Appalachian Region: Relation to Ohio University

The white region signifies Appalachian area. 
The yellow star shows where Athens, Ohio is located. 
Athens is the town that Ohio University resides in. (Appalachia)

Living at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio teaches students about more than just their intended career.  One thing that makes Ohio University unique is its surrounding Appalachian area.  The Appalachian area covers a large part of the eastern United States.  However, many living here are not from Appalachian hometowns and do receive exposure to the culture until they come here.  By living at the University, we were curious to see how much students really learned after at least one year in Athens.  To figure this out, we selected three students who come from different geographic areas and backgrounds.

Justin McCauley

Freshman

Pittsburgh, PA

Are you Appalachian?

“No. Well kind of, only because there are mountains where I live.”

When you hear Appalachia, what do you think of?

“Mountains.”

Do you think Athens Ohio is in Appalachia?

“Yes, I do think it is in Appalachia because there are mountains here.”

Do you see any influence of Appalachian within Ohio University?

“There’s an influence because there is a lot of hills and we have a laid back atmosphere.”

Should the University connect more with the Appalachian culture?

“Sure, Appalachian culture is a part of their heritage and I think it is important to know where you are from and be proud of it.”

James Cain

Sophomore

Columbus, OH

Are you Appalachian?

“No.”

When you hear Appalachia, what do you think of?

“Well for one, poor, rural areas. But then there is mountain men, hillbillies up in the holler, banjoes, moonshine, and bluegrass music, you know stuff like that.”

Do you think Athens Ohio is in Appalachia?

“ Yeah, it’s definitely in Appalachia, not in the mountains but down in the foothills. You can tell when you look around because of the lack of diversity compared to where I live.”

Do you see any influence of Appalachian culture within Ohio University?

“Community recovery programs here at OU help the surrounding area. Also I know the biology department has conservation programs. There is a ton of folk and bluegrass bands playing at university venues.”

Should the University connect more with the Appalachian culture?

“To a degree- I mean they could offer classes or seminars about Appalachian history, but as far as connecting to the culture, doing so is not conducive to a scholarly path for students here. Their work, 8-10 hours work days for forty years, is the exact opposite of what we are gong to school for.”

Alyssa Chiarappa

Freshman

Akron, OH

Are you Appalachian?

“No.”

When you hear Appalachia, what do you think of?

“Mountainous region that is underprivileged.”

Do you think Athens Ohio is in Appalachia?

“Yes, because Athens is poor and I really didn’t know anything Appalachia until I came here.”

Do you see any influence of Appalachian within Ohio University?

“Yeah, I do see the influence. I have classmates and teachers that are Appalachian and I see townspeople when I go uptown.”

Should the University connect more with the Appalachian culture?

“Yes, I think that they should because those who live in Appalachia have very few neighbors, and I think that if they connected more with the university they would have a better sense of community.”

After these interviews, we concluded that students have different outlooks on what Appalachia really is.  Some only know basics and feel the University is not truly connected, while others feel a much a stronger connection.  It is interesting to note that while Justin is from an Appalachian hometown, he does not consider himself Appalachian.  While James recognizes the influence of Appalachian culture within the University and the unique characteristics of Appalachian citizens, he strongly emphasized the stereotype that they must face.  Meanwhile, Alyssa fails to see beyond the poor, mountainous description to recognize the strong family values and communities within the region.  It is likely that students throughout campus would respond similarly to one of these three people. 

So what is true about Appalachia?  

The Appalachian region includes twelve states: West Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.  It is important to recognize that this region falls along the Appalachian Mountains.  Much of its industry has been reliant on  mining, forestry, agriculture, chemical industries.  Recently, service industries and manufacturing are important to the region's economy.  One consistent expectation of Appalachia is its poor economy.  This is one belief held by the students that definitely holds true, as can be seen by the map located below. (The Appalachian Region)

  

Even with facts and opinions from others, only those living in true Appalachian culture can tell us how they live and what they are all about.  As of now, many opinions are simply based on limited facts or assumptions.  Perhaps this suggests that we do need a much stronger connection with the Appalachian culture within the University.  In doing so, we can form strong, true opinions of the Appalachian people.

 - Alexis Johns & Logan Trautman

 Works Cited

"Appalachia." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 22 May 2012. Web. 22 May 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachia>.

"The Appalachian Region." Appalachian Regional Commission. Web. 22 May 2012.

            <http://www.arc.gov/appalachian_region/TheAppalachianRegion.asp>.