Caption: Left to right: Chris, Kate, Steve, and Greg Lomaka sit outside Burruss Hall (PHOTO: Virginia Tech)
BLACKSBURG, Va. (WTVR) – At most colleges the word Quad means a grassy place near the middle of campus where students read, toss the Frisbee or relax. But the term is going to take on new meaning at Virginia Tech later this month.
The Lomaka family is about to make history as four children — quadruplets — enroll at the university. The siblings will become the first set of quadruplets to enter the Blacksburg campus.
Greg, Steve, Chris and Kate graduated from Godwin High School in Henrico County in June. But Steve Lomaka, the second-oldest sibling, said he chose Tech way before graduating – or even starting – high school.
“I pretty much chose Virginia Tech when I was five years old,” Steve said in a media release. “I visited campus for the first time as a high school junior during spring break, but I had watched the football games since I was a kid and fell in love with the school.”
Steve will major in information systems.
The remaining quads took a little bit more time to make their college choice.
“It was always a school I really wanted to go to, but I didn’t think I would be accepted,” said Chris, who will major in building construction . “But my dad nudged me and the rest is history.”
Greg will major in statistics and Kate in human nutrition, foods, and exercise.
While the children prepare for their next chapter in life, their parents preparing for a break they don’t really want to experience.
“It’s going to be really quiet at home. I’m going to miss them terribly. They have been a huge part of my life,” said mother Tina. “Being at one school will make it easier on us as parents. We will rent one truck and move them all in at the same time. One family weekend, one football game weekend to concentrate on, instead of being spread out.”
An older Lomaka sister will also be in Blacksburg as she begins school at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. The Lomaka’s have a 16-year-old son who will make sure the family home isn’t too quiet with his brothers and sister off at school.
