The Collegian

Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Focus

Hillsdale College siblings may each blaze their distinct social trails on campus, but their trails inevitably cross paths when it comes to supporting the other.

Junior Rob Ogden's brother, sophomore Tommy Ogden, and sister, freshman Rachel Ogden, both attend Hillsdale.

"It wasn't some kind of epiphany when Tom came, but it's nice to have a brother around," Rob Ogden said.

Sitting together at a table, the Ogdens said they often help each other out. They pass textbooks down to one another and occasionally have family coffee breaks.

Rob, a drummer, often lends his musical talent to Crossroads, whose music Tommy directs. If one Ogden needs some help with money, the others often come to the other's aid.

"Our things are open to one another if the need arises," Rob Ogden said. "Mi casa es tu casa."

"Or, 'Mi dinero es tu dinero,' as the case may be," Rachel said.

Junior Mary Dell said her sister Rebekah Dell, '06, director of the Student Activities Office, often helps her in similar situations.

"When I have no money, which is very frequent, on a lunch break she'll call to see if I want to go eat lunch with her at Oakley," Mary Dell said.

She gives Rebekah support in her job by attending all the events her office organizes.
"I'm obligated [as her sister] to go to every single event now, partly because she's in charge of those student events and because I want to support her because she works very hard at what she does," Mary said.

During the first days, older students can sometimes give their younger siblings a jump-start to their nascent college lives. Before Rachel found her own circle of friends, she said it was good to socialize with her brothers and their friends.

"It was really helpful the first couple weeks to have them here, since I didn't know anyone," Rachel Ogden said. "It was nice to be able to hang out with them. I had a little bit of a boost getting to know people."

The younger Ogdens and Mary Dell said it was helpful having their siblings' social ties to rely on during the first few days. But they all made an extra effort to mold their own identities.

"It meant I had to make an extra effort to be my own person and find my own group of friends, not just rely on Rob," Tommy Ogden said.

Even the eldest siblings can find their younger siblings' presence on campus a benefit. Even if they are already comfortable and established at college, their siblings often offer small, but meaningful, gestures.

Continued...

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