The Tower at The University of Texas at Austin will be lighted orange tonight (Tuesday, Aug. 24) in celebration of Gone to Texas, the annual event welcoming new students to campus.
The Gone to Texas program — on the evening before classes start on Aug. 25 — highlights what it means to be a Longhorn and the academic mission of the university. It will include special guest speakers, live performances and a finale featuring the Longhorn Band. The university’s schools and colleges also have scheduled programs earlier in the evening to welcome their new students and introduce them to fellow students, faculty and staff.
Gone to Texas introduces new students, including incoming freshmen, transfer, graduate and law students, to the traditions of the institution and core purpose, values and honor code of the university.
The theme is based on a chapter in the history of the migration to Texas. More than 200 years ago, as adventurers pulled up stakes seeking a fresh start, three letters etched on homestead doors revealed their destination. “GTT” was written on the doors of people indicating they had “Gone to Texas.”
Gone to Texas begins at 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 24, on the university’s Main Mall. A list of the pre-event activities by schools and colleges is online.
