Old traditions shine bright at Tarleton

BY THOMAS ENGELBERT / Multimedia Journalist

Each fall, Tarleton State University comes alive with the spirit of homecoming. Alumni come home to celebrate the traditions that make Tarleton special with students and faculty.

One of the most popular events is the Lighting of the Smokestack, which marks the official start of Homecoming Week. When the smokestack lights up in purple, it’s a sign that the festivities have begun;  the glowing tower is visible across campus.

The smokestack has a deeper  meaning for many at Tarleton. It represents pride, unity  and a connection to the university’s history.

“The smokestack to me means it’s significant when we kick off homecoming. The smokestack means we’re lighting it up and we sing the beacon out for all the alumni to come home,” Lathes ‘Momma T’ Towns, a well-known figure on campus said.

The event brings people together. Every year, students, alumni and the community gather to watch, remembering every one of the university’s strong traditions. The smokestack is more than just a visual symbol; it’s a way for people to honor Tarleton’s past and celebrate the future.

For many, this event shows Tarleton’s commitment to its traditions. The university values its history and keeps these traditions alive while continuing to grow. The Lighting of the Smokestack is a perfect example of this balance between honoring the past and looking toward the future.

The smokestack lighting also creates a “Tradition. That’s one of the things that I think separates Tarleton from a lot of different spaces. Their emphasis on tradition. That’s just another tradition that celebrates this university’s history and legacy,” said Drew Meyers.

After the smokestack lit up purple, the 2024 homecoming king and queen was announced.

The nominees for king were Andre Archuleta, Ethan Gutierrez, Garrett Jones, Hector Navarrete and Zachary Thompson.

The nominees for queen were Hannah Bradley, Madison Lehman, Aspyn McCord, Lauren Stacy and Morgan Waters.

Now a simple landmark, the smokestack once provided heat, light and power for the buildings in the original 40 acres of campus.

In 1920, it stopped working because long time rival school North Texas Agricultural College flew a plane over it to drop a brick down the middle of it.

While it doesn’t work anymore, it still stands strong and lights up for certain special occasions.

Especially homecoming week.