Just how exactly does a set of triplets from northwest Ohio end up graduating from Eastern Mennonite University?<\/p>\n
\u201cWe chose individually,\u201d Rachel King said.<\/p>\n
Finishing her sister\u2019s thoughts as she often does, Emma King agreed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, we didn\u2019t come because each other came,\u201d she said. \u201cThat was a small factor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Together with their brother, Isaac, the 22-year-olds were three of the 486 students to walk across the stage at Yoder Arena Sunday afternoon for Eastern Mennonite\u2019s 97th annual commencement ceremony.<\/p>\n
Emma King said she came to EMU because of its prestigious communication program. She joked that another draw was its distance from their hometown of West Unity, Ohio.<\/p>\n
Although the triplets share a common genetic sequence and alma mater, they differ in their interests.<\/p>\n
Isaac King graduated with a degree in biochemistry, while Rachel King studied biology and Emma King majored in digital media and communications.<\/p>\n
The Kings also traveled to different countries for the university\u2019s cross-cultural exchange program.<\/p>\n
Emma King visited China; Rachel traveled to Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey, and Isaac went to Israel and Palestine.<\/p>\n
Isaac King said the exchange program sticks out in his mind as one of his favorite experiences while at EMU.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m pretty sure for all three of us it was pretty transformative,\u201d he said. \u201cIt put a lasting impression on all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n
All three plan to stick around Harrisonburg.<\/p>\n
Emma King will be working on an internship at EMU, while her sister and brother will assist the university\u2019s science faculty on research projects. Rachel King and her brother said they eventually plan to attend graduate school.<\/p>\n
The siblings said that upon arriving at EMU, they intentionally didn\u2019t tell people at first that they were triplets, because back home they were always referred to as \u201cthe triplets\u201d or \u201cthe Kings.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then, this is kind of funny, because we didn\u2019t tell people we were siblings, and they mistakenly would assume they were dating,\u201d Rachel King said about her brother and sister, \u201cwhich is kind of unfortunate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the awkward run-ins that came with being triplets, she said having her two siblings on campus helped her adjust to college life.<\/p>\n
\u201cHome is 8 1\/2\u00a0hours away,\u201d she said, \u201cbut because we\u2019re all here, it didn\u2019t feel like it was that far away.\u201d<\/p>\n