The Dozers: OHIO’s graduating siblings
Gabrielle, Griffin and Evan Dozer graduated together in spring 2025, each following a unique path. They reflect on the support of OHIO’s community, the joy of learning side by side and the pride of celebrating as a family.
Kweku Diaw MA '25 | Edited by: Emma Stevenson BSVC '27 | June 17, 2025
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Every once in a while, the stars seem to align for something extraordinary. For the Dozer family, spring 2025 was one of those moments.
Between life-changing events like being deployed in Air Force boot camp and getting engaged, three Dozer siblings all graduated with the class of 2025 and reflect on the experience they had as individuals and as siblings on OHIO’s campus.
Meet the Dozer siblings: Griffin, Gabrielle, and Evan, three 51ÂÒÂ× students all shared the same graduating class and crossed the finish line together despite pursuing different paths. Griffin, a future doctor of osteopathic medicine; Gabrielle, a dedicated nursing graduate; and Evan, who studied aviation flight with an aviation management minor, have defied the odds, making their simultaneous graduation a remarkable feat. We sat down with them to explore their unique journey as siblings who have navigated college life side by side—culminating in a celebration years in the making.
Q & A with the Dozer siblings
Q: What were your college experiences like as individuals and as siblings?
Gabrielle: My college experience was nothing short of amazing. My timeline was very different from the average college student. I started a semester late after returning from Air Force boot camp. The year after, I was deployed to Ali Al Salem in Kuwait for 8 months. Once I returned, I officially started nursing school and met the most amazing friends. I also joined a sorority, , and met even more phenomenal people. Through all of my military obligations, my teachers and clinical instructors worked so well to accommodate me and I am very grateful for that.
Gabrielle Dozer
Griffin: It was just as much about learning life skills and habits, as it was about coursework. It was amazing to watch my siblings grow as students and come into their own as people.
Evan: My college experience was super exciting. I was fortunate enough to start flight training at the beginning of my freshman year, and then I stayed the next two summers which allowed me to finish my flight courses in two and a half years. I also was involved with at OHIO in my freshman year which surrounded me with another awesome community that led to so many great friendships and growing in my faith. As siblings, I think all three of our college experiences were different but also very rewarding. Each of our paths have taken us along different journeys but have all led to us meeting together at graduation!
Q: How did OHIO’s campus atmosphere and educational structure help you achieve your goals?
Gabrielle: The educational structure and atmosphere at OHIO was exceptional. I learned so much from the most caring and compassionate teachers. Their support and willingness to help me is so appreciated. I quickly learned how mentally and physically exhausting nursing school is. My professors helped me work through some days and chapters of my stay in school immensely. I am forever grateful for every single professor and clinical instructor in the School of Nursing. Anyone can teach, but not everyone can be compassionate and caring to their students.
Griffin: OHIO's campus atmosphere was very inclusive and community-oriented. It felt like everyone, from professors to classmates, wants you to succeed, which I found beneficial during my time at the University.
Evan: I was able to experience OHIO throughout all four seasons which allowed me to see campus with different lenses. The University’s educational structure helped me to make the most of my time here – my success advisor, my instructors, and my professors all invested a lot of time so that I could grow and succeed as a student and a pilot.
Evan Dozer
Q: How did it feel to be a graduating family?
Gabrielle: I was excited for all of us to graduate. It felt awesome to know that the three of us are graduating from OHIO together. My brothers are hardworking and dedicated. I know the impact they will have on the world will continue to amaze me. As much as I have loved this chapter of my life, I am ecstatic about being a nurse in South Carolina. New beginnings come from another beginning's end!
Griffin: There was immense pride in seeing all our hard work culminate in us earning our degrees. I am so proud of what Gabi and Evan have accomplished.
Evan: It was such an exciting time because growing up, we were all moving through different phases of life, and now all three of us celebrated graduating from OHIO together! It’s was so cool, walking over to my sister or brother’s place whenever I wanted to crash a dinner or take their dog on a walk. It feels a bit shocking, but it was an honor to be a ‘graduating family’. We’re all so proud of each other because we know how hard each of us have worked to get to where we are.
Q: Did you have special celebrations planned around coordinating your graduations?
Gabrielle: We are celebrating our graduation in the second-best Athens! Our whole family is going to Athens, Greece, at the beginning of June to have one last celebration before starting life in the real world.
Griffin: We had a family celebration at a cabin in Hocking Hills the weekend of Gabi and Evans' graduation, but we will be in Athens, Greece, in June for one last party.
Evan: Our parents booked a cabin around Athens, so our whole family celebrated our graduation. It was awesome, because our whole family got to spend the whole weekend together playing games, hanging out, and going to the graduation ceremony on Saturday.
Q: What were the most memorable moment you had as siblings on OHIO’s campus?
Gabrielle: My most memorable moments were the little ones - playing pickleball at the rec center, weekly sibling dinners, coffee runs, running into my brothers on campus, etc. With all three of us living in different states after graduation, I know I will miss not seeing their smiling faces yelling at me from across the street. Our last-minute lunches are quickly turning into weekend trips to see each other. Not having them in a 10-mile radius will be the hardest pill to swallow. I’m excited to see where we all end up. Thankfully, OHIO prepared us for whatever we will endure.
Griffin: Some of the most memorable moments I had with my siblings at OHIO are proposing to my now wife, celebrating with my siblings when she said yes, and being with them during Mom’s, Dad’s, and Sibling’s weekends. Lastly, being able to hang out with them in my apartment or meet up with them on Court Street will be something I will miss.
Evan: What comes to mind is when Griffin proposed to his now-wife at The Summit after they had a romantic dinner. Gabrielle, my other brother Grant, and I all got things together for the big surprise, and then we went out and celebrated after! It was such a sweet moment that we got to celebrate in Athens!