Just a few weeks after starting their freshman semester at Williamson, the Kimp triplets learned that their father had passed away after a long illness.
Such news could have altered—if not disrupted—their college plans. The brothers remembered how their father always wanted them to go to Williamson. That memory carried them through their first difficult semester and the following three years.
Dashaun, Daiquon and Damier knew Williamson meant the world to their father. Darnell Kimp learned of the trades college during his 22-year career at Eddystone Generating Station. He advanced from the mail room to shift foreman at the Exelon plant, which recruits many Williamson students.
"He ended up training guys from Williamson," says Daiquon, who recently interviewed with Exelon employees. They fondly remembered his father.
Darnell saw the character and work ethic of the young men from Williamson and wanted his boys to be a part of it. That's why it hit the boys hard that their father wouldn't see them graduate from the school he so admired.
Raising six children in the Germantown section of Philadelphia wasn't easy, but Darnell had a steady income and their mother, Dawn, took occasional shifts at a neighborhood restaurant. They were able to provide for their large family until Darnell became ill and unable to work.
Until his illness, Darnell had always considered Williamson an option for his sons' post-secondary education. Now, Williamson was the only option. It was all they could afford.
Getting into Williamson wasn't exactly one, two, three and done. Damier was wait-listed, but admitted to the masonry program at the last minute.
"It would have been a huge mistake if I didn't let him into the program," says Director of Masonry Pete Zwolak 0W7. "He's so versatile, he can do whatever he wants. He leads with action. All three of them are a joy. Their parents did a great job!"
Seeing them around campus, it was hard to tell the triplets apart. But in shop, it was easy to differentiate them as young tradesmen. Dashaun excelled in machine tool technology and used his expert welding skills to help his shop mates. Daiquon was "a superstar in the shop," says Power Plant Director Scott Chillman. Damier competed in the 2019 Junior Bricklayer 500 at Fizzano Brothers in Crum Lynn and won first place.
The brothers all received job offers after graduation, and while their family cheered them on, nobody's support was more deeply missed than Darnell's, the father who always believed his sons belonged at Williamson.
"Everyone misses him," Dashaun says, "I think he would definitely be proud."
The Williamson community honors the memory of Darnell, whose legacy can be seen in the lives of his three sons and their successful futures.
You can help to prepare the next generation of Williamson Men to be respected leaders and productive members of society by making a gift in your will or other estate plan. Contact Arlene A. Snyder, CFRE at 610-566-1776, Ext. 246 or asnyder@williamson.edu to learn more.