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OCTOBER 28

Alex Haimann and his surprised fiancee, Sarah Krainen. Alex proposed
during his Washington University graduation speech.

Come On Down!

MAY 6—

Graduation speaker gives an audience
member the surprise of her life.

Shelli Liebman Dorfman

Contributing Writer

E

arlier this summer Alex
Haimann fulfilled two dreams
at the same place, within just
a few minutes of each other. On the
stage at the Athletic Complex Field
House at Washington University in St.
Louis, Alex acquired both a master's
of business administration diploma —
and a fiancee.
Class speaker at his May 18, Olin
Business School Graduate Diploma and
Awards Ceremony, Alex took a moment
to discuss the impact of being part
of the "Olin extended family," adding
suddenly that he was hoping to add to
it. While his speech was enlightening,
poignant and well-delivered, it was the
next act that, no doubt, stayed with
those in attendance.
Veering off the path of the original
focus of his talk, he looked straight
to the front row of the 1,000-member
audience and made a request that
caused gasps and uproarious applause.
"Sarah Krainen," he said unexpect-
edly. "You are the love of my life. I have
loved you ever since the day that I met
you, and I will love you forever. Will
you please, Sarah Krainen, marry me?"
Sarah's dad, who was just as stunned
as his daughter, escorted an awestruck
Sarah to the stage, where, on one knee,
Alex offered her a small box with an
engagement ring inside.
After she accepted his proposal, Alex
told the crowd, "Now that went well:'
adding, "I told you I'd make this memo-
rable'
In the audience were Sarah's parents,
Gordon and Cindy Krainen of West
Bloomfield, Alex's parents, Mark and
Amy Haimann of Bloomfield Hills,
three sets of aunts and uncles and
Alex's siblings, Adria, 21, and Cliff,
24, the only one privy to the plan in
advance. Sarah's sister, Carly, 18, joined
them that evening at a graduation par-
ty-turned-engagement celebration.
"I basically knew when we met that

I was going to marry Sarah," Alex said.
The couple had talked about getting
married after they each finished gradu-
ate school, which Sarah did the day
before Alex, receiving a master's degree
in social work from St. Louis University.
"Alex definitely likes surprises so I
expected a grand gesture when he pro-
posed:' Sarah said. "But I was extremely
surprised that day."
Sarah, 25, whose family are members
at Temple Shir Shalom, and Alex, 26,
whose family belongs to Temple Israel,
were introduced four years ago by
Alex's mom.
After her undergraduate graduation
from University of Michigan, Sarah
worked for Jewish Family Service
where she met Alex's mom who is chief
development officer. Alex was living in
Washington, D.C. at the time, working
for the Smithsonian after earning a
degree in political science from George
Washington University
"But my mom didn't include that
when she initially pitched the idea to
Sarah," Alex said. "For the first two
weeks, I painted the illusion that I was
in Detroit a lot more than I actually
was."
Alex has accepted a dual position
as associate director of the Center for
Experiential Learning and adjunct
professor of management at the Olin
Business School. But they will be back
in Michigan for their June 2013 wed-
ding.
The entire graduation ceremony was
recorded by the university, which was
good for Sarah who recalls hearing the
first part of Alex's speech, but not the
actual proposal.
"I remember being completely
shocked and everyone telling me to go
walk up to stage and my dad taking me
up there she said. "My parents say I
was trembling but I don't remember
that. I'm very glad we had the video, to
have it forever."

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August 16 e 2012

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