Crystal Thompson, Guest Columnist

(Editor's note: the following article is another in a series of stories submitted to The Appalachian by the University's Equity office.)

When I first arrived at Appalachian, I found a lot of diversity here, which was really great because my hometown of Denver, N.C., is less diverse.  At home, I felt set apart from everyone around me because I was willing to learn about other cultures.

I was raised to judge people by the way they treat me, not the color of their skin.  If someone hasn't been exposed to different cultures or races, then talking to someone open, like me, might give them an idea of what it's like to be different.  If they know they're not the only ones who feel different, then it might be easier for them to open up to other people.

People at Appalachian are trying to get to know me rather than pass judgment.  I haven't experienced racism, but that does not make me ignorant of the fact that it exists.  I just ignore it.  I don't make race a big part of who I am.

When I told my mother and sister that I was going to Appalachian, they told me that there weren't many blacks at the school.  I replied, "So what? I didn't choose a college based on the number of blacks attending.  I based my choice on how I liked the college."

I have met a few freshmen who made their choice about school like I did.  The weather, education, the distance from home and friendly faces around campus all influenced our decisions.

Good educational programs seemed to be the most important reason for students like Sherry Boyer, who said she chose Appalachian because "the biology program is good" and she received scholarships.  Kasie Howie, Erika Williams and Amy Wilson liked the overall program of study, while Leah Johnson said Appalachian "has the best criminal justice major."

Other students like Aquilla Maddox,  Williams and Michael Lee agree that the weather played a big part in choosing Appalachian.  But Boyer, Scott Lent, Johnson, Howie and Wilson say that Boone's friendly atmosphere was more important to them.

Both Howie and I believe that no other school is as friendly as Appalachian.  Many freshmen like us came here to meet new people.  "A large amount of my senior class attends here, but I still get to meet new people," said Maddox, who graduated from Myers Park High School in Charlotte.

Howie likes meeting new people and seeing former classmates.  "There are some people here from East Lincoln [High School] and that gives me some familiar faces to look at," said Howie, who is also from Denver, NC.

Both Lee and Lent like Appalachian sports and outdoor activties.  "They have a good baseball team," said Lee, "and I like skiing."

Distance from home is no problem for most of these freshmen.  Several of them talked about Appalachian being far enough away from home to claim responsibilities, but close enough to go home when desired.

 It was very reassuring when I found that I was not the only one who could care less about race when it comes to education.  Many freshmen, like me, see Appalachian for the school that it is: a diverse and good educational college.
 

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