Doing a Double Take: Twins receive Weyenberg and Phi Eta Sigma Scholarships

They share the same work ethic, values and leadership goals. They even have the same grade point average. And one day, they hope to be business partners.

Twins Kody and Kyle Klumb, both UW-Green Bay Business Administration majors, have begun a collection of  prestigious awards and recognition. In spring, each received a $2,500 scholarship that comes with the Weyenberg Prize for Excellence in Business. In summer of 2019, each received a $5,000 scholarship from Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society.

Honored by their achievements, they say they would have been disappointed if one of them had been overlooked.

Of the Weyenberg Awad, Kody Klumb said, “We are the same in so many ways. It would’ve been disappointing if I was the only one selected.”

“It makes it extra special to be able to share the honor together,” adds Kyle.

The Weyenberg Prize for Excellence and its corresponding scholarships are named in recognition of Tim Weyenberg, former CEO for Foth, an engineering company with a broad portfolio of clients, including Fortune 500 companies.

“Mr. Weyenberg is incredibly accomplished and being able to receive an award named after him is inspiring. I hope to follow a similar, successful career path,” says Kyle. “I believe it (the Weyenberg Prize} means going above and beyond to demonstrate a strong work ethic and leadership skills; wanting to make changes that will last and positively impact those around them. That’s exactly what Kyle and I want to do,” concludes Kody.

Identical beyond biology

Both Kody and Kyle say they are much more alike than they are different. Kyle says, “We both have very similar interests. We enjoy things such as boating, snowmobiling, and golfing.” Kody adds, “We are similar is so many ways: Our work ethic, competitiveness, willingness to help people, leadership goals, and respect for people.”

It’s no surprise then that the twins tout very similar, and impressive, resumes, and a perfect GPA.

Kody is emphasis in Finance. He will graduate with a major in Finance and a minor in Accounting with a professional goal of becoming a Certified Financial Planner. He is the vice president of the UW-Green Bay Student Finance Association. He is also a member of both the Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Societies and was selected as the Student Organization Leader for the month of November. He is also a student representative of the UW-Green Bay Strategic Budget Committee.

Kyle is majoring in Accounting and minoring in Business Administration. He wants to be a CPA. He serves as President of the UW-Green Bay Student Finance Association and is a Midwest Regional Conference Coordinator for the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. He is also a member of both the Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Societies. He, along with Kody, got the opportunity to speak at the national Phi Eta Sigma conference, and are Midwest Regional Conference coordinators for Phi Eta Sigma.

Their only major difference? Well, Kyle is more than an inch taller than Kody, although each fill out their 6-foot-plus frame.

Green Bay all the way

The Klumb family (from Marinette, Wis.) has deep roots at UW-Green Bay.

Kody explains, “My parents and relatives are graduates of the University and their degrees have led them to successful careers. I wanted to follow in their footsteps.” Kyle adds, “My mother [Laurie (Bergold) Klumb ’94 (Managerial Accounting)] is actually an accounting graduate, so I knew first hand that UW-Green Bay had a solid program. It’s like a family here, and family has always been important to me.” He concludes, “UW-Green Bay has been a solid name in our household. Given we knew the strength of the business program, we had no reason to look elsewhere.”

Business Administration provided a natural tug

“The thing that drew me most to my major was that it would allow me to combine my interest in numbers along with my passion to help others,” Kody said. Kyle agreed: “I have always had a strong passion for numbers and felt that becoming an accountant would be a great profession for me. Accounting is the backbone of every business so I felt I would have many career options.”

Both feel that UW-Green Bay and the Cofrin School of Business were the right choices.

Says Kody, “My experience here has been amazing! I have met so many great people. My instructors are top notch and go out of their way to help me succeed. I appreciate the smaller class size and the ability to easily reach my professors when I have questions.”

Ditto for Kyle. “My experience here at Green Bay has been great! I have met so many interesting people and have had so many opportunities. My professors are very knowledgeable in their discipline and I have learned so much. I am thankful I chose this school!”

Brotherly Bond from the beginning

Sans the six minutes between Kody and Kyle’s arrival into the world (Kody was the first born), they have remained together since inception. And they say they have no plans to change in the future.

Kyle explains, “Kody and I work well together. My career might take me temporarily down a different path but ultimately our goal is to one day be in business together.”

“We have a unique bond and work well together,” Kody says. “It would be rewarding to combine our work ethic and knowledge of the finance industry and use it to provide the best financial services to people.”

Story by freelance writer, Kim Viduski ’92
Photos by photographer/videographer Dan Moore, Office of Marketing and University Communication