Creating and sustaining a rural culture

Ninth in a series on rural universities.

Geography and culture in small communities play essential roles in shaping various traditions, practices and ways of life, according to Spatial Post. While culture seems to exist independently of place in some areas, it is not the case in smaller rural communities. Therefore, rural universities have a responsibility to help create and sustain a positive and productive rural culture. Access to natural resources has a critical impact on culture. Water, fertile soil, minerals and available sunlight are tied to geography and shape culture. The traditions and ways of life that define day-to-day existence are deeply dependent on locally available resources.

In some regions, isolation and connectivity are vital in shaping regional culture. In remote agricultural oil and gas-rich regions, limited interaction with more densely populated areas gives special impetus to how culture is defined locally. It even allows for the pervasive impact of digital communications and all it brings; digital power cannot and will not overtake geography as a force affecting everyday life. Thomas L. Friedman, author of The World Is Flat, argued that globalization was enhanced, in part and to the benefit of all, by digital communication. While the force is inarguable, the question remains unanswered as to whether or not globalization and its ensuing economic and social impacts benefit all. Steve Melluish argues that globalization leads to cultural homogenization. Local, regional, state and national sovereignty still has pervasive cultural effects which cannot be overlooked but are often undervalued. Rural universities are obligated to the public they serve to heighten and understand local values and their impact on every aspect of local life, including enterprise. In the Texas Panhandle, that means producing food, fuel and fiber.

Rural universities play a significant role in explicating, supporting and sustaining rural culture. Curricula focused on local history, tradition and cultural studies can help students understand and appreciate their values better. Too frequently, students and faculty from major metropolitan areas view rural cultures as quaint. Rural institutions should embed themselves in local communities. At West Texas A&M University, to engage the constellation of small communities doting the Panhandle, the Sybil B. Harrington College of Humanities and Fine Arts conducts programs entitled Showcase in a Suitcase. These programs bring students and faculty to the smaller communities and engage in various forms of enrichment.