The buzz surrounding recent scandals involving Greek Life at North Carolina State University has most definitely taken a huge toll on the community as whole. It has recently come to my attention that the only news that seems to travel and surface on national news sites and channels is nothing but negative. However, there are so many positive events and aspects within and around the University that not only deserve to be recognized, but make North Carolina State University a school that I am not only proud, but honored to be apart of.
Being a part of the WolfPack is much more than people think. It is a place that I currently and will always call home. Here at NC State, we are much more than just a university. We are a community, a family, and a support system. We are die-hard fans who will always have each others backs. I don't know if anyone realizes it, but the Bell Tower is always glowing red when we win a big game. I can tell you that not many other college communities congregate outside a giant tower to show their love for their school after winning a college sporting event, let alone does the coach let the team show up to greet the community afterwards.
Talley Student Center is also a great place that allows students to come together as a community through food, games, and activities. NC State has worked hard to give students the resources to connect with each other through cultural forums and fun pastimes despite the giant size of the university and campus. It also provides us with 100 programs that NC State offers students to major in and more than 400 organizations and clubs to participate in.
When tragedy strikes, the community reacts as one. Even though some students from other schools may say their university does this too, I feel like our community comes together in a special way. The WolfPack isn't only made up of current students, but is a community of alumni, families, and fans in the surrounding areas. On Fridays, WolfPack students and even teachers show their school pride by wearing red, which is something you rarely see on other campuses. There are even beautiful locations on campus that allow students to come together for recreational purposes. These places include Lake Raleigh on Centennial Campus, The Court of Carolina's, The Brickyard, and several others.
This is a type of community people should be proud of and happy to represent, not one that only focuses on the few negative aspects that may happen erupt on campus. In my mind, what the law of the jungle states definitely rings true: “For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack".
