“My first acceptance letter came back from Michigan Tech. I got my paperwork done. They gave me a scholarship. Everything worked out really well. Turns out the acceptance letters from the other schools got lost in the mail. Divine intervention? Maybe… what I do know is that I really like the way things turned out – the experiences I’ve had, the people I’ve met – it’s been an entirely enriching experience.”

Tony Lowe is in many ways a typical Michigan Tech student. He is a fifth year majoring in Civil Engineering. He goes to classes, likes hanging out with friends and is very active on campus. Tony’s biggest fan, his mother Jenetta Lowe, is thrilled about his graduation from Tech. “He will be my mom’s first grandchild to graduate from university. All the neighbors are rallying around him – it gives them joy to know one of their own who they saw grow up – is now graduating from college.”

Tony’s slight inflection of speech marks him as a native of the Bahamas. Despite being thousands of miles away and in a radically different climate (both social and meteorological) he maintains a strong tie to his native country. He was, however, excited to live in the United States to experience a dramatic change. The winter in particular put Tony a little out of his element. He recalled his first snowfall at Tech saying, “All of my friends ran to find me to tell me it was snowing. I ran outside wearing just a singlet and shorts and danced in the snow – then ran back inside before I froze! I had no idea how beautiful snow could be in person… or how cold it would feel.”

Tony wants to take what Michigan Tech and the United States has offered him to enrich his Bahamian roots. “The plan is to gain some expertise working in the U.S. under some larger companies, then bring my experience back to the Bahamas to make a difference there.”

And his family is fully behind his future plans. “We are praying that he gets a job in the U.S. once he graduates – that is what he wants to do, and we hope the same for him as well,” said his mother. “I think the international experience will have a positive impact on Tony’s future because he will be better able to adapt and adjust to global situations and not just things that happen locally.”

When asked to offer some words to describe Tony, friends have listed “memorable, passionate, caring, diverse, involved, lazy, talented [and] stubborn.” Close friend Tim Hammond has known Tony for several years. “What makes Tony stand out may not be in fact that which you first think. That is to say, the actual foundation as to why Tony Lowe stands out is that he is in constant reflection of himself.”

But to find out what drives someone it is not enough to observe their exterior and scrutinize their behavior. Mere adjectives cannot complete a portrait of someone. Tony Lowe, like any human being, is not his major or activities. He is not his friends or peers. These are merely pieces of his life that make up the mosaic of a complete picture.

“I first met Tony as I was walking to the Walker Humanities building,” reflected Tim. “We came upon the subject of performing; he mentioned that I should check out his choir. Later on he would tell me that he just got a sense of my personality that clicked with the conversation; performing was a love of mine. I was a first-year student. I never did check out that choir of his.”

Music is indeed a critical part of Tony’s life. He has been singing and performing for years. “I don’t think I’m ever going to stop singing. It’s such a big part of who I am. It puts a smile on my face, and in turn puts a smile on the face of others – and I love that!” Although he has performed for enjoyment and professionally, Tony has musical dreams for his future. “I hope to someday become a recording artist, maybe go pro with my singing, but there’s so little certainty.” Regardless of the amount of fame he attains in the future, Tony Lowe continues to wow audiences with his seemingly flawless voice and zealous performances.

Good friend Emily Kelly has always been impressed by Tony’s musical gifts. “Sometimes we play music together, but not as much as we should. Someday when we’re both famous and don’t have to worry about school anymore, we’ll just rock out all the time.” Along with this ideal picture she joked, “But he’ll always be more famous than me. I’ll always be jealous, so I’ll always be trying to sabotage his record deals!”

“I think Tony started singing in junior high,” reflected Jenetta Lowe. “He had numerous singing engagements in high school (including his graduation) – the theater, my mom’s and sister’s wedding.”

Many students may have seen Tony, or TLo, at various concerts, coffee houses, karaoke nights and competitions. But to Tony, music is more than just a casual past-time or hobby, it’s an integral part of his life which has shaped and molded his character and perspective on life. “All I know is that I find deep beauty in creating and sharing music, and that’s something I hope to keep with me… music can heal, and I’ve seen that happen.”

When not singing, Tony can be spotted on Tech’s campus in a multitude of activities to which he dedicates himself with unbridled fervor, whether it is with his involvement with Student Life, choir or his church. By being active while being a Tech student, Tony has garnered valuable experiences which have enlightened him on how to become a better student, performer and friend.

This is Tony’s final semester. Upon graduation he will have all the best wishes from the students, staff and faculty of Michigan Tech. His joyous and sincere manner will be missed. His music will echo in the minds and hearts of those who heard it. Tony’s family knows well the feeling of him being away for long periods of time. “Tony has made such positive impact in the lives of everyone he met to the point where they all want to be around him and when he is not here they can’t wait for him to return,” said his mother.

However, the loss of his bright presence comes with a celebration of his achievements. “As parents we are all proud of Tony for his accomplishments – it has been a long and somewhat bumpy road but he made it. As the saying goes, the race was not given to the swiftest but to the one who endures to the end.”

Tony is one of the many faces of Michigan Tech. There are other stories that could be told. But the mix of students, academics and activities that make up the portrait of Michigan Tech have been astonishingly brightened and enriched by Tony Lowe’s unending passion and celebration of life.