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125 Years of History at Tarleton State

1808
John Tarleton was Born
photo of john tarleton

There is no documentation of his birth, but it is believed John Tarleton was born in November 1808. Orphaned at an early age, John went to live with an aunt in Vermont, and his brother was sent to another relative in Virginia. Tarleton tried to join the army, but John,…
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1899
John Tarleton College is Established
college established

John Tarleton College opened its doors on September 4, 1899 with W. H. Bruce as president.

William Herschell Bruce is Tarleton’s President
William Herschell

President William Herschell Bruce is inaugurated in 1899 and serves as President until 1900.

1900
Edgar Elliot Bramlette is Tarleton’s President
Edgar Elliott Bramlette

President Bramlett is inaugurated in 1900 and serves as President until 1906.

1902
The First Red Brick Building on Campus
Red Brick Building

The original Science building was built. The first red brick building on campus

1906
John Tarleton College becomes a junior college academy program
group of female and male students posing for photo

John Tarleton College becomes a junior college academy program.

Frank M. Martin is Tarleton’s President
Frank M Martin

President Frank M. Martin is inaugurated in 1906 and serves as President until 1908.

1908
J.D. Sandefer is Tarleton’s President
JD Sandefer

President J.D. Sandefer is inaugurated in 1908 and served as President until 1909.

1909
Elzy Dee Jennings is Tarleton’s President
Elzy Dee Jennings as Tarletons President

President Elzy Dee Jennings is inaugurated in 1909 and served as President until 1911.

1910
The First Women’s Dorm
photo of first womens dorm

The first women’s dorm, Wilkerson Hall, was erected.

1911
George J. Nunn is Tarleton’s President
George J Nunn

President George J. Nunn is inaugurated in 1911 and served as President until 1912.

1912
Roswell W. Rogers is Tarleton’s President
Roswell Rogers

President Roswell W. Rogers is inaugurated in 1912 and served as President until 1913.

1913
James Duncan Hughlett is Tarleton’s President
James Duncan Hughlett

President James Duncan Hughlett is inaugurated in 1913 and served as President until 1913.

James Franklin Cox is Tarleton’s President
James F Cox

President James Franklin Cox is inaugurated in 1913 and served as President until 1919.

1916
1917
John Tarleton College becomes part of the Texas A&M University System
photo of TAMUS logo

John Tarleton College becomes part of The Texas A&M University System. Name is change to John Tarleton Agricultural College.

The first Purple Book was published
photo of the purple book

The original student handbook, otherwise known as the “Purple Book,” was released. This book contained the rules and regulations that students were expected to follow.

1919
James Thomas Davis is Tarleton’s President
James Thomas Davis

President James Thomas Davis is inaugurated in 1919 and served as President until 1947.

The J-TAC newspaper is first published
photo of students working on the jtac

Formerly known as the “Tarletonite”, the official campus newspaper currently known title “The JTAC.”

1921
1922
The “cannon” is brought to Tarleton
on campus cannon

The cannon is brought to Tarleton from Fort Sam Houston to be used in ROTC training.

1923
1924
“Plowboys” mascot is adopted
photo of a group of plowboys students

“Plowboys” mascot is adopted. Coach W.J. Wisdom held a contest for a new mascot, but ended up coming up with the name himself.

1927
Tarleton football went undefeated
image of students from tarleton football team

Tarleton’s football team went undefeated with the coaching of Coach Wisdom.

1928
1929
1931
1934
1936
National record 86 game winning streak
photo of basketball team

Once a national record 86 game winning streak achieved by Coach W.J. Wisdom’s men’s basketball teams between 1934 and 1938.

1938
1939
1945
L.V. Risinger throws a 2×4 at an NTAC airplane
l.v. risinger plane and 2x4

L.V. Risinger throws a 2×4 at an NTAC student airplane that attempts to bomb the Homecoming bonfire. The plane crash-lands, but the students are okay.

1947
E.J. Howell is Tarleton’s President
EJ Howell

President E.J. Howell is inaugurated in 1947 and served as President until 1967.

1949
John Tarleton Agricultural College becomes known as Tarleton State College
tarleton gates

John Tarleton Agricultural College becomes known as Tarleton State College to reflect the liberal arts offerings.

The Wainwright Rifles made their first appearance at Tarleton
students in formation

The Wainwright Rifles made their first appearance at Tarleton.

1951
1953
1957
1959
1961
“Texans” and “TexAnns” mascots are adopted
texan rider mascot

“Texans” and “TexAnns” mascots were adopted, and the horse and rider became the new athletic mascot of the university.

1963
The Wainwright Rifles performed at the Inauguration Parade
wainwright rifles marching at inauguration parade

The Wainwright Rifles performed at the Inauguration Parade for President John F. Kennedy.

The original Hunewell Bandstand is taken down
bandstand takendown

The original Hunewell Bandstand is taken down to make room for the Tarleton Center.

1966
Class of 1963 first to Graduate with Bachelor’s Degree
poster with photos of first bachelor graduating class in 1963

The 29 members of the class of 1963 were the first class to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.

1967
William Oren Trogdon is Tarleton’s President
William O Trogdon

President William Oren Trogdon is inaugurated in 1967 and serves as President until 1983.

1970
1973
1974
1978
1980
1983
Barry Baird Thompson is Tarleton’s President
Barry B Thompson

President Barry B. Thompson is inaugurated in 1983 and serves as President until 1992.

1984
First sorority and national Greek organization chartered
sorority

Alpha Gamma Delta becomes the first sorority and national Greek organization chartered at Tarleton State University.

First national fraternity colonized
faternity

The first national fraternity, Kappa Alpha, colonized at Tarleton State University.

1986
Oldest fraternity colonized
fraternity colonization

The oldest fraternity still on campus, Lambda Chi Alpha, is colonized

1988
The first class of RN’s received their A.A. degrees
first class of registered nurses recieving AA degrees

The first class of RN’s received their A.A. degrees and almost all passed the state board exams for nursing.

1990
1991
1992
Dennis Patrick McCabe is Tarleton’s President
patrick mccabe headshot

President Dennis Patrick McCabe is inaugurated in 1992 and serves as President until 2009.

1996
Langdon Center Donated to Tarleton
langdoncenter

The Chrysalis Foundation donated the center to Tarleton State University in June 1996, when it was renamed the Dora Lee Langdon Cultural Center.

2001
Planetarium is established
planetarium

Tarleton Science Planetarium features a Digistar II digital starfield projector, 18 photographic slide projectors, two video projectors and surround sound under a 40′ (12.192m) dome. Our 56-set theatre is truly a fitting environment in which to explore the wonders of the universe.

2002
The Military Memorial is built
military memorial

The Military Memorial in Heritage Oak Park is built and dedicated by the Tarleton Alumni Association.

Gordon Center opens
gordoncenter

Tarleton State University Foundation, Inc. built the Center, with support from Mrs. W.K. Gordon, Jr., Erath County, and the Texas Department of Transportation. It opened to the public in November 2002 and attracts thousands of visitors each year to exhibits and special programs.

2005
2007
2008
Hickman building opens
hickman building

Tarleton State University extended the reach of state-supported, affordable education by expanding undergraduate and graduate programs to Fort Worth.

2009
F. Dominic Dottavio is Tarleton’s President
Dottavio

President Dominic Dottavio is inaugurated in 2009 and serves as President until 2019.

2011
2012
2013
Rodeo Hall of Fame was established
rodeohalloffame

The Rodeo Hall of Fame honors past students for their great accomplishments.

2014
Tarleton Partners with Balfour Beatty to build new residence halls
privatecompany

Tarleton becomes first university in A&M system to partner with private company to build new residence halls.

Science Building renamed to Lamar Johanson Science Building
Tarleton State Science Building

Tarleton unveiled a new name for its Science Building to honor longtime professor and philanthropist Dr. Lamar Johanson.

2015
Davene Carter named Dark Horse Dunker
davene carter

In the final round alone, the total votes between Carter and West Texas A&M’s Antjuan Ball tallied over 34,000 with the difference between first and second place coming in at .001 percent. Due to the abundance of support for both athletes, the contest committee has decided to accept both competitors…
Read More

Tarleton Basketball makes NCAA Division II Final Four
basketball champions

The Texans completed their 2014-2015 season with a school record 31 wins and advanced to this year’s NCAA Final Four after winning the Lone Star Conference championship and NCAA South Central Region Tournament championship.

Golf sets LSC record
tarleton students at golf lsc champions

Tarleton Women’s Golf Team sets LSC record with 8 tournament championships.

2016
John Tarleton’s Statue is unveiled
Board members unveiling the John T statue

John Tarleton and his legendary companion, Oscar P., came home Monday night, July 27th, 2015, to the university that bears his name, looking younger than ever and larger than life. Fireworks danced across the sky of Tarleton State University’s Stephenville campus as faculty, staff, students and key community leaders and…
Read More

2017
2018
2019
Texans Invited to join Western Athletic Conference and begin transition to NCAA Division I
Football player running with the ball

The Texans started WAC regular-season competition during the 2020-21 school year and became eligible for NCAA Division I postseason play beginning with the 2024-25 season.

2020
2021
2022
2023
Lonn Reisman announces retirement after serving as the longest-tenured AD in school history
Lonn Reisman in Memorial Stadium

During his tenure, Tarleton State made 41 NCAA playoff appearances and won 14 NCAA tournament regional championships, 20 conference tournament championships, 14 regular season conference championships and 19 division championships.

2024
First female to female change of command for Corps of Cadets
First female change of command.

Cadet Zemoni Hopkins, Tarleton State’s third-ever female cadet corps commander, succeeded Cadet Kaleigh Peacock.

Tarleton State awards first-ever Ph.D.
Mark Brown first phd awarded.

Mark Brown crossed the stage at summer commencement to receive his doctorate in criminal justice, marking the first Ph.D. ever conferred by the university.

New Research and Economic Development Building opens
Research and Economic building Grand Opening

State-of-the-art facility shared with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Texan baseball wins WAC Tournament
Tarleton baseball players all together

Tarleton State baseball becomes the first reclassifying program to win a conference tournament at the NCAA Division I level.

Athletics finishes reclassification to Division I
Football on the turf

After successfully completing the four-year reclassification period, Tarleton State University is officially welcome as a full-fledged NCAA Division I institution.

1899-1924

125 Years of History at Tarleton State

1899
John Tarleton College is Established
college established

John Tarleton College opened its doors on September 4, 1899 with W. H. Bruce as president.

William Herschell Bruce is Tarleton’s President
William Herschell

President William Herschell Bruce is inaugurated in 1899 and serves as President until 1900.

1900
Edgar Elliot Bramlette is Tarleton’s President
Edgar Elliott Bramlette

President Bramlett is inaugurated in 1900 and serves as President until 1906.

1902
The First Red Brick Building on Campus
Red Brick Building

The original Science building was built. The first red brick building on campus

1906
John Tarleton College becomes a junior college academy program
group of female and male students posing for photo

John Tarleton College becomes a junior college academy program.

Frank M. Martin is Tarleton’s President
Frank M Martin

President Frank M. Martin is inaugurated in 1906 and serves as President until 1908.

1908
J.D. Sandefer is Tarleton’s President
JD Sandefer

President J.D. Sandefer is inaugurated in 1908 and served as President until 1909.

1909
Elzy Dee Jennings is Tarleton’s President
Elzy Dee Jennings as Tarletons President

President Elzy Dee Jennings is inaugurated in 1909 and served as President until 1911.

1910
The First Women’s Dorm
photo of first womens dorm

The first women’s dorm, Wilkerson Hall, was erected.

1911
George J. Nunn is Tarleton’s President
George J Nunn

President George J. Nunn is inaugurated in 1911 and served as President until 1912.

1912
Roswell W. Rogers is Tarleton’s President
Roswell Rogers

President Roswell W. Rogers is inaugurated in 1912 and served as President until 1913.

1913
James Duncan Hughlett is Tarleton’s President
James Duncan Hughlett

President James Duncan Hughlett is inaugurated in 1913 and served as President until 1913.

James Franklin Cox is Tarleton’s President
James F Cox

President James Franklin Cox is inaugurated in 1913 and served as President until 1919.

1916
1917
John Tarleton College becomes part of the Texas A&M University System
photo of TAMUS logo

John Tarleton College becomes part of The Texas A&M University System. Name is change to John Tarleton Agricultural College.

The first Purple Book was published
photo of the purple book

The original student handbook, otherwise known as the “Purple Book,” was released. This book contained the rules and regulations that students were expected to follow.

1919
James Thomas Davis is Tarleton’s President
James Thomas Davis

President James Thomas Davis is inaugurated in 1919 and served as President until 1947.

The J-TAC newspaper is first published
photo of students working on the jtac

Formerly known as the “Tarletonite”, the official campus newspaper currently known title “The JTAC.”

1921
1922
The “cannon” is brought to Tarleton
on campus cannon

The cannon is brought to Tarleton from Fort Sam Houston to be used in ROTC training.

1923
1924
“Plowboys” mascot is adopted
photo of a group of plowboys students

“Plowboys” mascot is adopted. Coach W.J. Wisdom held a contest for a new mascot, but ended up coming up with the name himself.

1925-1950

125 Years of History at Tarleton State

1927
Tarleton football went undefeated
image of students from tarleton football team

Tarleton’s football team went undefeated with the coaching of Coach Wisdom.

1928
1929
1931
1934
1936
National record 86 game winning streak
photo of basketball team

Once a national record 86 game winning streak achieved by Coach W.J. Wisdom’s men’s basketball teams between 1934 and 1938.

1938
1939
1945
L.V. Risinger throws a 2×4 at an NTAC airplane
l.v. risinger plane and 2x4

L.V. Risinger throws a 2×4 at an NTAC student airplane that attempts to bomb the Homecoming bonfire. The plane crash-lands, but the students are okay.

1947
E.J. Howell is Tarleton’s President
EJ Howell

President E.J. Howell is inaugurated in 1947 and served as President until 1967.

1949
John Tarleton Agricultural College becomes known as Tarleton State College
tarleton gates

John Tarleton Agricultural College becomes known as Tarleton State College to reflect the liberal arts offerings.

The Wainwright Rifles made their first appearance at Tarleton
students in formation

The Wainwright Rifles made their first appearance at Tarleton.

1951-1975

125 Years of History at Tarleton State

1951
1953
1957
1959
1961
“Texans” and “TexAnns” mascots are adopted
texan rider mascot

“Texans” and “TexAnns” mascots were adopted, and the horse and rider became the new athletic mascot of the university.

1963
The Wainwright Rifles performed at the Inauguration Parade
wainwright rifles marching at inauguration parade

The Wainwright Rifles performed at the Inauguration Parade for President John F. Kennedy.

The original Hunewell Bandstand is taken down
bandstand takendown

The original Hunewell Bandstand is taken down to make room for the Tarleton Center.

1966
Class of 1963 first to Graduate with Bachelor’s Degree
poster with photos of first bachelor graduating class in 1963

The 29 members of the class of 1963 were the first class to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.

1967
William Oren Trogdon is Tarleton’s President
William O Trogdon

President William Oren Trogdon is inaugurated in 1967 and serves as President until 1983.

1970
1973
1974
1976-2000

125 Years of History at Tarleton State

1978
1980
1983
Barry Baird Thompson is Tarleton’s President
Barry B Thompson

President Barry B. Thompson is inaugurated in 1983 and serves as President until 1992.

1984
First sorority and national Greek organization chartered
sorority

Alpha Gamma Delta becomes the first sorority and national Greek organization chartered at Tarleton State University.

First national fraternity colonized
faternity

The first national fraternity, Kappa Alpha, colonized at Tarleton State University.

1986
Oldest fraternity colonized
fraternity colonization

The oldest fraternity still on campus, Lambda Chi Alpha, is colonized

1988
The first class of RN’s received their A.A. degrees
first class of registered nurses recieving AA degrees

The first class of RN’s received their A.A. degrees and almost all passed the state board exams for nursing.

1990
1991
1992
Dennis Patrick McCabe is Tarleton’s President
patrick mccabe headshot

President Dennis Patrick McCabe is inaugurated in 1992 and serves as President until 2009.

1996
Langdon Center Donated to Tarleton
langdoncenter

The Chrysalis Foundation donated the center to Tarleton State University in June 1996, when it was renamed the Dora Lee Langdon Cultural Center.

2001-2024

125 Years of History at Tarleton State

2001
Planetarium is established
planetarium

Tarleton Science Planetarium features a Digistar II digital starfield projector, 18 photographic slide projectors, two video projectors and surround sound under a 40′ (12.192m) dome. Our 56-set theatre is truly a fitting environment in which to explore the wonders of the universe.

2002
The Military Memorial is built
military memorial

The Military Memorial in Heritage Oak Park is built and dedicated by the Tarleton Alumni Association.

Gordon Center opens
gordoncenter

Tarleton State University Foundation, Inc. built the Center, with support from Mrs. W.K. Gordon, Jr., Erath County, and the Texas Department of Transportation. It opened to the public in November 2002 and attracts thousands of visitors each year to exhibits and special programs.

2005
2007
2008
Hickman building opens
hickman building

Tarleton State University extended the reach of state-supported, affordable education by expanding undergraduate and graduate programs to Fort Worth.

2009
F. Dominic Dottavio is Tarleton’s President
Dottavio

President Dominic Dottavio is inaugurated in 2009 and serves as President until 2019.

2011
2012
2013
Rodeo Hall of Fame was established
rodeohalloffame

The Rodeo Hall of Fame honors past students for their great accomplishments.

2014
Tarleton Partners with Balfour Beatty to build new residence halls
privatecompany

Tarleton becomes first university in A&M system to partner with private company to build new residence halls.

Science Building renamed to Lamar Johanson Science Building
Tarleton State Science Building

Tarleton unveiled a new name for its Science Building to honor longtime professor and philanthropist Dr. Lamar Johanson.

2015
Davene Carter named Dark Horse Dunker
davene carter

In the final round alone, the total votes between Carter and West Texas A&M’s Antjuan Ball tallied over 34,000 with the difference between first and second place coming in at .001 percent. Due to the abundance of support for both athletes, the contest committee has decided to accept both competitors…
Read More

Tarleton Basketball makes NCAA Division II Final Four
basketball champions

The Texans completed their 2014-2015 season with a school record 31 wins and advanced to this year’s NCAA Final Four after winning the Lone Star Conference championship and NCAA South Central Region Tournament championship.

Golf sets LSC record
tarleton students at golf lsc champions

Tarleton Women’s Golf Team sets LSC record with 8 tournament championships.

2016
John Tarleton’s Statue is unveiled
Board members unveiling the John T statue

John Tarleton and his legendary companion, Oscar P., came home Monday night, July 27th, 2015, to the university that bears his name, looking younger than ever and larger than life. Fireworks danced across the sky of Tarleton State University’s Stephenville campus as faculty, staff, students and key community leaders and…
Read More

2017
2018
2019
Texans Invited to join Western Athletic Conference and begin transition to NCAA Division I
Football player running with the ball

The Texans started WAC regular-season competition during the 2020-21 school year and became eligible for NCAA Division I postseason play beginning with the 2024-25 season.

2020
2021
2022
2023
Lonn Reisman announces retirement after serving as the longest-tenured AD in school history
Lonn Reisman in Memorial Stadium

During his tenure, Tarleton State made 41 NCAA playoff appearances and won 14 NCAA tournament regional championships, 20 conference tournament championships, 14 regular season conference championships and 19 division championships.

2024
First female to female change of command for Corps of Cadets
First female change of command.

Cadet Zemoni Hopkins, Tarleton State’s third-ever female cadet corps commander, succeeded Cadet Kaleigh Peacock.

Tarleton State awards first-ever Ph.D.
Mark Brown first phd awarded.

Mark Brown crossed the stage at summer commencement to receive his doctorate in criminal justice, marking the first Ph.D. ever conferred by the university.

New Research and Economic Development Building opens
Research and Economic building Grand Opening

State-of-the-art facility shared with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Texan baseball wins WAC Tournament
Tarleton baseball players all together

Tarleton State baseball becomes the first reclassifying program to win a conference tournament at the NCAA Division I level.

Athletics finishes reclassification to Division I
Football on the turf

After successfully completing the four-year reclassification period, Tarleton State University is officially welcome as a full-fledged NCAA Division I institution.