STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Founder’s Week at Tarleton State University will kick off Sunday, April 6, with a Glow Run 5K and Texan Wing Challenge. The festivities then continue throughout a week packed with activities for students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to participate in.
The Founder’s Week tradition began in 1902 as a celebration to remember the birthday of Tarleton State. The annual event is celebrated each spring with a week of activities centered on the university’s spirit and honoring those who have called this campus home.
Silver Taps, a memorial service to remember the Tarleton State students, faculty, staff and alumni who have passed away in the last year, will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8. During this event, candles will be lit and extinguished in tribute to the individuals whose candles were set aflame during convocation.
Another treasured tradition, May Fete, is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, April 11. At this event, students who have applied to compete for the title of Lord and Lady Tarleton will display their school spirit through a series of events, and at the end, the winners will be crowned.
Other notable celebrations during the week are Oscar P’s Birthday bash with a concert featuring 3OH!3, a dedication ceremony for the Ring Statue, several Texan baseball and softball games, and the Purple and White tailgate and game.
The scheduled activities for the week are listed below. Events are in Stephenville unless otherwise indicated:
Sunday, April 6
7:45 p.m. – Glow Run 5K, Campus Recreation Center
9 p.m. – Texan Wing Challenge, Buffalo Wild Wings Patio
Monday, April 7
11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Oscar P’s Birthday Bash, Fort Worth Campus
5:30 p.m. – Cruise the Island, Alumni Island and Military Drive
Tuesday, April 8
10 a.m. – Military Appreciation Brunch, Barry B. Thompson Student Center Ballrooms
11 a.m. – SAAM T-shirt Tabling, Barry B. Thompson Student Center Lobby
Noon – Oscar P’s Birthday Bash, RELLIS Campus
7 p.m. – Silver Taps Ceremony, Alumni Island
Wednesday, April 9
11:30 a.m. – Waffle Wednesday, Fort Worth Campus
6 p.m. – Black Student Union Presents Tarleton State Olympics, Intramural Fields
Thursday, April 10
11 a.m. – SAAM T-shirt Tabling, Barry B. Thompson Student Center Lobby
11 a.m. – Oscar P’s Birthday Bash, Waco Campus
8 p.m. – Oscar P’s Birthday Bash and Spring Concert, Aquatics Center Parking Lot
Friday, April 11
9 a.m. – Ring Statue Dedication, Ring Statue on Rudder Way
10 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Ring Ceremonies, Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center Auditorium
3 p.m. – May Fete, Heritage Park
4 p.m. – Softball Doubleheader vs. Utah Valley, Tarleton Softball Complex
6 p.m. – Baseball vs. University of Texas at Arlington, Tarleton Baseball Complex
Saturday, April 12
8 a.m. – Tarleton BBQ Association Presents BBQ Cook-Off, Texan Alley
8 a.m. – Back to Our Roots 5K, Tarleton State Agriculture Center
8 a.m. – Purple and White Tailgate, Texan Alley
Noon – Purple and White Game, Memorial Stadium
1 p.m. – Softball vs. Utah Valley, Tarleton Softball Complex
3 p.m. – Baseball vs. University of Texas at Arlington, Tarleton Baseball Complex
For more information on Tarleton State Founder’s Week, visit www.tarleton.edu/foundersweek/.
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 approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 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.