Tarleton State University has a vision of becoming the premier comprehensive university in the nation, with a keen focus on student success, teaching, and research. In order to reach this goal they are constantly pushing to better the University. Tarleton has many new projects that will help further our academic programs and better life on campus.
Event Center
Tarleton State is currently constructing a new event center. It will be a two-story multipurpose arena that will sport NCAA Division I basketball facilities and room for academic convocations, symposiums, conferences and conventions. Additionally, the event center will include custom locker rooms, an integrated nutrition center, and a sports medicine suite. The new event center will seat nearly 10,000 for concerts and up to 8,000 for basketball games. Not only will this event center benefit Tarleton, but it will have a large impact on the community of Stephenville as a whole. This will provide a space for college, community, and regional events.
Research and Economic Development Building
Tarleton State is building a $7 million dollar research and economic development building at U.S. Highway 281 and East Lingleville Road. This is apart of the university’s efforts to reach R1 status, accelerate sponsored research, and strengthen regional partnerships. Tarleton will share this facility with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
New Residence Hall and Expanding Dick Smith Library
The planning for the new $120 million dollar residence hall is moving into the design phase. Tarleton has a goal of starting construction in 2025. This residence hall will feature multiple different styles of rooms with approximately 1,000 beds. Once completed Tarleton will have 12 on-campus housing options available to students. The university has also developed a plan to add 3,000 additional beds in the coming years.
Later this spring, construction of the Dick Smith Library expansion will begin. This will add about 10,000 square feet to the library. This new space will be accesible 24/7 and is dedicated to student use, individual study rooms, collaborative study rooms, instructional space, meeting rooms, and a multipurpose space.
Health Professions Building
Scheduled to be finished in the summer of 2024, Tarleton’s new Health Professions building will help further the educational opportunities here at Tarleton. This building will help establish the university as a leader of rural healthcare throughout Texas. This building is especially important because nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population calls rural communities home, with these areas facing significant shortages of physicians and specialists. In Stephenville, the patient-physician ratio is 1,779 to 1. By having this program right here in Stephenville, Tarleton can get more health professions majors trained on how to work in rural areas. Then students can go out and serve these communities; helping to better healthcare around the U.S.
Parking Garage
Tarleton is building its first parking garage at North Saint Felix and West Washington Street. This will add 600 new parking spaces for students and staff. It will also help visitor parking for events.
Expanding the Tarleton campus is pivotal in embodying our mission statement: “Tarleton State University, a founding member of the Texas A&M University System, transforms generations by inspiring discovery, leadership, and service through educational excellence.” By investing in our campus expansion, Tarleton ensures a foundation for preparing the next generation of leaders and fulfilling our commitment to educational excellence.