A Lock Haven legacy: 5th generation student graduates from CU-Lock Haven

Many parents who love their alma mater hope that their children may follow in their footsteps and attend the same college or university that they graduated from. Such is the case for spring 2025 Commonwealth University-Lock Haven graduate, Jacob Watson, of Mill Hall, who has now become the fifth generation of his family to hold a degree from the university. 

Jacob graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry. He was joined at the Saturday afternoon ceremony by several family members including his father, James Allen Watson ’91 and his grandmother, Sandra L. Brown ’61.

The family has had members attend the university under each of its names: Central State Normal School, State Teachers College in Lock Haven, Lock Haven State College, Lock Haven University, and Commonwealth University-Lock Haven.

Jacob originally committed to the University of Pittsburgh in their competitive six-year pharmacy program, but said he felt uneasy about the decision. “It would’ve been a huge adjustment from living in the countryside to living in a big city as well as the career path I chose,” he said. “I didn’t feel being a pharmacist was exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a researcher making new medicines.”

After deciding not to attend Pitt, he went in search of the right school for him. “The day before the deadline to submit my deposit to enroll at Lock Haven, I got a follow request on Instagram under a profile called “run4lhu,” which was run by coach Aaron Russell from the LH track and field team. That was what ultimately made me decide to attend Lock Haven,” Jacob said.

During his time at CU-Lock Haven, Jacob was an active member of the Bald Eagle varsity track and field team, a member of the Chemistry Club, and a recipient of the Al Hoberman Scholarship.

Jacob’s fondest memories at Lock Haven included spring break trips to Myrtle Beach with the varsity track and field team and attending home athletic events – socializing with friends, and watching fellow Bald Eagles compete. “My best memory was senior day at the Lock Haven qualifier this year,” he said. “Everyone was cheering for me when I ran my very last race in my collegiate career, the 4x400 meter relay where I was anchor.”

Jacob said he feels honored to be a part of such a long family legacy at Lock Haven and his family echos that pride. 

“It’s amazing to be part of such a legacy, to think of so many of my beloved relatives walking the same grounds as I did,” James said. “I’m so glad that my son decided to go to Lock Haven. I knew he would love it and absolutely thrive there. He’s accomplished so much more than I ever did, and I am so very proud of him.”

“Lock Haven was my one and only choice for college,” said Kelly (Watson) Hastings ’83, Watson's aunt. “I’m so proud of our family legacy and the emphasis on education for generations. I loved my time at Lock Haven State College.”

Jacob’s grandmother lived in Russell Hall during her time at Lock Haven. She remembers having a dorm mother and having to dress to go to dinner. “Lots of close friendships were made. It was a wonderful time,” Brown said.

Jacob praises CU-Lock Haven for preparing him for his career as a researcher. “I was able to take a lot of challenging courses throughout my time which has allowed me to demonstrate my positive work ethic in lectures and the lab,” he said. “My Lock Haven education has allowed me to get a glimpse of my full potential.”

Jacob also had the opportunity to take part in biochemistry research with Dr. Kyle Root during his junior year at The Haven, which is when he knew research was his passion. He also was accepted to a competitive REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill during the summer of 2024, in which he took part in organic chemistry research.

“After all the research I did during that summer, I was set on pursuing graduate school with an intent on a Ph.D. in chemistry,” he said.

Jacob plans to attend graduate school at the University of Georgia in pursuit of a doctorate degree in chemistry with an emphasis in organic/medicinal chemistry.