College Spotlight

LocationTarleton is located 305 miles (5 hours) north of

Humble/Kingwood in Stephenville, TX.

Namesake: John Tarleton (1808-1895)

Born in Vermont After moving around quite a bit (he was orphaned

at a young age), he purchased cheap unsettled land in Texas and decided to move there.

He lived in different parts of Texas, owned a mercantile, and tried cattle ranching.

He died of typhoid fever at his home on November 16, 1895, leaving his money to establish a college.

Mascot and Colors Purple and White “Texans & TexAnns”

Texan Rider ~ Check out the vest and chaps!

Academics – Many choices! Agricultural and Consumer

Sciences Animal Science and Wildlife

Management Environmental and Agricultural

Management College of Business

Administration Accounting, Finance, and

Economics Computer Information Systems Management, Marketing and

Administrative Systems College of Education Curriculum and Instruction Educational Leadership and

Policy Studies Kinesiology

Psychology and Counseling College of Liberal and Fine Arts Communication Studies English and Languages Fine Arts Social Sciences Social Work, Sociology and

Criminal Justice College of Science and

Technology Biological Sciences Chemistry, Geosciences, and

Environmental Science Engineering and Physics Engineering Technology Mathematics Nursing

Hand Signal It’s kind of like

the “Guns Up” of Texas Tech, but with a double-barreled gun (two fingers up.)

Is supposed to look like the state of Texas.

Oscar P. was John Tarleton’s pet duck. Oscar P. went everywhere with John Tarleton. It is rumored that Oscar P. is buried

somewhere on campus, which is why students are not allowed to walk on the grass.

TTS/TTP

Formed long ago, the Ten Tarleton Peppers (TTP) and Ten Tarleton Sisters (TTS) are the two oldest organizations on campus.

The identity of the members were kept a secret until their senior year when they were revealed in the yearbooks.

Purple Poo: A secret organization which promotes school spirit. In the1960s, the TTP and the TTS combined and became

“The Purple Poo.” They only allow twenty members: ten guys and ten girls. The members keep their identities secret by wearing

masks and disguising their voices. Graduating members of the Purple Poo give the president a

small purple pig when shaking his hand during graduation.

Purple Poo

In 1984, a group of students established a spirit group named “Plowboys.”

The Plowboys attend athletic events and other activities.

They wear white shirts, hats, and purple chaps.

Beating the drum One of the best-known

Tarleton traditions is “beating the drum.”

Begins Tuesday night of homecoming week and lasts 24 hours a day until the beginning of the football game on Saturday.

Groups of students take turns pounding on a 55-gallon oil drum (not an actual musical instrument) with sticks or clubs.

This tradition began in the 1920s as a way to defend the bonfire from being lit early by rivals.

Texan Stars – Dance Team•For over 25 years the Texan Stars Dance Team has been an important part of Tarleton State University.•They perform at halftimes of all Tarleton home games and at pep rallies.•They have won many awards.

Alumni you might know

Amber Lockhart Angela Munchrath Emily Norris Jamie Ricketts & Roger Ricketts (Who was

a member of Purple Poo!) Lisa & Howard Sprague Staci & Matt Meade Charlotte Mahler & Stan Mahler, and

son Matthew Marsha & Larry Richardson, and

daughter Leah Susan McElroy Megan Jeske Carmen Neal

Tarleton fans:want pretty computer wallpaper?

Click here for downloadable images!

Sources http://www.tshaonline.org - Texas State

Historical Association Tarleton.edu Wikipedia

Freshman Graduation Ceremony