Tarleton State University is a campus you will fall in love with as soon as you step foot on campus. For me, the first thing I fell in love with was rich with traditions instilled on campus and the beauty. My name is Elizabeth Anders, I am a sophomore Agriculture Services and Development major with a Teaching Certification from Rosenberg, Texas. From the moment I stepped on campus for my student tour, I knew Tarleton State would be my home for the next four years. The small campus size and family atmosphere drew me in. However, the longer I have been on campus, the more I have fallen in love with it.
Being a Texan Rep Tour Guide, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and campus experiences at Tarleton State University with future Texans. It is important to get involved on campus your freshman year. Check out our student organizations here! Being involved on campus allows you to see so many more aspects of Tarleton while making lifelong friendships and memories. While on tour, you will learn more about the traditions behind each of these events. You will also get to see some of our Texans most worthy photo spots on campus. Make sure to bring your camera with you on tour and tell your mom she can take all the pictures!
Here are some of the best spots on campus to snap a picture at:
Heritage Park
Heritage Park is full of many important landmarks and where traditional events happen, like unmasking of the Purple Poo each semester. In Heritage Park, we have the famous rock gates that represent that the gates are always open for past, present and future Texans. Did you even get accepted to Tarleton State if you did not take a picture at the rock gates?
John Tarleton Statue
The statue of our founder, John Tarleton, and his pet duck, Oscar P., serves as a way to honor John T. Oscar P. and John T. walked 952 miles from Tennessee to Texas to establish this agriculture based college. The John T. statue is a fun place to stop and take a picture while you learn about our founder who started this wonderful university.
Ring Statue
You must check out and take a picture with Tarleton’s newest statue, the Ring Statue! On the ring, you will find important parts of Tarleton’s history. For example, on the ring you will have Tarleton’s official seal, along with a tree which resembles that Tarleton has 254 oak trees to represent all the counties in Texas. Along with that, you will also have your graduation year and degree letters. You must take a picture here while on tour so that once you get your class ring, you can show the beginning and the end of your journey at Tarleton State.
Trogdon House
Saving the best for last, the Trogdon House, built in 1923, is found in the middle of campus and is full of Tarleton’s rich history. By taking pictures here you can say you have been to the President of Tarleton’s house! Our current President, Dr. James Hurley, and his family live right in the middle of campus. How cool?! Dr. Hurley hosts many events at the Trogdon house, like midnight s’mores!
Ready to take a tour and snap some selfies here at Tarleton? Check out our tour options here! When you visit, make sure to tag us in your Tarleton photos by using #TarletonBound and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! If you’re lucky on your visit, you may even get a chance to meet the oldest spirit group in Texas, the Purple Poo.