Morgantown senior, Brent Fields and his identical twin, Clint, have shared almost everything since day one. The only thing they haven’t shared is a university.

Brent chose Western and his brother chose Belmont University in Nashville.

Now the two are sharing the same graduation date, but they are 40 miles apart.

“I can’t believe we’re going to graduate on the same day,” Fields said. “My mom said she’s not going to either so she can be fair about it, but my dad said he’s going to Clint’s because his college costs more.”

With the possibility of his parents missing his graduation, Fields will instead be looking in the audience for his two groups of friends – members of the Baptist Student Union and members of Alpha Gamma Rho.

“A lot of people think it’s strange to be so involved with BSU and be in a fraternity,” he said. “I did feel like I was leading a double life for a while, but I enjoy being in both organizations.”

Fitting in with the stereotypical images of a “frat boy” wasn’t easy for Fields – he didn’t want to. It was important to him that his religious beliefs not be compromised and for everyone to know and understand that. He made it clear to his fraternity brothers that he did not drink, and even clearer that he was never going to.

“I just don’t see the point in it,” he said. “I joined a fraternity for the friendships, not the drinking and parties.”

The brotherhood of AGR was what initially roped Fields into the fraternity. He enjoys being around others interested in agriculture and coming from farming families.

As an agriculture major, owner of 3,000 acres of corn and soybeans and an ambassador for the Agriculture Department, it is important for Fields to be around people who share his passions.

“AGR gave me a way to be around guys who were interested in the things I was,” he said. “It gives everyone a common interest to build off of.”

After only two years with the fraternity, Fields was elected as the Rush Chair for AGR and activities director for the Interfraternity Council.

Although fraternity life keeps him busy, Fields remains even busier with his faith.

He is the music minister at his church in Cromwell. There he organizes all of the church’s services, works with the choir and is currently putting together a praise band.

As a member of the BSU council leadership team, Fields has been very active in many of the BSU’s services.

“It’s a great Christian atmosphere,” Fields said. “The first thing I went to when I came to Western was a worship service called ‘Power Source.’ It was amazing to be in a room with Christians all your age.”

With all that Fields has been active in, it’s hard to imagine his core cheering section absent during graduation, but he isn’t worried about it.

“While I’m here I want to make the most of everything I can,” Fields said. “And I know that there will be people cheering for me along the way.”