Tradition richness : a theory of campus traditions and culture.

Campus traditions are a common feature on college and university campuses across the United States; however, there is little literature examining these cultural features. Though there seems to a skepticism around traditions, Christian colleges and universities offer a positive vision for what campus traditions can be. Operating from the premises that deep-seated habits are spiritually formative and that traditions—when done well—function as liturgies of celebration, it is important to understand how traditions relate to campus culture in order for Christian institutions to engage student in such formation. As such, this study sought to describe the nature and intensity of the relationship between tradition and culture by presenting an interdisciplinary theory of tradition richness, approaching traditions as a form of interaction ritual. This theory is then clarified through a collective case study of five governing members of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. The findings from this study reiterated existent literature on campus traditions and rituals but adds clarification and expansion on elements to the theory presented. The study points to the importance of structural elements for traditions to exist in abundance on a campus and functional elements that allow traditions to permeate the culture and perpetuate so as to in turn structure culture. Further clarification is also presented on the networks of memories and symbols resultant from traditions that are connected to emotional energy and group unity and identity, which can exist at multiple functional levels of a campus community and so structure life and culture.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Smith, Austin T. (Austin Taylor), 1993-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Glanzer, Perry L. (Perry Lynn)

• Ritual.
• Faith-based higher education.
• Campus life.
• Spiritual formation.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/13948

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/13948