‘Its own separate world’: Roanoke offers local students a haven in their hometown

Sebastian Harlow ‘20 went to Glenvar High School, less than 15 minutes away from Roanoke College. He watched as classmates and friends dreamed of going off to college as far away as they could. 

Harlow, whose mother and sister attended Roanoke, knew it was possible to be on his own while not having to go far away. 

“It’s kind of its own separate world for those that are looking to get away from mom and dad,” Harlow said. “I know people say, ‘I want to get away from mom and dad, so I want to go out of state.’ This is kind of its own atmosphere where you don’t have to worry about that. You’re surrounded by people who aren’t from the area or your hometown, they’re from states away.” 

Lucas Weaver ‘20 was in the same boat. Though he went to high school in Franklin County, he grew up with an in-depth knowledge of Roanoke College. Like Harlow, his mother went to Roanoke as well.  

Weaver initially wanted to go farther away from home, but as he languished on a waiting list for a bigger school, Weaver decided instead to go with the familiarity and comfort of Roanoke College. 

“I can say it’s been the best thing for me. I’m glad that I ended up at Roanoke,” Weaver said. “Even though it’s only been 25, 30 minutes away from home, it doesn’t feel like that. Salem feels like its own special place.”  

Harlow and Weaver aren’t alone in their opinions that the Roanoke campus and surrounding community offer a haven of sorts for local students. Weaver and others described Roanoke as a place where students can create their own experiences. If that means local students want to stay at home and commute, they can do that. If it means spending almost all their time on campus and not going home as much, they can do that. 

Nick Price ‘23, a Northside High School alumnus and a guard on the Maroons basketball team, said it’s great to have friends and family able to come see his home games. He also echoed Weaver’s thoughts that it doesn’t feel like he’s going to school in his backyard. 

“I know the area already but I grew up in Roanoke County, so when I’m in Salem it still feels like I’m in a different place and I never think I’m too close to home,” Price said. “I know some people want to get away from their homes but Roanoke College is a completely different environment as to where I grew up in Roanoke County.” 

Tyler Derrick ‘20 and Kalie Morris ‘22 serve as examples of local students customizing their Roanoke experience. Derrick was intent on living on campus during his time in college, and said it was absolutely the right decision for him. He still sees his family, but only from time to time. 

Morris lives at home and commutes, which she said has given her ultimate flexibility to go back and forth between her college life and her home life. During this spring semester, she said, she was almost constantly on campus between classes, clubs and working as a Maroon Ambassador. But when she wants to enjoy the perks of living at home, she can do that as well. 

“Home-cooked meals are there if I need them,” Morris said. “And I can get away from the whole college environment if I wanted to, so that’s really nice.” 

That flexibility has been key in Roanoke-area students getting the most out of their college experience. More and more students nationwide are looking to stay closer to home for college, according to the Princeton Review, and local students such as Weaver can attest that just even though Roanoke College might be close to home for some, it still feels like its own separate world. 

“You can create your own experience even if you are within the Salem area,” Weaver said. “It’s totally up to you in terms of what you want.”