Twin sisters plan individual paths with IU Kokomo biology degrees

Brooklyn Garber and Sammie Garber have done everything together their whole lives.

The twin sisters grew up playing soccer together, in local leagues, on travel teams, and for Western High School in Howard County. When it was time to decide where to attend college, they decided to continue together, playing soccer and earning degrees in biology at Indiana University Kokomo.

“It’s basically like having your best friend with you all the time,” said Brooklyn Garber, while Sammie Garber said it was fun to share classes.

“There were times our schedules didn’t align, but we enjoyed when we could be in courses together and bounce ideas off each other’s brains,” she said. “It also made things easier when we were traveling for soccer. We always had someone pushing us in the right direction.”

Moving forward, however, their paths are diverging.

Both graduated in December 2024, and Sammie has enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy program at Manchester University. Brooklyn is currently applying to veterinary schools.

It’s going to be challenging for both of them.

“As much as I don’t admit it, I love having her around,” Sammie said of her sister. “I can just call her, and we can spend the day together. It’s nice to know you always have someone in your corner. Nowhere is far enough that I won’t hop in my car and go where she is and make it a priority to see her.”

Brooklyn agreed.

“I will miss Sammie a lot, but it’s going to be awesome to see the growth she’s going to do, while I’m growing into my veterinary profession,” she said. “I hope when we’re both done and can move closer to each other. Wherever we are, we will cheer each other on. We each have our own cheerleader, even if we’re not in the same city.”

Brooklyn said their success, in the classroom and on the soccer field, is a reflection of IU Kokomo’s academic and athletic program.

“IU Kokomo sets their student athletes up for success,” she said. “Our athletic director and our professors do a great job supporting us, and make sure we have the tools to be as great as they want us to be.”

One of the accommodations made was 6 a.m. soccer practice, which Sammi said was challenging, but also made it possible for her to play soccer, have a job, and be a student.

“It was for the greater good,” she said. “Biology classes are very demanding, and you have long labs in the middle of the day. Having practices during the day or at night would have made it hard. Those early morning practices made it possible to balance school and work.”

She feels prepared for the challenge of four years of pharmacy school.

“The small classes allowed me to build connections and learn in a way that fits me best,” she said. “I’ve been able to focus on myself and what works best for me. Playing soccer and having a job and being a full-time student has helped me learn to manage my time.”

Brooklyn doesn’t know yet where she will go to veterinary school but also feels ready for the challenge.

“Having a close-knit family here in our classes allowed me to be comfortable addressing situations, good and bad, with professors and classmates,” she said. “It’s allowed me to expand myself as a person seeking knowledge and not be afraid to ask questions and push myself further.”

Their athletic experiences also contributed to their success.

“Sports teach you to deal with adversity,” Sammi said. “You’re not always going to be in the best situation but having people around you to support you and lean on when times are rough, it was the best part of being on the team. You get to experience and see things you wouldn’t normally be able to see at this time in your life, and you get to do that with your best friends. That really pushes you to be a better person, not just for yourself, but for your teammates. That plays a huge role in wherever you end up.”

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.