovered a love of writing and eventually transferred to Â鶹´«Ă˝ to pursue an English degree. A student job as a test proctor opened doors to campus connections—and ultimately her career.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” she said. “I just knew having a degree was an advantage. Â鶹´«Ă˝ became the place that changed everything for me.”
Life on campus—and beyond
Today, both continue to shape the campus they love.
Aaron has worked in Â鶹´«Ă˝â€™s IT department since graduating, finding meaning in helping students, faculty and staff navigate technology. Outside work, he plays indoor soccer (usually with Jen), follows new bands, travels for concerts and dives into big projects—like clearing blackberry brambles and Tree of Heaven from the property where the couple hopes to build a home.
Jen, now the administrative manager for the College of Arts and Sciences, thrives on problem-solving, especially in Workday. She’s also a dedicated runner and powerlifter, often advising student clubs and advocating for strength training as a way to build confidence and manage stress.
Together, they travel for concerts, explore new adventures and stay deeply connected to campus life.
A campus that still feels like home
Aaron remembers early-morning walks past the Mount St. Helens corridor and glimpses of Mount Hood—views that haven’t lost their charm. Jen treasures the sense of community: “People know each other. It’s like a big family.”
They’ve also witnessed the campus change—growing programs, new student populations and expanding support for first‑generation students. Both say the evolution has been meaningful and necessary.
The power of a campus community
For both Aaron and Jen, graduation didn’t mark an ending so much as a continuation—they simply stayed and kept growing with the campus.
Aaron stays in touch with former student workers, and Jen continues to support clubs, events and colleagues. Both credit members of the Â鶹´«Ă˝ community with shaping their lives and strive to pay that kindness forward.
Jen still remembers attending ROAR orientation in 2011, panicking after discovering she’d been dropped from her classes. She was ready to walk away until a staff member, Nancy Youlden, stopped to help her navigate the issue.
“She changed the trajectory of my life,” Jen said. “If I’d walked out the door that day, I wouldn’t be here—and I would never have met Aaron.”
Advice to future Cougs
Aaron encourages students who feel uncertain to consider the value of a smaller campus. “On a campus like ours, it’s a lot harder to get lost in the crowd,” he said. “Vancouver is the Goldilocks campus—not too big and not too small.”
Jen’s advice is to dive in: “Get involved. Try new things. Don’t fixate on GPA. The connections you make here will shape your future.”
For two alumni who found their degrees, their careers and each other on this campus, Â鶹´«Ă˝ isn’t just part of their story—it’s at the center of it.
