STEPHENVILLE, Texas — More than 1,500 Texans braved the wet weather Saturday, March 7, to pitch in on an array of community projects during the annual Tarleton Round Up.
Tarleton Round Up is the largest yearly day of service organized by Tarleton State University students. The campus-wide initiative organizes students, faculty, staff and community members to volunteer throughout Stephenville and the surrounding area.
Students representing groups across the university including clubs, professional organizations, fraternities and sports teams, as well as self-formed independent crews, worked at over 135 job sites helping residents and community organizations. Tasks ranged from painting, organizing and cleaning to trimming trees, hauling off brush, raking leaves and various other projects.
“Despite the rainy weather we were able to have a successful 2026 Tarleton Round Up,” said Ericka Key, Assistant Director of Campus Life and Family Engagement. “Students came out and served through the rain.”
Organizing and carrying out this year’s operation was a team of 43 student leaders who went through an application and interview process to be a part of the planning group. Potential projects were submitted and evaluated before the final list of service areas was determined, said Kallie McCall, 2026 student director of the Tarleton Round Up.
McCall said for her, the most rewarding part of Tarleton Round Up is watching students step up to serve the community that supports Tarleton State.
“Round Up represents the heart of the university, students coming together to serve something bigger than themselves, making a lasting impact on the Stephenville area,” she said. “It’s more than a day of service; it’s a tradition that shows what our students can accomplish when we come together to serve our community.”
Victoria Niemeier, Assistant Director of Volunteer Recruitment, said despite the weather, student volunteers showed up ready to serve, support one another and make a positive impact.
“Our leadership team also demonstrated outstanding adaptability, working together to adjust when needed and ensure the event remained successful and memorable for everyone involved,” Niemeier said. “Moments like this remind us that Round Up is about building connections, strengthening our community, and creating a lasting impact through service.”
Dior Granados, Assistant Director of Outreach, commended volunteers and leadership for their flexability and perseverance in adverse conditions.
“Round Up is my favorite day of the year. Despite how challenging the day can be, it is always incredibly rewarding to see our students come together, watch our team grow closer, and serve the Stephenville community. Seeing how much we are able to help reminds me why this event is so meaningful. Round Up this year truly showed that our students are committed and passionate about service.”
For more information about Round Up and how to get involved in the future, email roundup@tarleton.edu.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of more than 21,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For over 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.