Saint Louis University: The Next Generation

Saint Louis University freshman Laura Broun certainly is following in big footsteps. Her parents, three grandparents as well as eight aunts and uncles graduated from SLU with degrees ranging from law to medicine.

Broun is one of 293 first-year students related to SLU alumni — twice as many as last year. This next generation of University students and their families were honored during the annual Legacy Luncheon last week.

Multiple generations of the Broun family have attended SLU. Photo by Kevin Lowder

Several of Broun’s family members served on the University’s faculty, including her paternal great grandfather, G.O. Broun, Sr. M.D. Dr. Broun earned his medical degree in 1922 and went on to spend nearly 60 years as a professor of medicine and once served as dean of the School of Medicine.

Laura Broun, a business major from Cincinnati, did look at other schools before making her decision. When asked if she felt any pressure to choose SLU, she said no. That’s when laughter erupted around her family’s table.

“Maybe a little pressure,” Broun admitted.

Kathleen Hilton, a second-generation SLU student, hopes to become a pediatric nurse one day. Her father Tom, a 1984 business alumnus, said he values SLU’s sense of community and is thrilled with her choice.

“It’s home for us and everyone needs that place to call home,” he said. SLU President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., welcomed the group during the recent special event. While SLU’s campus may have changed over the years, he said the University’s Jesuit mission remains the same.

“That foundation enables all our students to develop as socially responsible people capable of exercising energy and advancing the common good,” Biondi said. “Thank you for trusting your sons and daughters to Saint Louis University.”

Stephen Petersen, Ed.D., associate vice president for alumni relations, said he felt honored alumni had encouraged their children, grandchildren and siblings to attend their alma mater. “Now these new SLU students have joined a much larger family, one that includes more than 105,000 living alumni,” Peterson said.

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