Tarleton commemorates 125 years of success

BY HAELEY CARPENTER / Managing Editor

Tarleton State University commemorated 125 years with a ceremony and celebration on Sept. 3, 2024. The ceremony was held in Wisdom Gym, a historical and traditional building for the university.

2024-2025 Student Body President Gabriel Day and 1978-1979 Student Body President Nancy Golden Turley gave invocations of the past, present and future before a video remembering and honoring John Tarleton and how far the university has come was played.

Dr. Credence Baker, Chief of Staff and 125th Celebration Chairman, opened up by welcoming faculty, staff, students and guests before introducing current University President Dr. James Hurley to the podium.

Hurley of course comments on the past and what they are doing to uphold the history and traditions John Tarleton has set.

“With the many changes that have occurred, one characteristic has remained constant: our keen focus and commitment to ensuring students' success,” Hurley said. “Providing an outstanding student experience has been and continues to be the cornerstone of this university.”

Hurley announced a new campaign that will benefit the students for the future.

“This year marks the public launch of our next comprehensive capital campaign titled ‘Always Texan,’” Hurley said. “Through this campaign we will raise $250 million by the year 2030 to ensure we are fulfilling the mission of our founder to provide access, opportunity and affordability to all students.”

Other remarks included speeches from Texas A&M University Board of Regents Chairman Bill Mahomes, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, Congressman Roger Williams, Senator Brian Birdwell, Representative DeWayne Burns and Mayor of Stephenville Doug Svien.

Each speaker shared their personal history with Tarleton and how proud they were of the past 125 years of accomplishments and how the next 125 are going to be even better.

“The words of Tarleton State’s fight song ‘ever forward, ever onward’ were never truer than now,” Mahomes said.

John Sharp looks back at the last ten years, specifically all that the current board and Dr. Hurley has done while in office and shares plans for the future.

“For 2025 alone, the board has already approved another $172 million of construction projects for Tarleton State University,” Sharp said.

In all, Sharp proudly boasts Tarleton.

“There is no institution of higher education in the state of Texas that has transformed and grown and shined better than Tarleton State University,” Sharp said.

The Tarleton Choir and Wind Ensemble played throughout the ceremony, the choir even debuting a brand new song entitled Steward of Fire just for the celebration.

After the ceremony, everyone moved to the Barry B. Thompson Student Center for blow up carnival activities, free food and games.