University News

WIU Celebrates Multiples Month in April

April 25, 2024

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MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University has a lot to be excited about and celebrating National Multiple Birth Awareness Month is no different. We asked some of our multiple students about their experiences of being born as twins, triplets or even rarer multiples and how it shaped their upbringing and college life.

For Chazz Banks and his sisters, April is a time for celebration. Raised in Hillside, IL, Chazz grew up alongside his two sisters, their bond not just in blood but through shared experiences that carried them into adulthood.

"All three of our personalities are so unique and different, yet simultaneously very similar," Chazz said.

At WIU, where many multiples attend college, Chazz and his sisters are a familiar sight. Their presence on campus is known for their infectious energy and closeness, capturing the attention of many faculty and staff.

"As an advisor, my colleagues and I are in a unique position where many of us can meet our ‘double and triple' Leathernecks throughout our academic careers at Western. It's an honor that these multiples have chosen Western; and that is something we do not take for granted," First Year Academic Advisor Tammie Leigh Brown-Edwards said. "It's certainly a wonderment to me that so many are here together and they have become friends with other twins and triplets on campus. They certainly put the double in our W."

As Chazz navigates his college experience, he finds comfort in having his sisters by his side. From late-night study sessions to impromptu adventures around campus, their bond does not go unnoticed.

"Everyone knows us for being outgoing, energetic and nice individuals," Chazz said. "I consider me and my siblings to be best friends."

Like the Banks triplets, twins Will and Sam Desalle have very similar personalities and have done everything together, including attending WIU.

"Will and I are from Springfield, IL, and in our extended family alone, there are five sets of twins, including Will and I," Sam said. "It's like having a lifelong best friend, as we do everything together, share a room and help each other with studies."

Over the years, WIU has discovered a community of twins and triplets, each with their own stories. The campus has a large presence from the Banks and Williams triplets, the Turney twins and the DeSalle twins, each bringing its uniqueness to the University.

"For the three years my brothers and I have been here we have met so many multiples. But there aren't too many multiples that attend this school altogether like my brothers and I. When we first arrived on this campus in 2021 we happened to meet another set of African-American triplets and we are still close to this day. Their set of triplets includes two girls and a boy and my triplets and I are all boys. We thought it was nice to meet another set of triplets as soon as we did because we had not had one before coming to WIU," CDT Douglas Williams Jr. said.

Additionally, among them was Cynthia Delgado, a graduate student whose connection to WIU ran deep. As a triplet herself, Cynthia has connections with different multiples on campus, sharing the same experiences.

"Being at WIU while being a twin has been an enjoyable experience and made many transitions a lot easier," Sam said.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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