Thompson Triplets Graduate With Pride

Published on Monday, 21 May 2012 20:23

By D.E. Staff

Thompson Triplets Graduate With Honors

The Thompson family will be bursting with three times the pride on Sat., May 5, when Norfolk State University holds its spring commencement exercises with more than 800 students graduating. Dr. Randal Pinkett, noted scholar, entrepreneur and a past winner of NBC’s “The Apprentice,” will give the keynote address at the ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. in William “Dick” Price Stadium.

Triplets Bre’Andria, Cre’Andria and Dre’ Andria Thompson, all Dozoretz scholars, will graduate magna cum laude with Bachelor of Science degrees in chemistry. Magna cum laude is conferred to graduates with cumulative grade point averages between 3.50 and 3.74. The Dozoretz National Institute for Mathematics and Applied Sciences (DNIMAS) scholars are the first triplets to graduate from the program in its more than 25-year history.

Dr. Aliecia McClain, DNIMAS program director, has watched the sisters grow. “Upon their arrival at NSU it was very difficult to tell them apart. Because we could not identify them by their names, we identified them as a group even though they were completely different individuals,” she said. “They have grown into individuals proving to others and themselves that they are worthy of the distinction of being called Dozoretz Scholars.”

Known as Bre’, Cre’ and Dre’, the siblings have found a supportive and challenging environment at Norfolk State, and each expressed their gratitude. “Thanks to God and the supportive faculty and students here, I have surpassed challenges that I never thought I would overcome,” said Dre’. “My professors and my courses have allowed me to think critically and apply the concepts I have learned to the world around me,” said Bre’. “They have equipped me with an educational foundation that will allow me to be a competitive candidate for graduate or professional school anywhere,” said Cre’.

After graduation, their career paths may take them in different directions. Bre’ is interested in attending medical school; Cre’ is interested in going to dental school; and Dre’ is interested in attending graduate school for toxicology. While they may have different career choices, they’re not sure if they are ready to go their separate ways—just yet. “I really feel that it may be difficult for us to separate because we’ve been with each other our entire lives,” said Bre’. “The longest that we have been apart is approximately six to 10 weeks for our research/internship programs, and we constantly kept each other’s phone ringing off the hook.”

What advice would they give to other multiple siblings who are considering attending college together?

“I would advise multiples to room with other individuals rather than with each other,” said Cre’. “Rooming with others will allow them to venture out, meet new people and build social relationships with others. This will help multiples gain their own identities and personalities.”

Yet, whether they stay together or go their separate ways, it is clear that the sisters will remain best friends forever. “I like to think that we formed a special bond in the womb, so no matter how far or near we are from each other that bond will always be constant,” said Bre’, “and my love for them will always be infinite—always.”

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