The Wedding Party

As we celebrate our marriage, we're also joining two families and two partially distinct groups of friends. We've gathered a select portion of our friends and family to join us in the wedding party, and we'd like to introduce everyone to those serving as our attendants.

While of course the wedding party is not an exhaustive list of those friends and family we cherish (or else all of our wedding guests would be attendants), we hope that by introducing these few friends and family members you will understand the significance of their appointments and will enjoy the weekend that much more.

Lindsay Anne Dowell

Bride

Born in Shawnee, Kansas, to Jan Marie Dowell and the late Gregory Thomas Dowell, Lindsay graduated from Bishop Miege High School in 2002.

Lindsay attended Kansas State University from 2002 until 2007, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in History. She plans to attend graduate school studying Museum Education, hoping to some day design and coordinate museum attractions that encourage people to appreciate American history.

Curtis Travis Bradshaw

Groom

Born in El Dorado, Kansas, to Richard Curtis Bradshaw and Christi Ann Landrum, Travis graduated from El Dorado High School in 1999 and Butler County Community College in 2001 with an Associate of Science in Computer Science.

Travis has attended Kansas State University since 2002 and is finishing his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a minor in Economics. Travis works for StrongMail Systems as a Software Engineer and plans to continue working in software engineering.

Rebecca Harpole

Matron of Honor

"Rebecca and I met on the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority's Bid Day and were instant friends. Her maternal instincts earned her the title of "super buddy," keeping an ever-vigilant eye over our circle of friends. Throughout our friendship, she has provided encouragement and support, especially when I needed her most. I am fortunate to have found a friend like Rebecca, and I am looking forward to having her stand by me on my wedding day."

Rebecca graduated from Kansas State in 2006 with degrees in Mass Communications and Marketing and is currently working toward her MBA at the University of Kansas. Rebecca and her husband, Jared, live in Overland Park, Kansas

Dave Plumb

Best Man

"One of my original roommates in The Bunker, Dave and I routinely challenged the limits of the term 'collegiate paradise.' A jack-of-all-trades, friendly spirit, and brilliant conversationalist, Dave was an essential asset to every project and every accomplishment during my 'college years.' With Dave at my back, absolutely anything is possible. I couldn't imagine anyone else as my best man."

Dave earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kansas State in 2006 and has continued on to become a logistics manager and camp director at Philmont, and most recently a ski instructor.

Erin Collins

Bridesmaid

"Erin is one of those people you could spend hours talking to about everything and anything. Having lived with her for three and half years, I have had plenty of those times, often with a cramp in my stomach from laughing so much. Even though we don't get to see each other as often since she moved away, I know we could still spend hours talking and laughing. Always ready with a smile, Erin has been there to lend an ear whenever I've needed her."

Erin graduated from Kansas State with degrees in Apparel Marketing and Business. She is currently living with her husband, Brett, in Prairie Village, Kansas, and working at Gear for Sports.

Elgn Davidson

Groomsman

"Elgn and I have been good friends since the sixth grade. We've grown up together, relying on each other as we grew up and as we've started to grow old. Elgn's adventuresome nature, charm, and relentless honesty continue to remind me why I'll count Elgn among my closest friends for all of my life."

Elgn graduated from El Dorado High with Travis in 1999. He served as a paramedic for Butler County before moving to Boulder, Colorado to work as a malicious software analyst. He's married to Jessica and currently works as a quality assurance analyst for Fidelity. Elgn and Travis serve on the executive board for the QuakeCon organization.

Becca Dowell

Bridesmaid

"Becca is more like a little sister than a cousin. We have been close our entire lives, and I always look forward to seeing her whether it is at a family function or an unexpected visit on an evening out. Becca is funny, charming, and genuine. What you see is what you get. After spending time with Becca, I always end up in a better mood than when I started."

Becca is currently working toward a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and living in Manhattan, Kansas.

J.D. Hillen

Groomsman

"J.D. and I have been roommates since even before The Bunker; we shared a sparsely populated apartment on Claflin. J.D. has served as the cornerstone of the friendships I cherish most. He's strongly opinionated, sometimes predictable and always hilarious. We share a special bond, in college life and after, that I would describe as: 'We're in this together'."

J.D. graduated from Kansas State with a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Art. He married his high school and college sweetheart, Kari Strelchek, and lives in Gardner, Kansas. He currently works as a digital artist, specializing in Adobe Flash.

Renee Dowell

Bridesmaid

"When I first met Renee, she was just the girl who lived across the hall from my brother (although I suspected more), and I was just Rusty's little sister. I am glad to say that my suspicions were correct, and I have gotten the opportunity to get to know Renee better since she married my brother. Renee is a funny, smart, beautiful person, and I am so happy that she is a part of our family."

Renee graduated from Kansas State in 2003 with a degree in Marketing. She is currently working at Equity Bank. She and Rusty live in Lenexa, Kansas.

Jesse Printz

Groomsman

"I can't imagine anyone with more compatible personalities than Jesse and me. We spend more time together each day at our desks than I would have thought possible, and every single day is interesting and fun. We learn together, laugh together and rock out together. What Dave and I accomplished with a bar, Jesse and I accomplish with software. While I look forward to leaving the college life behind to live with my wife, Jesse Printz is what I will miss most about living with peers."

Jesse is completing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Kansas State. A savvy software engineer and brilliant Python developer, Jesse serves on network operations staff with Travis at QuakeCon and is currently providing contract work for id Software on Quake Live.

Makenzi Smith

Bridesmaid

"Spending my Sunday nights with Makenzi is one of the things I miss most about college life. Lounging around doing absolutely nothing is what we did best. Makenzi has a fun, upbeat personality. One of the most important life lessons she taught me was that when going out with friends comfort comes first, so wearing tennis shoes is completely acceptable. She also taught me how pull off an A paper after procrastinating for weeks."

Makenzi graduated from Kansas State University in 2006 with a degree in Psychology. She is currently living in Overland Park, Kansas, with her husband of one year, Ryan.

Chase Thayer

Groomsman

"Chase is the professional artist. He's jovial, free-spirited, and, above all, passionate. I'm continuously amazed at his art, be it performance, production, or even just running scales to test his gear. I've never met anyone so predestined for greatness."

Chase is an accomplished guitarist, producer, and audio technician. He's completing a degree at Johnson County Community College in interactive media. He has worked in audio production, musical theory, instrumental performance, film, film production, and more.

Lynn Rundquist

Bridesmaid

"Lynn and I met when I started working at Computing and Information Sciences at KSU. Besides the obvious things we have in common such as both being engaged to a man named Travis, both having mothers named Jan, and having similar names, my friendship with Lynn is effortless. Lynn and I share a similar taste in a wide range of things including movies, food, and even our wardrobe. Lynn is my sanity amongst a life full of males. She is willing to listen to my vents and is more than capable of making me laugh."

Lynn graduated from Kansas State in 2008 with degrees in Social Work and Family Studies and Human Services and is currently working at TFI as a social worker. Lynn will marry "her" Travis on May 9, 2009.

Aaron Tygart

Groomsman

"Drawn together by a common passion for technology, I've had the honor of sharing with 'Kuffs' some of his most formative years. Together we've explored software engineering, the bar scene, fashion (although certainly not 'high fashion'), politics, and friendship. He's a melting pot of opposites. Liberal attitudes from ultra-conservative western Kansas, definitively punk/metal appearance with a sophisticated, sometimes even silly demeanor. We're brothers on the quest for Right (with a capital 'R')."

Aaron is completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at Kansas State. He works as a full-time Systems Administrator for the Enterprise Server Technologies group at Kansas State and serves on the network operations staff with Travis for QuakeCon.

Rusty Dowell

Bride's Escort

"My relationship with my brother has changed quite a bit over our lifetime, but we have always had each other's best interest at heart. Although his watchful eye can be frustrating at times, it is appreciated nonetheless. When our dad passed away, Rusty stepped into a very important role in our family, and I am fortunate to have my brother be my escort down the aisle on my wedding day."

Rusty graduated from Kansas State in 2003 with a degree in Business. He is currently working for Kansas City Southern Railroad. He and his wife, Renee, are living in Lenexa, Kansas.

Stephen Dowell

Usher

"One of the many joys of joining lives with Lindsay has becoming a part of her family. Stephen and I immediately hit it off when his good spirited, competitive nature put us head-to-head in some of my favorite video games (the kind with plastic guitars). With his calm and collected, honest, and friendly demeanor, I hope that we can remain friends for many years."

Stephen graduates from Shawnee Mission West in May of 2009 and has been accepted to University of Kansas.

Kari Hillen

Reader

"My friendship with Kari developed when Travis and I began dating. Kari was the girlfriend (now wife) of Travis's roommate, J.D., which meant that we spent quite a bit of time together. During that time, I learned that Kari is a kind, patient person who is never quick to judge. I always enjoy spending time with Kari as she is an important person in Travis' and my life."

Kari graduated from Kansas State with degrees in Spanish and Secondary Education. She is currently teaching Spanish at Blue Valley Northwest and living in Gardner, Kansas, with her husband J.D.

Nate Hubert

Usher

"Nate is the perfect fusion of raw talent and an open mind. As dynamic as weather, Nate demonstrates his aptitude not only with the passion of his percussion performances, but equally with his appreciation of good food and drink, his commune with thought and spirit, and his heartfelt laughter. I've seen no greater proof that sophistication is not only to be found in ivory towers; anyone who spends time with Nate comes away a better person."

Nate is an accomplished percussionist, continually honing his art with new sounds created by expanding his repertoire of both instruments and perception. He is joined by his fiancée, Ashley, a talented potter.

Travis Mehlinger

Usher

"Travis and I have been long-time acquaintances through our shared curriculum, but more recently became great friends through mutual employment and an insatiable appetite for Rock Band. His hilariously hyperbolic rants and jovial spirit keep me smiling. Another kindred geek who, like me, always wants to do things the Right way, he's an asset on every project team as well as a great friend."

Travis graduated from Kansas State with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in 2007. He works as a Systems Administrator for the Enterprise Server Technologies group at Kansas State and serves on the network operations team at QuakeCon. He's marrying Lynn Rundquist in May, 2009.

Alex Thomson

Usher

"Alex was one of my original Bunker roommates and has grown to be a great friend. Probably most easily characterized by his rich love of absurd comedy and awkwardness, there is no uncomfortable situation that escapes Alex uncherished. Those who make it through that quizzical take on life are rewarded with a friend who is compassionate, humble, honest, and kind. Almost as a surprise, I realized one day that I had acquired a friend of the highest quality."

Alex graduated from Kansas State with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, served as a Riley County volunteer firefighter, and currently works as an Emergency Medical Technician in Dickinson County. He and his wife, Ashleigh, are soon expecting their first child.