A second family: student shares perspective on life at Tarleton

BY LINDSEY HUGHES / Multimedia Journalist

Tarleton State University prides itself on student life, culture and a campus that gives students a sense of belonging. They feel very at home on campus: from traditions, people and atmosphere, to professors, classes and student organizations.

Tarleton’s history and traditions are rooted deeply within students from the moment they step foot on the campus. Reminders of the past and tokens of these traditions are scattered around the grounds. From Heritage Park, where the Purple Poo put out their signs every Monday night for students to grab on Tuesday mornings, to the statue of Army Major General James Earl Rudder where students can throw coins at his feet for good luck.

Other historic places around campus include the military memorial cube, the Tarleton time capsule and the original 1922 cannon, as well as various statues and seals around campus.
The statue of John Tarleton and his pet duck Oscar P. stands tall on Alumni Island, a sign of tradition and history.

Student Brittany Roark said that the school traditions are one of her favorite parts about being at Tarleton.

“I love all of the traditions, and all of the events that are on campus. There’s a lot of opportunity to make connections,” Roark said.

Other than tradition, according to students the people and atmosphere on campus are some of the best parts of being a student at Tarleton. The university strives to provide an open and welcoming environment, and it has not gone unnoticed.

Sophomore Kynlie Bogle is one of those students. 

“My favorite part of being a student at Tarleton is the involvement within the community and within the school,” Bogle said. “I feel like everywhere I turn there’s a new event going on and there are so many opportunities for me to be involved on campus.”

Students come from all over the country and world, over 47 states are represented, as well as over 36 foreign countries. People from all walks of life have found a second family at Tarleton. Across campus stand 254 oak trees representing each of the 254 counties in Texas, a longstanding reminder that there is a little reminder of home for its natives. 

The diverse and welcoming student body is just one reason that students choose to make Tarleton home, even students who never originally planned to stay.

Susannah Millerborg is a sophomore who originally planned to continue her education at Texas A&M University, but ultimately chose to stay at Tarleton.

“My favorite part about Tarleton is the diversity. There are all kinds of people here with different hobbies, beliefs and backgrounds, and it is refreshing to see that almost everyone you meet has an open mind and wants to learn about each other’s differences,” Millerborg said.

Tarleton could not have made it to 125 years of excellence without a student body that has genuine passion for the school, the history, the faculty or the campus. Students today are proving that they have an enthusiasm and love for Tarleton that will continue to take the university through another amazing 125.