Megan (Jekel) and Jonathan Pardeck

Megan (Jekel), a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, and Jonathan Pardeck, a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity, met through the Interfraternity Council when they both served as representatives in 1998. Jonathan asked Megan out a few times but she wanted to remain as friends.

Megan (Jekel) and Jonathan Pardeck
Megan (Jekel) and Jonathan Pardeck

“He even offered to help me finish my Fortran programs, which were due Wednesday nights at midnight, so that I could go out with the group,” she says. “But I wanted to learn them on my own so I continued to turn him down.”

That changed just before finals in December 1998, when they went to lunch together and continued talking over the holiday break.

“We started dating the next semester and the rest is history,” she says. “We’ve been married for 18 years and have four kids.” 

Jonathan earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering in 2001, and Megan earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 2002. 

Today Jonathan is president and CEO of Systematic Consulting Group. Megan works as a business development manager focusing on renewable fuels and chemicals projects at Burns & McDonnell.

Their relationship advice?

“Work hard, but make time for fun,” she says. “Real life is tough, but you should enjoy it while you can and not wait for the perfect moment. With four active kids, two energetic dogs, and two full-time jobs, life is busy, but we always find ways to have fun with each other, our kids, and friends. Our time at Rolla instilled in us the meaning of hard work and taking the time to enjoy life.”

Share This Story

Spark a Memory?

Share your story! Fill out the form below to share your fondest memory or anecdote of S&T. If you'd prefer not typing, you can also share by phone at 833-646-3715 (833-Miner150).

AJ (Bedwell) and Patrick Prawitz

AJ (Bedwell) and Patrick Prawitz

AJ (Bedwell) and Patrick Prawitz met in spring 2004 as castmates of the musical, Annie Get Your Gun. “I was…

Endurance was her middle name

Endurance was her middle name

The first woman to earn a degree from S&T, Eva Endurance Hirdler Greene, class of 1911, received the general science…

Alyssa Purdy and Ryon Owings

Alyssa Purdy and Ryon Owings

Alyssa Purdy and Ryon Owings met during Opening Week in August 2014. Both lived in TJ Hall’s north tower –…

Cheryl B. Schrader on strategic planning

Cheryl B. Schrader on strategic planning

Cheryl B. Schrader, who served as chancellor between 2012 and 2017, describes her approach to strategic...

Abby (Pittroff) and Ryan Riess

Abby (Pittroff) and Ryan Riess

Student athletes Abby (Pittroff) and Ryan Riess met in August 2002 outside the campus’s Rayle Cafeteria. “I thought to myself,…

Rosalie (Larson) and Stan Hadley

Rosalie (Larson) and Stan Hadley

Rosalie (Larson) and Stan Hadley met one Friday in September 1977 in TJ Hall. Rosalie’s roommate was a lab partner…