For most, attending college means leaving home behind, but for the Ferguson triplets, home came to campus with them as they all decided to attend the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. While Drew, Josh and Paige found their own interests in sports, finance and medicine, respectively, the triplets stayed connected through friendships and shared experiences. Now, they will cross the graduation stage just as they came into this world — together.
The triplets from Omaha took University Communication and Marketing behind the scenes of their journey.
How did the college decision process look for the three of you? Did you want to attend school together?
Drew: The college decision was pretty easy for the three of us. I have always known that I wanted to attend the University of Nebraska because of my love for the Huskers, and it is close to home.
Josh: Growing up going to Nebraska football games, we all knew we wanted to be Huskers from day one. Our oldest sister, Haley, went to UNO on a full-ride scholarship, and our older brother, Jess, attended UNL just three years ahead of us. Based on Jess’ experience in his fraternity, I knew that Lincoln was the place for me. I looked up to Jess for that decision.
We never made it clear to each other that we wanted to attend the university together, but we knew it was an option. I think that UNL was just a place where we all felt at home, and having all three of us together would make it feel even more special.
Paige: We knew Lincoln was where our home would be for the next four years. I think we can all confidently say that was the best decision for all of us!
Do you have any memories growing up a Husker fan?
Drew: My first memories of being a Husker fan are at block parties with my family and going to Husker football games with our dad. It’s cool to know that I will be a Husker for life once I reach alumni status, and we have been Husker fans our whole lives.
Josh: Every Saturday, we went somewhere to watch the football game. The best part about all that was having so many kids our age in the neighborhood, so we could play our own games of football in the front or backyard while watching the Huskers on the screen.
What was it like navigating the transition to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and how did having your siblings by your side impact the experience?
Drew: Similar to most college students, it was difficult being away from home for the first time. Having Josh in Phi Delta Theta with me helped a lot, and seeing Paige on the weekends was always nice too. We knew that no matter how difficult it got being away from home, we had a piece of home in Lincoln with us.
Josh: Having Drew and Paige by my side definitely made it more of a seamless transition. Especially joining the same fraternity as Drew, that pledge process was so much more fun and comfortable having him by my side. Paige is in Kappa, and we were able to see her every weekend, and it was good knowing that our sister was close to us as well.
Paige: Navigating from Omaha to Lincoln was scary; we were entering a new chapter of life. From the first year of college to now, I still see the boys at least once a week, so in a way, it felt like I never left home. We have always been so close and knowing I would always have that support system if I needed it made moving to college feel easy.
Talk a bit about how you all chose your different colleges and majors, and how it reflects your unique personalities and interests.
Drew: Paige has talked about going into medicine since we were kids, so it was no surprise when she decided to do that. Josh has always been business savvy and even had a small business in high school, so it’s been great to see him grow with a finance degree. For me, I had an interest in sports media ever since high school, so once I decided I wanted to switch my major as a sophomore, it was a no-brainer.
Josh: I chose finance as my major because I always wanted to be a financial advisor. That was my “dream job” growing up, even before I knew what being an advisor truly entailed. As for my minor, the reason I interviewed to be in the Clifton Builders Program was because it made me feel like I was a part of something that really grew me as a person. It made me stronger in the academic workplace by instilling confidence and discipline into everything I did.
Paige: Going into college, we knew we all had different interests. I knew I always wanted to pursue a job in the medical field. I came in confidently wanting to be a doctor but didn’t know how or if that would change once I was actually in classes. But that dream has stuck with me all four years, and I plan to attend medical school next fall. I’ve always wanted to make a difference in others’ lives.
In what ways did you all stay connected over the past four years while also having your own experiences?
Drew: Since we always had the same group of friends, it was easy to stay connected the last four years. It’s good to know that we have always been there for each other despite our different paths in school, because I know it can be easy for siblings to grow distant in times when they don’t see each other as often.
Josh: Drew and I have been totally connected through the fraternity. We have really done everything together, so every experience I have, he has too. He’s been by my side through it all. As for Paige, us three have always had a tight bond. Paige will always be seen as the “little sister” to Drew and I, even though she is older than us. We will always be there to protect and look after her, so that is something we have made sure to do all of college, no matter how annoying that is to her…
Paige: It has helped that a lot of our friends have become mutual friends with each other. The new friends the boys met became my friends, and my new friends became their friends. We hang out at the same places, do the same things, and that makes it easy to just know everyone. Our paths honestly just exist together.
What does it mean to the three of you to be crossing the commencement stage together?
Drew: It means a lot to me. We came into the world together, and now we are going to be graduating from college together. Considering all the places we could have gone to become ourselves, knowing we did it in the same place is really special.
Josh: It means a lot to accomplish this together. It means most to our mom that we get to walk the stage one after another. This will kind of be our “final thing” that the three of us get to do together for a while, since Drew and I are moving to Nashville and Paige is attending medical school soon. I’m grateful to have had both of them with me throughout the last four years, and this is a perfect way to cap it off.
Paige: I’m so proud of all the accomplishments that we have been a part of together, but I’ve always been so proud of all the things that they and I do separately. Now, the time has just finally come.
What is something you have learned from your siblings during your time at Nebraska together?
Drew: Something I have learned from my siblings is to always keep pushing even when times get hard. They have had their individual battles throughout school and life, but they have always overcome their obstacles. They are huge inspirations to me.
Josh: I know this sounds so cliché, but I’ve truly learned the importance of keeping family close. It has really made me appreciate how we were raised by our parents: to keep the family value high on our priority list and to never let it slip. It has been an incredible journey with these two, and they’re the reason that my future plans are to move back to Nebraska when I’m starting a family. I want my family to be close with theirs and our kids to be best friends, just like we all were growing up.
Paige: One thing I’ve learned is how impactful it is to have a support system so close. In the beginning, not knowing many people, I knew there were always two boys out there I could count on. As we moved through college, we went on trips together and continued to hang out constantly. There was never a day that I doubted they would always be there for me. And I think it’s important to have a support system like that.
