Stories

Across schools and generations, the Brown family’s Santa Clara experience reflects a community built on connection, scholarship, and support.

By Kate Vander Vort ’27

For Emmy Brown ’29, Santa Clara University (SCU) feels like both a new beginning and a familiar home. A communication major in the College of Arts and Sciences, Emmy is following in the footsteps of her mother, Meghan Brown ’03, who graduated from SCU with a degree in classical studies. Together, their experiences reflect the enduring impact of Santa Clara and the way its values are passed down across generations.

SCU is truly a family experience for the Browns. Emmy shares campus life with her twin sister, Gigi Brown ’29, a management major in the Leavey School of Business, and her older sister, Addie Brown ’27, also studying management in Leavey. While each sister’s academic path is distinct, being together at SCU has created a unique support system. Whether they are sharing meals on campus, talking about their classes, or simply greeting each other in passing, their experiences highlight how Santa Clara brings families together across schools and disciplines.

Knowing her mom attended SCU before her gave Emmy a “welcoming and reassuring start” to college. Having someone so close who understands the university has made the transition smoother, offering comfort, advice, and perspective along the way. Being able to talk with her mom about academics, campus life, and the overall college experience has helped Santa Clara feel like home from the start.

When reflecting on her own time at Santa Clara, Meghan has noticed how much of the university’s culture has remained the same over the years. She recalls a campus where students were deeply committed to their academics while still making time to enjoy college life, a balance she sees reflected in today’s student experience through her daughters. Meghan also points to the enduring sense of community at SCU, sharing that she found “a group of friends for life,” something she is glad to see her daughters beginning to build during their time at Santa Clara.

That strong sense of community is something Emmy feels as well. Within the College of Arts and Sciences, she has found small class sizes, supportive faculty, and thoughtful conversations that foster connection both academically and personally. She believes Santa Clara is “a place where students feel welcome and supported, regardless of background or prior connections to the university, creating an environment that encourages collaboration and meaningful relationships.”

Looking ahead, Emmy hopes future generations in her family take away the same things that have defined both her experience and her mom’s: a strong sense of community, lifelong friendships, and a work ethic that stays with students long after graduation. For the Brown family, Santa Clara University is more than a place to earn a degree, it is a shared experience that continues to shape their lives across generations.

Families are invited to celebrate stories like theirs during Family Weekend, a time to reconnect, create new memories, and experience the Santa Clara community together. Registration for Family Weekend 2026 is now open.