First in a series on the food, fuel and fiber triangle of Texas.
My thoughts in the coming weeks will consider two important triangles in Texas: The “Food, Fuel and Fiber Triangle” defined by Amarillo, San Angelo and El Paso, in contrast with the “Texas Triangle” defined by DFW, Houston and San Antonio. Kinder Institute for Urban Research claims the Texas Triangle differs from any other megaregion in the nation. They are correct because it is Texas-driven. Both triangles contribute significantly but differently to our state. This reality impacts WT because it impacts our home.
On January 4, 2025, I published a reflection entitled “The Two-State Challenge.” I made the following observation in it: “Like other populous states, Texas has a metropolitan population of approximately 68% in the Texas Triangle, the fastest-growing region in Texas and the United States. The triangle is also home to five of the 20 largest cities in the nation. DFW, San Antonio and Houston are the three points of the Texas Triangle. A unique contrast to these other large states is Florida, where the 2020 Census accounts for 97% of Florida’s population in metropolitan areas, typically hugging the coast. Texas stands out as the only state with population concentrations away from water, Houston excepted. It is also special in that it leads the nation in the production of food, fuel and fiber.”
Why would a university president of a regional institution, like West Texas A&M University, in the Panhandle of Texas be concerned about Texas geography, economics and social issues? The interest stems from the simple “think global, act local” axiom. The phrase is most commonly attributed to Patrick Geddes (1854–1932), a Scottish biologist, sociologist and urban planner. Initially trained in biology, Geddes later transitioned into sociology and urban planning. He was a visionary in town planning and advocated for a holistic approach to development. Geddes emphasized that communities and cities should consider their local conditions while recognizing the broader global implications of their actions. And so it should be with a sound regional university, and it is the basis for our vision, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.
Geddes’ interdisciplinary approach led to groundbreaking work in cities and regions, where he believed development decisions should be based on an area’s unique geographical, social and economic characteristics. The idea became an ideology for the green movement in the 1970s: a rallying cry for the “Hippie” movement. Properly, Forbes was concerned that multi-national corporations squeeze global ideas into local markets. In this context, the mission and vision of local entities might subjugate to a global perspective if the locale is not considered, according to Harvard Business Review. Fortunately, thoughtful local action can spawn global value.
Serving those closest first eventually yields high value in other similar geographical contexts. When focused locally, all enterprises, no matter their purpose or mission, produce something of value for the greater good, not in spite of their focus on locale but because of it, posits Manish Chapla of KeyPoint Technologies. The idea applies to any enterprise in any setting but is often seen as limiting, small-minded or myopic. “Heartland” and “flyover country” may be considered complements or criticisms depending on perspective, reports National Geographic. Regionalism is expansive rather than limiting when it promotes collaboration, drives economic growth and creates citizen engagement. Economic integration of regionally driven enterprises forms mutually supportive economic and social partnerships, leading to increased economic growth and broader accessibility. This is the strength and demarcation of the Texas Food, Fuel and Fiber Triangle. A greater understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures within and beyond a region follows. The economy of Texas becomes more robust through diverse regional contributions. Valuing distinctiveness and creating value for various state enterprises is the guiding principle for West Texas A&M University.
Times Higher Education reports that the forces at work in the environment cause all universities to be seen as the same. Accreditation standards and global and national ranking systems promote sameness, not distinctiveness. Competition for students, research funding and partnerships, innovation, interdisciplinary research and career readiness are attractive to students and donors alike and drive sought-after similarity rather than uniqueness. Government and private funding agencies prioritize similar themes in shaping university strategies. Universities align their goals with job market demands, emphasizing entrepreneurship, leadership and interdisciplinary learning. For WT, this means serving locally first. Universities want prestige and relevance and, therefore, model their goals after leading institutions by adopting the “best practices” in education, research and community engagement from other institutions. However, such practices often undermine the institutional distinctiveness required to successfully serve a particular region with economic opportunities and workforce needs. The best universities sometimes swim against the tide to emphasize their unique contributions.
WT will not try to mimic any national research university. It is a fool’s errand. Such efforts stretch resources thinly and lead to unsustainable initiatives. WT will proudly embrace our role as a strong regional institution rather than trying to be something we are not. In so doing, WT will serve the economically valuable, socially responsible characteristics of Texas’ Food, Fuel and Fiber Triangle by emphasizing the contributions of our region.
At WT, we will focus on our region first, benefiting our residents and contributing to Texas’ future.
Walter V. Wendler, President of West Texas A&M University. His weekly columns, with hyperlinks, are available at https://walterwendler.com/.
