Trapping minks in Lake LaVerne isn’t a favorite activity of current students.

“My grandpa used to trap minks in Lake LaVerne,” said Aaron Anderson, freshman in community and regional planning.

Anderson is the third generation of his family to attend Iowa State. Twenty-one of his family members have attended.

“I chose to go to ISU because they had a good design school,” Anderson said. “It’s only 15 minutes away from home and I wanted to keep the tradition going.”

Aaron’s grandmother was a house mother at one of Iowa State’s fraternities in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His grandfather, Robert Stille, came from north central Iowa and attended Iowa State for two years.

Aaron’s mother, Laurie Anderson, graduated in 1983 with a degree in art education.

“I have been involved with ISU since I was a child,” Laurie said.

Growing up, Laurie attended ISU events with her parents, which led her to choose Iowa State.

Aaron’s father, Doug Anderson, graduated in 1983 with a double degree in electrical engineering and physics. Later, he returned for his graduate degree in electrical engineering, which he received in 1993.

“I chose ISU for their great engineering school and it was close and affordable,” Doug said. “The professors were extremely good — it is one of the best educations a person can get.”

Both Doug and Laurie participated in activities at Iowa State. Doug sang in choir and Laurie marched in varsity marching band and played in jazz band.

 The new addition to Parks Library was added when Doug was a student.

“Students now are very fortunate to have something this great accessible to them whenever they wish,” Doug said. “It was nothing like it is now back when I went to school.”

Doug still uses the Parks Library to do research.

“I think that the library now is phenomenal,” Laurie said.

Other new additions to campus have changed the landscape since the couple attended school. Doug said there used to be a small cafeteria where Union Drive Community Center is now.

Stephens Auditorium was being built when the couple attended.

“That was very exciting for us to see that amazing building getting built,” Laurie said.

There are still other family members who have attended Iowa State. Aaron’s sister, Brittany, graduated last spring semester, with a degree in biology.

“All my family members who have attended ISU have loved their experience,” Aaron said, “which was another reason I chose to come here.”

Laurie’s two sisters are also ISU alumnae and three out of four of Doug’s siblings are alumni too.

“If I could stay young and keep going to Iowa State, I would,” Doug said.

Doug lived in Friley Hall for three years.

“It is surprisingly very similar now to what it looked like back then,” Doug said. Laurie lived in West Gate, which has since been torn down. After they got married, they moved to couples housing.

“Back then, they only had co-ed dorms by floors — there weren’t guys and girls on the same floor,” Laurie said.

Doug and Laurie appreciate how Iowa State has maintained its campus.

“I think that one of the biggest changes that has happened to ISU since I was a student is all the new buildings and architecture,” Laurie said. “I love how they have made a lot of improvements throughout campus but kept Central Campus the same open space. It’s gorgeous.”

After Laurie and Doug graduated they moved to California and then decided to move back.

“Doug got offered a job in Ames,” Laurie said. “So we came straight back, without even thinking about it.”

Laurie and Doug currently live in Nevada and enjoy being close to Ames because they can see their children and come back to campus for events, such as football games, concerts and Veishea events.

“I went to Veishea when I was young — when I attended ISU — and I still go now. I loved it and will always love it,” Laurie said, “I was actually in the Veishea parade with my mother when I was a young girl.”