MC student with 13 siblings pursues business degreeOctober 17, 2024

When Oliver Robnett makes lunch for his younger siblings, he makes 11 sandwiches!

“We go through a loaf of bread each day,” he said.  “It’s pretty wild around my house.  There are a total of 14 children including me.  I’m the third oldest.  My two older sisters are no longer living in the house, but my parents have a long way to go before the youngest, who is 4, leaves the house.”

Robnett’s parents Dila and the Honorable Jeff Robnett adopted most of the children.  In fact Oliver is one of only three biological children.  The Robnetts first adopted the child of a friend of his wife’s sister who couldn’t keep the baby. They since continued to adopt children who needed homes.

In a January 2023 interview with NewsWest 9, Judge Robnett said that he sees the results of children who grew up without a family in his courtroom every day, and it’s not a good thing.  During the same interview, Dila said that after the couple adopted their first child, God led them to adopt more.  Some of their adopted children are biological siblings, and the Robnetts said that they felt compelled to keep brothers and sisters together.

So, there are currently 13 people living in the two-story house along with four dogs and two cats.  

“It never seemed odd to me,” 19-year-old Oliver said.  “When people find out I have 13 brothers and sisters and they start asking me questions, I realize that it probably is a little strange.  We all have our assigned responsibilities and take turns helping around the house.  For example, I don’t make 11 sandwiches every night for the next day; we have a ‘sandwich-making’ schedule.”  

Oliver is a 2023 graduate of Midland High School and graduated in the top 10 percent of his class.  He is currently in his second year at Midland College pursuing a business degree. 

“I chose Business because I like math and want a degree that encompasses a broad range of career possibilities,” he said.  “There’s a lot a person can do with a degree in business.”

In fact, Oliver’s reasoning is backed by statistics.  According to a recent Job Outlook Survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, eight out of the top ten degrees in-demand with employers right now are under the business umbrella. These degrees include finance and accounting, marketing, business management and more.

While Oliver isn’t sure exactly what specific business discipline he would like to consider, he is certain that he wants to stay in the area and complete a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree at the University of Texas Permian Basin or remain at Midland College and work toward a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Organizational Management.  He is currently attending Midland College through financial assistance from donor-directed scholarships and is on track to graduate with an associate degree this coming May.

“Right now, I’m leaning toward going into public service after I get a bachelor’s degree,” Oliver said.   “I’ve lived in Midland most of my life and want to do something where I can be of service to the community.”

In his spare time, Oliver enjoys playing the guitar and the bass guitar.  He said that he wants to learn to play the keyboard and hopes to be able to take a music theory class as an elective while he is at Midland College.  Other favorite pastimes are doing yard work, especially tending to his garden, playing video games and just being with his family, which he said is a good thing because there’s not much chance for being alone in the house!