Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 29, 1990 TAG: 9004290099
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MADELYN ROSENBERG NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
The identical twins lived together while they were growing up, of course, in Enfield, N.C. Then they shared a dorm room as undergraduates at Winston-Salem State University, where they majored in psychology. And for the past two years they have shared an apartment while they worked toward master's degrees in industrial psychology at Radford University.
The Daniels were two of the 1,464 students who graduated during Radford's 77th commencement Saturday - part of the largest graduating class in the school's history.
Many of the graduates, teary-eyed, gave each other parting hugs amid the cheers and celebrations that followed the 11 a.m. ceremony.
But DeNell and Michelle aren't saying their goodbyes yet; the twins will continue as roommates when they take their first jobs in the "real world," working for the CIA.
"We've been together for 23 years," Michelle said. "We've always done everything together."
DeNell said the twins usually get along great - and expenses in Northern Virginia will be easier to handle if they are split.
The twins aren't exactly alike, though DeNell said people seem to think they should be, just because they're twins.
"I like to sew; Michelle doesn't. I like to cook; Michelle doesn't. She cleans, but I don't."
DeNell also doesn't talk as much, Michelle said. "We think alike, but we have our own distinct personalities."
Their professional interests, however, are the same, and Michelle said they should be able to use some of their psychology know-how in the CIA's personnel department.
"In school, people always went to me and DeNell, too, with their problems," Michelle said. "I think I've always liked psychology."
During their early school years, DeNell wanted to be a doctor. But by the time college rolled around, her interest had changed to psychology.
The twins filed across the stage in front of the John Preston McConnell Library to get their degrees along with 128 other master's candidates.
The undergraduates followed, shaking hands with Radford President Donald Dedmon as he handed them their degrees.
Some clutched balloons, others flowers, as they searched for friends and families, sometimes waving, sometimes giving a thumbs-up sign.
Dedmon told the students to be true to themselves and their ideals. "Above all else, maintain respect for what you do not know, and use what you do know to make the world a better place. The responsibility for the future falls with a special weight upon all those who claim to be educated."
Two graduate students were recognized for outstanding thesis work at a hooding ceremony prior to the graduation.
Shirley Byler Holland received the Best Research Thesis Award for a health-care services marketing model she developed.
Ricky Lane Cox, a candidate for a master's degree in English, created a collection of short stories and essays on Floyd County to win the best creative thesis award.
Maslin Russ Young won an award for excellence in teaching, and Russell Inman Greggory won the Donald N. Dedmon Professorial Award.
by CNB