The College of Information and Communications is known for building community far beyond the classroom, a quality that continues to set our alumni apart.
For Mary Kate Howland, that community came full circle on her wedding day.
“A friend in need is a friend indeed,” says Mary Kate, a 2023 Master of Mass Communications alumna.
When planning her Jan. 18, 2025, wedding to Matthew Howland, a 2022 Darla Moore School of Business alumnus, she knew she wanted to support a fellow Gamecock. Instead of searching far and wide for a photographer, she turned to her USC network.
It was a fitting choice for a couple whose love story began on campus.
A Capstone Beginning
Mary Kate and Matthew met in Journalism 101 and quickly discovered they lived on the same floor in Capstone Residence Hall. Thanks to the building’s tight-knit community, they shared a friend group and grew close.
At the time, Mary Kate was in a relationship, so Matthew had to be patient. That patience paid off. As their friendship deepened, they built a strong foundation that carried them through the rest of their college years and beyond.
On Dec. 23, 2023, what began as pre-dinner drinks in Greenville turned into a life-changing moment. After leaving Between the Trees, a hotel bar in Greenville, South Carolina, Matthew got down on one knee and proposed.
The University of South Carolina wasn’t just where they earned their degrees — it’s where they found each other.
A Gamecock Behind the Camera
When it came time to plan the wedding, Mary Kate’s advice for future brides was simple: “Don’t worry so much and don’t compare.”
One of the least stressful parts of the process was finding a photographer. Mary Kate reached out to Sam Beal, graduate student services manager, who connected her with Jules Celio, then a student in the Master of Mass Communications program.
Celio began her photography career in 2020, shooting graduation sessions at Penn State, where she completed her undergraduate degree. She photographed her first wedding in 2021 and had captured 25 weddings before the Howlands’ big day. While most of her previous work had been in New England, this wedding marked her first in South Carolina.
“Just from posting their wedding and sharing their gallery, I’ve booked a lot more weddings,” Celio says. “It’s been really rewarding to see how much the business has grown and how many amazing people I’ve gotten to work with.”
A Network That Lasts
For Celio, her time at USC played a key role in shaping her career.
“Being a USC alum has definitely helped me connect with so many creative and driven people,” she says. “The program pushed me to think strategically and tell stories in meaningful ways, which has been crucial in running my business.”
The CIC fosters a community where relationships — whether friendships, professional connections or lifelong partnerships — continue long after graduation.
For the Howlands, USC will always be more than their alma mater. It’s the place where their story began — and where their network helped bring their wedding day to life.