Undeniable Chemistry: Findlay Faithfuls Bill Mattise ’18 DPT ’20 and Alysa Martin ‘Pharm. D. ‘19

Alysa Martin remembers the exact day of the week she met her fiancé Bill Mattise. “Our love story began on the first Wednesday of the fall semester in 2015,” she says. “We met through a mutual friend who introduced me to her chemistry lab partner (Bill). Bill may have been my friend’s lab partner that semester, but there was absolutely no denying we had instant chemistry.” Despite the chemistry, months went by before the two crossed paths on campus during the next semester. “What is meant to be, will be,” said Alysa. Just like that, the two rekindled the spark that had started months prior.

Bill and Alysa often found themselves studying together in the Davis St. building, typically with a Vito’s pizza they purchased with their Bonus Bucks (Derrick Dollars). After building up the courage, Alysa asked Bill to be her date to the Sigma Kappa Sorority Spring Formal, and their official first date had been set. By their first summer break, the two were officially a couple.

Over the next few years, the two would create many memories as Oilers. “Some of our favorite campus events included Sigma Kapp mud volleyball, where we were back-to-back champs; OilerTHON; and homecoming events,” they said. “We also found a love of scuba diving through UF Divers, and we can’t wait to scuba on our honeymoon!” Time on campus came to an end for Bill, when he received his undergraduate degree in health science in 2018. Alysa followed suit the next year, graduating with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2019. Not to be outdone, Bill received a doctorate degree of his own in 2020, completing UF’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

The two moved to Rochester, NY after graduation, where Alysa is an infectious diseases clinical pharmacy specialist at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and Bill is a physical therapist with Lattimore Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation. During a trip to the Florida Keys in November 2021, Bill made the decision of a lifetime, asking Alysa to marry him. After saying “Yes,” Alysa said the next decision was an obvious one. “It was a no-brainer when it came to where we wanted to have our engagement photos done. We took it back to where it all started – University of Findlay!”

The couple is set to get married this May. Bill and Alysa say they still have their toy poodle named Nestlé, that lived with them in Findlay when they were students. After their wedding, the two hope to buy a home, and possibly add to their family. “Who knows – we might even have some little Oilers running around eventually,” they said.

Bill and Alysa say they love the fact that they get to call themselves “Findlay Faithfuls.” “It’s a big part of who we are and our entire story. We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for our time at UF and in the city of Findlay!”

As part of a series alongside Valentine’s Day, we’re featuring stories about UF couples, past and present, called “Findlay Faithfuls.” If you’re interested in sharing your story, we encourage you to share a picture using #FindlayFaithfuls and tag @oileralumni on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. We’d love to hear from you and re-share!