Member Spotlight: David Leuchter ’07 and Dulce Vasquez ’08

Posted on Thursday, July 13, 2017

“People always think we met in Evanston!” Dulce Vasquez ’08 says of how her relationship with husband David Leuchter ’07 began.

In fact, though both graduated from Northwestern, their paths didn’t cross until Dulce moved to Los Angeles in 2008 to work at Zócalo Public Square, a start-up nonprofit publication. David, who had moved back to his native Los Angeles after graduation, attended Dulce’s housewarming party at the invitation of her roommate, mutual friend, and eventual matron of honor, Meryl Cooper ’08. He and Dulce bonded over a shared passion for Northwestern football and he invited her to a watch party. After dating for several years, the two married in 2014.

“Northwestern is at the heart of our relationship,” says Dulce, “and it means the world to be married to another Wildcat.”

The couple live in Los Angeles—David works as a project manager for Kiewit Corporation, focusing on major public transportation projects, and Dulce is director of strategic partnerships for Arizona State University.

The two express their mutual love for Northwestern in many ways. David leads recruitment efforts for his company at Northwestern, connecting students to internship and work opportunities. Dulce serves on the Northwestern University Leadership Circle’s Los Angeles Regional Board and on the Los Angeles Regional Campaign Participation Committee for We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern. She also has served as an ambassador for #CATSGiveBack since the annual fundraising effort launched on Giving Tuesday in 2013.

Northwestern is at the heart of our relationship,” says Dulce, “and it means the world to be married to another Wildcat.”

Dulce and David are both gold-level members of NU Loyal and have made gifts to Northwestern every year since graduation.

Dulce, once a scholarship recipient herself, gives to Northwestern to sustain programs serving low-income students. David originally chose to attend the University because it provided “a top engineering program with the opportunity to grow outside of my coursework.” He found those opportunities—and a community—through a number of student-led theater programs, and today he continues to support the Dolphin Show, Arts Alliance, and similar groups.

In the decade since graduation, Dulce and David have established their own campus tradition: returning for Homecoming Weekend every fall, which gives them a chance to meet up with friends and enjoy the full tailgating experience. “A crisp 60 degrees, sun, yellow leaves—Evanston in October is magical,” says Dulce.