Double the Experience: Four Twins Among FAMU Spring 2023 Graduates

May 19, 2023
Nursing School Twins
Double the Experience: Four Twins Among FAMU Spring 2023 Graduates

Twins Arielle and Brielle Walker of North Miami Beach, Florida, graduated from the School of Nursing. (Credit: Glenn Beil)

Twins Rhoda and Agnes Musyoka of Kissimmee, Florida, walked across the stage to accept the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degrees during Spring Commencement.

The siblings, whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from Kenya, came to FAMU in the fall 2017. Their mother, Serah, is a registered nurse, and their father, Alphonce, is a manager and business owner. Both Rhoda and Agnes were committed to pursuing healthcare careers early on.

Musyoka TwinsThe Musyoka twins, Agnes and Rhoda, both graduated from the FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, with PharmDs. (Credit: Glenn Beil)

“I always knew I wanted to work in the healthcare industry, and having seen and heard

the occupations of others, I felt that becoming a pharmacist fit me best, especially with having family members with chronic diseases and learning about the medications they took, it interested me more to learn about more medications, what they are used for, etc.,” said Rhoda, who is the taller of the twins and often speaks up first. “I chose to continue with FAMU’s pharmacy program after having a good undergraduate experience, but I also wanted to still be in the same environment with individuals similar to me.” 

The Musyokas are one of at least four pairs of twins who graduated from FAMU this spring.

Among the graduates were Christian and Chandler Ash, who graduated with degrees in music education and as K-12 certified teachers.

Ash TwinsChristian and Chandler Ash being interviewed by a GMA reporter before the Louis Vuitton Men’s Fashion Show in Paris. (Credit: Andrew Skerritt)

Fort Lauderdale natives, the Ash brothers were members of the Marching “100” Band and were among the contingent who traveled to Paris, France, to perform at the Louis Vuitton Men’s Fashion Show in June 2022.

Arielle and Brielle Walker of North Miami Beach, Florida, graduated from the School of Nursing (SON). They plan to begin a nurse residency program, then transfer to a cardiac intensive care unit, said SON Dean Shelley Johnson, Ph.D.

A fourth set of twins, Jaelen and Jazlen Patrick of Atlanta, graduated with degrees in broadcast journalism from the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication.

SJGC TwinsJaelen (standing) and Jazlen Patrick (Credit: Jaelen and Jazlen Patrick)

Both are returning to their hometown to pursue opportunities after a positive experience on the Tallahassee campus.

“Being a twin at FAMU made everything so much easier,” Jazlen said. “Coming to FAMU was a new experience for us and having someone to do everything with made it 10 times easier.”