[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/engagementring.jpg” caption=”Arkells, a rock band formed at the University while its members studied social sciences, helped alumnus Michael Pett propose to Nadia Petrella, who earned her degree in sociology from McMaster, during their Homecoming concert Friday night. Photo by Laura Pett.”]It was a Homecoming to remember for two soon-to-be-wed Marauders.

Michael Pett, who graduated from McMaster with a degree in history and economics in
2010, and Nadia Petrella, who earned her degree in sociology from the University in
2011, got engaged in the middle of the Arkells' concert in Burridge Gym Friday night.

“It started out as a crazy idea, and I didn't think it would even come together,” said Pett.
“But now it's a story we won't ever forget.”

Pett had contacted Arkells lead singer Max Kerman a week earlier in the hopes of
setting up the proposal. Pett explained how he had met Petrella as a Welcome Week rep
and that asking her to marry him at their alma mater in front of their friends would
mean a great deal to them both. Kerman gave him the green light to join the band on
stage at the Homecoming concert and, according to Pett, was almost as excited as he
was.

“I sent him a message and he really took care of the rest. The band was so good to us, I
can't thank them enough.”

After some last-minute planning the band added the song “Abigail” – Petrella's favourite
– to their set list. Pett was to take Petrella backstage during the preceding song and,
after Abigail's guitar solo, lead her to the front of the stage with Kerman.

“My mouth went absolutely dry while we were waiting,” said Pett. “I could hardly speak.”

What happened next brought screams from the crowd in the sold out gym.

“We'd like to call our friend Michael to the stage. We'd like to dedicate Abigail to you
guys,” Kerman said as he handed the microphone to Pett.

“Our story began here at Mac,” Pett said to Petrella. “We met as Maroons, we got to
know each other at Horizons [student leaders conference], we fell in love during
Welcome Week – so I knew I had to wait until we were back home to ask you this
question.”

And with that Pett got down on one knee and asked Petrella to marry him. She said yes.

“We both love Mac,” said Pett. “We wouldn't have met if it weren't for the University. It's
our home.”

Pett and Petrella aren't the only ones to come “home” to McMaster for the big question.
At least one proposal went down at the former student pub known as the Rathskeller,
and more than a few couples have gotten engaged under the stars at the University's
planetarium.

“We were very much shaped by McMaster,” said Pett. “We left the University as very
different people than we entered it as. We were educated there, but it's about so much
more than just what happens in the lecture hall.”

The couple hopes to have their engagement and wedding photos taken on campus.

Video by Andrew Johnston.