038 Dave by the Bell: Why Choose App State?

University Communications' resident goofy goober, Dave Blanks, and UComm intern Alyssa "The Juggernaut" Rodriguez interview students on Sanford Mall to find out why they chose to attend Appalachian State University.

  Transcript

Dave Blanks: Hi, Alyssa!

Alyssa R.: Hi!

Dave Blanks: Hey folks, my name is Dave Blanks, and this is Dave by the Bell, and we are — Yes! Alyssa's excited ... Alyssa our intern. On this edition of Dave by the Bell, we're going to ask people why they came to Appalachian State University. Why did you come to Appalachian State University, Alyssa?

Alyssa R.: OK, so it was my senior year of high school, I was applying to colleges, and I got this email from App State, and it was like, "Hey, we'll waive your application fee if you apply," and I was like, "Wow, that's cool. Like, I'm broke. I'm totally going to apply". So I applied, but I didn't really know anything about App State. So I started researching.

Dave Blanks: Because you're from the coast.

Alyssa R.: Yeah. Then I started researching, and I visited App's campus and I just loved it, even though it was so far.

Dave Blanks: Was your family sad that you were going so far?

Alyssa R.: I think they were sad, but they were also really happy for me too.

Dave Blanks: I'm happy for you. I'm happy you're here.

Alyssa R.: I am too.

Dave Blanks: I'm happy all the students are here. Let's go talk to some of them, because we're ...

Alyssa R.: At the bell.

Dave Blanks: By the bell.

Alyssa R.: The bell.

Dave Blanks: Alright, so Alyssa, we're actually doing something different with this Dave by the Bell because we're taking over the Snapchat with this Dave by the Bell. So you're actually snapping as we're doing this.

Alyssa R.: Yeah, I'm snapping, I'm also taking pictures, too. I'm trying to be on my A-game.

Dave Blanks: A-game! That could be the name of your podcast, because your name starts with an A.

Alyssa R.: We'll think on it. We'll table that.

Reese Kennedy: I'm Reese Kennedy. Well first it was the location. It's kind of hard to look around and not want to hang out up here. Then, you know, all the people that I met that guided me through and brought me on tours and orientation, they're all great people.

Dave Blanks: So you like the people and obviously the location.

Reese Kennedy: Yeah.

Dave Blanks: So you don't regret your decision to come to App?

Reese Kennedy: Not at all.

Dave Blanks: You think anybody that I'm gonna interview is going say, "Yeah, yeah I regret it"?

Reese Kennedy: No, nobody's going to tell you that.

Dave Blanks: Thanks, Reese, I really appreciate it.

Reese Kennedy: You have a good one.

Dave Blanks: You too.

McBarret Good: I'm McBarret Good. I wanted to study Russian history, and they have a Russian language program, too, or we have a Russian language program.

Dave Blanks: Right. Now part of it. So it's we.

McBarret Good: Yeah, so I got to do both. I got to study under ... my thesis adviser is actually a Georgian refugee from the Soviet Union. Awesome connection there. My Russian professor grew up outside of Moscow, so I'm just getting a great education from both sides, language and history.

Dave Blanks: Awesome!

Annika Merkh: I'm Annika Merkh. The mountains and the beautiful area ... I'm from New Jersey, so it's nothing like this, but it's beautiful here. So, that and academics.

Dave Blanks: What are you studying?

Annika Merkh: Marketing.

Dave Blanks: Oh, OK. So did you consider other options and it was pretty much just how beautiful the area is that brought you here?

Annika Merkh: Yeah, I had other options up north, but this just doesn't compare to any of them. It was an easy pick.

Dave Blanks: Well, thanks. I'm glad you're here, Annika.

Annika Merkh: Yes, thank you.

Dave Blanks: All right, and what is your name?

Markie Khan: My name is Markie Khan.

Dave Blanks: So Markie, do you go to App?

Markie Khan: Yes, I do go to App.

Dave Blanks: So why did you choose to come to Appalachian State?

Markie Khan: App was actually a last choice pick for me. I really wanted to go out west, I thought. I wanted to be colder and I wanted to be in the mountains, but I like wanted to get on the West Coast, and then I looked to run for App. We both ran.

Dave Blanks: Runners! So the running thing brought you too, Annika.

Annika Merkh: Yes.

Markie Khan: I quit last year. I really didn't like App when I first came. It wasn't really where I wanted to be, but I love it. I have fallen in love with the mountains, and I really think about people who have gone to the other schools and I'm like, "What do you do on an afternoon? Like go out on Main Street?" There's no mountains or parkway, and the sun and snowboarding.