[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Lowden.jpg” caption=”First-year commerce student Devon Lowden is the fourth generation of his family to attend McMaster. Photo by Christine MacLean.”]After attending McMaster for a number of years, many students begin to consider campus their second home. Some students even regard the McMaster community as part of their extended family. For first-year student Devon Lowden, coming to McMaster is a family tradition. He will be the fourth generation of his family to attend McMaster.

His great-grandfather kick-started the tradition in the 1930s, a trend that has seen more than 10 members of the Lowden family, originally from Hamilton, but now living in Burlington, attend McMaster from the 1930s to 2007

Devon's great-grandfather Harry was an educator in Hamilton and he passed down the value of higher education to his children. Devon's grandfather Tom attended McMaster along with three of his siblings. Tom's program of choice was geography, passing his interest to his son Doug, Devon's father. Doug studied geography and then returned to McMaster for his MBA.

In addition to academic endeavours, the family has forged a romantic tradition with McMaster.

Doug remembers his father telling him stories about trying to impress the ladies.

“Apparently, my father and his friend went into one of the largest classes on campus and planned to pick out the prettiest girls to marry,” says Doug. “My father picked my mother and the rest is history.”

Doug also met his wife Fiona while they were both enrolled in the MBA program.

While it remains a mystery whether Devon will find romance during his time at McMaster, he is excited to follow in his father's footsteps. He is enrolled in the commerce program.

Devon's parents did not push him to attend McMaster, and he sent applications to other universities.

“I didn't feel any pressure from my parents about where I had to go,” he says. “But my family is proof that McMaster is a good place to be. They have done alright for themselves.”

Devon grew up hearing about McMaster and attending sporting events with his father. He even participated in the McMaster Sports Camp one year, which fostered his familiarity with the campus.

On Welcome Day, Devon and his father toured the campus, and Doug pointed out the buildings he remembered, such as the Burke Science Building, now under renovations.

Of course, the campus has had many transformations since Devon's great-grandfather attended in the 1930s. Back then, campus consisted of the five original buildings: Wallingford Hall, Edwards Hall, University Hall and Hamilton Hall.

Now campus is busy with the construction of new buildings, including the Ronald V. Joyce Stadium and the recently completed David Braley Athletics Centre.

When Devon's grandfather used to play sports, there was no athletics facility. He played in the old Field Hall, and Doug remembers him explaining how a fine dust would rise from the floor by the end of a basketball or volleyball game.

Devon plans to make good use of the new athletics facility by playing recreational volleyball.

When asked about the other changes that have occurred since he was a student, Devon's father reflected on how preparation for university seems more complicated now than during his time.

Back when Doug went to university in the 1970s and 1980s, the shopping list for school supplies was a lot simpler — paper and pens were all that was required in addition to textbooks. Now, there are laptop computers to purchase, among the other new technologies that today's young adults crave.

“I would handwrite my assignments, and then the big ones you had to have typed,” says Doug. “I would pass my notes on to a very nice lady who would type them up for me.”

Part of the preparation includes deciding where to reside during the school year. Devon will be one of the first in his family to live in residence. He will be staying in Whidden Hall, and hopes that living in residence for the year will help make his transition into university life a little easier.

“I am usually a shy person, but the advice I have been given is that you have to force yourself to be outgoing,” explains Devon.

Now with all those family members having attended McMaster, you would think Devon would be bombarded with advice for his upcoming adventure.

“I am not receiving too many recommendations from my family,” he says. “I have just been told that I should have a good time, but to remember that I am here for an education above all else.”