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Jenna and Logan Griffiths at the Fall 2015 Western Illinois University Commencement ceremonies. Although after this weekend they will have graduated from WIU one semester apart with different majors, while at Western, the brother and sister both earned academic recognition as departmental scholars. (Logan was the Art Departmental Scholar in Fall 2015, and Jenna is the Social Work Departmental Scholar for Spring 2016.) In addition, based on their individual academic performance, both were selected as marshals for WIU's Commencement Weekend activities.
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Jenna and Logan Griffiths on their first day of kindergarten. Their similar drive to succeed may have something to do with the fact they are twins. But, when asked, Logan and Jenna said the values and motivation their parents instilled in them were influential factors, too.
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Fruitful Experiences: Brother, Sister Pursue Different Majors But Achieve Similar Honors as WIU Students

May 12, 2016

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MACOMB, IL – When it comes to the Griffiths, the adage the "apple doesn't fall from the tree" not only applies to the academic excellence Logan Griffith, and his sister, Jenna, were inspired to achieve by their parents, but the saying also applies to their similar achievements as students at Western Illinois University.

Although after this weekend they will have graduated from WIU one semester apart with different majors, while at Western, the brother and sister (from Dixon, IL) both earned academic recognition as departmental scholars. (Logan was the Art Departmental Scholar in Fall 2015, and Jenna is the Social Work Departmental Scholar for Spring 2016.) In addition, based on their individual academic performance, both were selected as marshals for WIU's Commencement Weekend activities.

Their similar drive to succeed may have something to do with the fact they are twins. But, when asked, Logan and Jenna said the values and motivation their parents instilled in them were influential factors, too.

"I was raised to put all my effort and ability into everything I do, so I held very high standards for myself academically when I was attending Western," Logan noted.

"I would say high achievement is important in my family, where academic excellence was always upheld," Jenna noted. "But I also think my professors—who helped me grow while I was in the social work program—were integral to helping me develop skills I will use in my social work career. My brother and I are the first grandchildren on my father's side to graduate with bachelor's degrees and the first in our immediate family to graduate from a four-year university."

According to Logan—who said he decided to apply to WIU after a campus visit during which he "instantly felt like I was at home not only in the art department, but also in Macomb"—the enjoyable time he spent at Western was complemented by the fact Jenna is a Leatherneck, too.

"Being able to attend WIU with my twin sister allowed for me the chance to make lasting memories with her during our college years. That would not have been possible if we had attended separate universities," he said.

Some of those memories for Logan include the friend relationships he established, as well as late night walks through the campus he described as one he "had come to love over the years." For Jenna, some of her best memories while at WIU have to do with her job as an office assistant at the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center and her volunteer experiences.

"In that job, I was able to interact with students and work in a fun atmosphere with individuals who go above and beyond at their jobs," she said. "My most memorable experience throughout my four years at Western was serving as 'Big Sister' for three years to a 'Little Brother' for the organization, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Warren and McDonough Counties."

As a recent graduate, Logan has plans to pursue a career in graphic design (he currently works at a restaurant in his hometown and is busily making art). Jenna has been accepted to, and is enrolled in graduate school, this fall to earn her master's degree in social work.

Like her twin brother, she said her decision to attend Western was a good one.

"When I first visited Western, I enjoyed the warm welcome I received during my tour. I also liked the size of WIU… I felt like I would be more than just a number. The Macomb community also reminded me of my hometown not because of its size, but the opportunities I was able to have to connect and network with others through both my volunteer experiences and my internship at the Center for Youth and Family Solutions in the community."

Posted By: Teresa Koltzenburg (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing