Name: Ian Shank
Age: 20
Hometown: Tampa, FL
High school: Heritage High School
Major: English
Expected graduation date: May 2023
Why did you choose Dalton State? I chose Dalton State for its affordable, quality education and its close proximity to where I live.
What does it mean to you to be part of the Roadrunner Nation? To be a part of Roadrunner Nation means to always be willing to help yourself and others succeed in life, academics and professionally.
What do you plan to do after graduation? I want to go to UTC and get a master’s degree in English so I can become a professor.
Who is/was your favorite professor and why? My notable mentions include Dr. Lydia Postell, Dr. Kerri Allen, Dr. Callie Hornbuckle and Professor Jacqueline Boals. But can we please take a moment to recognize THE one and only Dr. Cicero Bruce. This is my third semester I have been in one of his classes. He is, unquestionably, one of the great scholars of literature. His lectures foster an environment that produces intellectually stimulating conversations. He has led many to develop a love of literature and poetry. Because of him I can actually scan lines of poetry to determine their meter.
What activities are you involved in on campus? I am involved in the Peer Education department here on campus. I am the tutee support coordinator which means I handle any situation regarding TutorOcean which is the online platform Dalton State uses for one-on-one tutoring.
Where is your favorite study spot? If no one is in there I prefer to go into one of the tutoring rooms and just do my homework there. If people are working then I would prefer to go into Gignilliat Hall and study there.
Where is your favorite hangout? In the Spring semester, my friends and I took a liking to hanging out in Lorberbaum Hall before our class.
What is the last book you read? Does watching the movie version of Gone Girl count? If not, I did read Otessa Moshfegh’s Eileen. It was very weird. Good? Yes. But strange, nonetheless.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? “Stronger” by Kanye West
Favorite line from a movie? “I’m so embarrassed. I’m not a real person yet.” – Frances Ha, Frances Ha
If you won the lottery, what would you do? Depends, how much money are we talking? I’d probably go all out and get something really fancy. Like something not on the Taco Bell dollar menu.
What cheers you up? What cheers me up is being able to call my coworkers also some of my closest friends. Anytime I can see them; it always leaves me with a smile on my face.
What is your favorite book? My favorite book is easily the first part of The Divine Comedy by Dante Aligheri: Inferno
Who would play you in the movie version of your life? I had to take a Buzzfeed quiz as part of a team building exercise and it determined Emma Watson would narrate my life. As for who would play me, I think Rob McElhenney would be really good.
If you could go back in history, who would you like to meet? Britney Spears; but right after she released her hit song “…Baby One More Time.” That would be a unique experience.
Where is your favorite place to eat? Sweet Basil; it’s this little place in Chattanooga. It’s Thai and sushi, and I’ve never had better shrimp fried rice.
What did you want to be when you were a kid? A stand-up comedian. But apparently there can only be one short comedian and I don’t want to put Kevin Hart out of a job.
As a Roadrunner, what does it mean to Run Boldly? To Run Boldly means to not be afraid of any challenge and be willing to overcome any obstacle. It also means to be willing to grow academically and professionally.