W. P. Carey Cupids: A mutual interest in the German language led to love

Sometimes, students leave the W. P. Carey School with more than a top-rated education — they find a life partner, too. We call them W. P. Carey Cupids — couples who met at the W. P. Carey School of Business and are now making lives together.

Sometimes, students leave the W. P. Carey School with more than a top-rated education — they find a life partner, too.

We call them W. P. Carey Cupids — couples who met at the W. P. Carey of Business and are now making lives together.

That’s the case with Connor Baskin (BS Supply Chain Management ’16) and Raquel Thoesen (BS Business Tourism ’16). The couple met when a mutual friend introduced them through their common love of the German language. Now, Connor works on the W. P. Carey Career Management and Employer Engagement team, while Raquel works at a marketing agency, leading the SEO team.

W. P. Carey news asked Connor to tell us more about the special place ASU and W. P. Carey hold in their relationship.

Question: What’s something special about how you started your relationship at W. P. Carey?

Answer: Because we both spoke German, our mutual friend introduced us.

Fate was sealed when we (still just "friends") both applied to the U.S. Department of State Fulbright Program to teach English in Germany following graduation. We decided to chance fate and start dating shortly before the finalists were announced. Fortunately, we were both selected as finalists and continued our relationship in Germany.

We've been happily married since December 2019 and are raising a rescue dog named Sophie.

Q: Any advice for couples who met here and date during college?

A: Make sure you have something in common beyond W. P. Carey. Your time in college is, unfortunately, limited. Shared interests and passions are key.

Q: Favorite place to spend time on campus together?

A: We loved to spend time at the irreplaceable soul and pearl in the crown of W. P. Carey — the Dean’s Patio.

Q: What are you most looking forward to doing together in 2021?

A: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to cancel our honeymoon in Japan. We have our fingers crossed that we can take the trip by the end of the year but are more hopeful we’ll be able to take it in the next five years.

Q: Do you two ever visit campus together?

A: Yes, we did. Before the pandemic, Raquel would often visit me to enjoy a cup of Earl Grey on the Dean’s Patio.