Having family nearby can make the transition to college a little easier. For three freshmen, family will be right here on campus.
Triplets Ethan, Griffin and Landon Gantte, from Dandridge, Tennessee, began their college careers at UT this fall. Growing up close to campus, they never envisioned going to school anywhere else—and having familiar faces on campus at the beginning of the school year makes it even more special.
Despite being triplets, “our friends would say we are each our own person,” said Ethan. “We’re fairly different and not like your stereotypical triplets. Landon was the firstborn and he definitely has the traits of an older brother—he’s the more dominant, bossy and protective of the three of us.”
Yet there are plenty of similarities and shared interests.
Ethan and Landon will major in anthropology and hope to play intramural soccer. Griffin will majoring in Spanish and wants to spend time rock climbing. Griffin and Landon will be roommates in Morrill Residence Hall, while Ethan will room with a childhood friend in Fred D. Brown Jr. Residence Hall.
“We also decided to come to UT so that we could start out on our own and become more diverse,” Ethan said, explaining that he and his brothers are eager to explore their individuality—although they’re happy to be doing it together.
The Gantte blood runs orange: the triplets’ parents, Stephen and Deanna Gantte, are both UT alumni, and Deanna works a radiologist at UT Medical Center. The family has two younger siblings and potential future Vols—Alex, ten, and Olivia, six.
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C O N T A C T:
Amy Blakely (865-974-5034, ablakely@utk.edu)