Attending the same university as your parents can make “home away from home” take on a new meaning. This is the case for Genevieve Stember, who attends Iowa State not only with her mother and father, but her husband, too.

Genevieve and her father, Bob Johnson, both study English. Genevieve’s husband, David Stember, and her mother, Pamela Johnson, both study anthropology.

The four often run into each other on campus, and sometimes plan to meet for lunch at the food court in the Memorial Union.

“Seeing one another provides reinforcement and encouragement,” Bob said. “It is nice to be able to reflect on one another and satisfying to see them succeed on a personal level.”

Genevieve and David met at a SALT Company meeting several years ago. The married couple now tries to make time to study together.

“We try to do homework together,” David said.

“We usually end up studying in the same room, but not together,” Genevieve said.

Genevieve, junior in English and employee at the Study Abroad Center, graduated from high school in 1996. Soon after, she moved in with her older sister in Kansas City.

Bob and Genevieve both enrolled in the English department in the fall of 1999. Bob, who formerly taught English to professionals coming to the United States, was a teaching assistant until this semester.

After teaching in Bulgaria for a semester, Bob and Pamela decided to call Iowa home.

“I chose Iowa State because it has a good English department,” Bob said. “It was the only school that I applied to.”

Two years after Bob enrolled at Iowa State, Pamela decided to begin studying at the university as well. Pamela, sophomore in anthropology, began her first semester at Iowa State in the spring of 2002. She admits there was an adjustment from her previous college experiences at Eastern Oregon University.

“Iowa State is such a huge campus going from 3,000 students to 25,000,” Pamela said.

With her anthropology degree Pamela hopes to be able to return to a job overseas with Bob, possibly documenting folk crafts such as women’s stitchery.

“I’m proud of them being here,” Genevieve said. “Dad and I have taken a couple of classes together. It’s fun to try and compete with him.”

Genevieve said having her family on the same campus helps to provide support, but has also helped develop their friendships.

“I remember one time Dad and I went to People’s [Bar and Grill] together,” Genevieve said. “It was late at night in the middle of the week.”

David said he enjoys being so close to his wife and in-laws.

“I have three new family members,” David said. “It has all been a blessing.”

Pamela agreed that the experience has been enriching.

“It is cool to be able to add David to the equation,” Pamela said. “Genevieve and David are truly our friends and kids.”

All four individuals have strong aspirations to someday work abroad, but for now the family will continue to call Iowa State home.

“There are no negatives about having my family here,” Pamela said. “I love them every time I see them.”