Warren Wilson often gets a reputation for not being diverse, but that comes from an assumption that “diverse” means “racially diverse.” While we are predominantly white, and this is something that we are attempting to change, the diversity of attitudes, beliefs, backgrounds, and life experiences on campus is phenomenal. Spiritual life opportunities for Orthodox Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Protestants, Quakers, Hindus, Catholics, and everything in between abound, and the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) community is incredibly prominent and active.
Some students who find their way to Wilson have lived on communes and others grew up in Jersey. Some eat only locally grown organic food and some love to drive through McDonald’s. Some go to church every Sunday, fast for Yom Kippur, take walks in the meditation garden, set up shrines, light peace candles, and some don’t believe in God. Some smoke cigarettes and others take vitamins. Some girls don’t shave their armpits or only use Dr. Bronner’s, and others shower at least once a day, shave their legs, buy a box of Tampax every month, and swear by the DivaCup. We hail from 42 states and 12 countries and have travelled everywhere under the sun. We play banjo in Appalachian string band and listen to hip-hop. We carry Prada wallets and go barefoot. We spit fire, drink Coca-Cola, have dance parties, and are Big Brothers and Sisters. Regardless of our musical taste, personal hygiene, and hobbies, we are all drawn to the Swannanoa Valley in the hopes of finding our place in a community that supports and encourages us to be our true selves.