Every time I talk to someone new, whether they're my age or older, we usually get on the topic of schooling. Naturally, when they ask me where I attend, I say 'West Virginia University' with pride, but whoever I'm talking to more than likely looks appalled. "You go to a party school? Doesn't everyone just drink all day and cause destruction? Do you even have good teachers in West Virginia?" I get that my school has a bad reputation, but let's just get a few things straight about us Mountaineers.
1. We're not hillbillies/rednecks.
Yes, we are in West Virginia, so there is a country background to most of us. It's not uncommon to see a guy or girl walking around campus in camo and boots, or a bunch of jacked up trucks driving through downtown. However, a lot of our student body isn't from West Virginia. I have plenty of friends that are from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, and other surrounding states. Does going to WVU make them rednecks too? The biggest stereotype we have at WVU is frat boys, not rednecks.
2. We have some amazing professors.
"No one who knows anything would want to work in West Virginia. Everyone is stupid." This could not be farther from the truth. A bunch of the teachers and staff at WVU are some of the smartest and kindest people I have met. I've had a Sociology professor who used to be a lawyer, and does her own research experiments to teach the class. In the media department, we have Eric Minor, who was a news anchor at News9 for 16 years before coming to WVU to teach. Say what you want about our staff, but they all care a tremendous amount about their students.
3. We're not a bunch of drunks setting things on fire.
Contrary to popular belief, only around 30% of the student body regularly parties. Yeah, that's still pretty high, but it's not nearly as much as people think. Yes, we like to go out and party, and one of our age-old traditions is to burn a couch; but that doesn't mean nobody at WVU cares about their schooling. When I first came to WVU, I thought you had to party all the time. After a month down in Morgantown, I realized that it's no big deal whether you go out and party or if you stay in with friends; the people you surround yourself with will love you no matter what you choose to do.
So what have we learned today, students? Next time someone tells you they are a proud Mountaineer, don't bash them by saying they are stupid, a drunk, or a hillbilly. West Virginia University is full of amazing professors and students, and I wouldn't be half the person I am today if it wasn't for the experiences I've had and the friends I've made along the way in the beautiful city of Morgantown, West Virginia.
