In this powerful third entry in our Past Institutes Recollection series, we go all the way back to the beginning — the very first National Institute on Social Work in Rural Areas, held July 13–14, 1975, at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
Dr. Stephen Webster, host of the inaugural event, joins Sam Hickman to reflect on the founding vision, grassroots spirit, and enduring legacy of that landmark gathering. With a theme of “Social Work in Rural Areas: Preparation and Practice,” the conference planted the seeds of what would become the National Rural Social Work Caucus — and helped define rural social work as its own vital, interdisciplinary field.
From ghost stories and Appalachian music to strip mine protests and cultural preservation, Dr. Webster shares how the conference aimed to shake up the profession, center real-world practice, and foster authentic human connection.
🎬 Don’t miss this heartfelt and historical look at how it all began — and why the rural social work movement still matters today.