Siblings. If you’re not an only child, you grew up with them, celebrated birthdays with them and probably got into some trouble with them from time to time. For some, going to college is a chance to get away from siblings. For these eight Bluffton students, however, attending the same college as their sibling has only brought them closer.
Leslie and LaJohn Beasley
“It wasn’t our plan to attend the same university─like we wanted to split because we’ve been together our entire lives,” said junior Leslie Beasley. “We have our separate lives on campus, but we still experience some similar things, just as a regular college student.”
“You’ve always got family,” said junior LaJohn Beasley. “You’ve always got someone who is there and knows you very very well and can help you whenever you need it.”
Jenny and Justin Dorsey
“I would say [going to Bluffton together] has probably helped us to grow closer,” said first-year Justin Dorsey. “We’re closer now than even before she went to school, because I think a lot of the things we’re going through now are more serious. We don’t have our parents to go to, so we go to each other.”
“Justin and I were like best friends growing up,” said sophomore Jenny Dorsey. “So, it’s kind of nice to have one of your best friends here. They can’t disown you because they have to go home with you.”
Emma and Sydney Cobb
“I literally see Emma every single day, and she’s the only human that I can say I see her every day,” said sophomore Sydney Cobb. “Like we go home and we live in the same room and then we come to college and I see her at meals and I’ll see her in Marbeck. Emma is just always there, which is going to be weird after she graduates.”
“There’s just a level of consistency which is nice,” said junior Emma Cobb. “You can talk about Bluffton when you’re at home, and you can talk about home when you’re at college.”
Young Emma Cobb gives her little sister, Sydney, a kiss on the cheek. Photo provided by Emma Cobb
“I think we’ve gotten a lot closer,” said Emma. “College is where you grow, so growing together and becoming closer together has been nice.”
“I think we see each other more as equals. We’re sisters, but we’re also equal and we’re friends,” said Sydney. “It’s a good time.”
Kori and Wayne Frey
“We have an older brother who went [to Bluffton] for all four years, so I started learning campus,” said sophomore Kori Frey. “I started meeting with professors. I felt like it was the best fit for me.”
“If I ever needed something I guess I could tell her, ‘Hey, I need to borrow your truck or something’ and vice versa,” said first-year Wayne Frey.
“He’s a bit of a handyman, so if I need help with my car or projects, he’s here,” said Kori.
