NC State: Home of the Wolfpack and Religious Tolerance

I have two religions. The first is being a Wolfpack fan. From the red streaks in my hair to the stickers on the back of my car, I am a true member of the Wolfpack through and through. Then there’s my other religion. I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, aka, Mormon. From the way I dress to the way I speak to what I eat and drink, I’m a Mormon through and through.

I love being Mormon, for the record. I love the poorly concealed surprise that crosses people’s faces when they find out I’m Mormon. I love the confusion I cause when I explain that I can’t drink coffee. I love the weird questions I get, from, “Do you have any sister wives?” to “Are you allowed to watch TV?” There aren’t very many of us Mormons on campus, but I never feel like the odd one out. Every once in a while, someone says something a little hurtful, but it’s not common and it never gets me down for long. That’s the thing about NC State – the second you start feeling like you’re “different” than everybody else, you’ll meet someone who reminds you that EVERYONE is different than everybody else! I guess that’s what brings us together.

Although I’m Mormon, I have friends here from every different religious background. One of my best friends is Jewish. Another one is Presbyterian. One of them is a staunch atheist. I went to the Muslim Student Association meeting last week just because I really like all the Muslims I’ve met on campus. Then, of course, I meet with all the other Mormon students on Wednesday night to study the scriptures, pray, sing, eat and have a really great time and I go to church with all of them on Sunday.

What I’m saying is that the Wolfpack is one big family. There is no division – ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, race, political ideology – that we can’t bridge through acceptance and some good old-fashioned Wolfpack pride. I’m proud to be a member of the Wolfpack and the diversity in the Wolfpack makes me proud to be a Mormon.

This is the LDS Institute building just off of campus.