New students arriving at The University of Texas at Austin will gather in front of the Tower to celebrate “Gone To Texas,” the university’s official welcome for incoming students including freshmen and transfer, graduate and law students. The celebration introduces the newest Longhorns to the traditions of the institution and its core purpose, values and honor code.
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 26, 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: The Main Mall on the south side of the university’s Tower.
WEBCAST: “Gone To Texas” will be broadcast live on the Web with video streaming beginning at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Regular stream website: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/utaustin
BACKGROUND: “Gone To Texas” will involve about 8,000 new students and guests and will feature live performances, the official welcome, special guest speakers and presentations, and a finale by the Longhorn Band.
The university’s schools and colleges also have scheduled programs earlier in the evening to welcome new students and introduce them to fellow students, faculty members and staffers. A list of the pre-event activities by schools and colleges is available online at http://events.utexas.edu/gtt/schedule.
The first “Gone to Texas” welcoming event on campus was held in 1997. The event’s theme is inspired by a chapter of Texas history. About 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.”
As a part of the program, the university’s Tower will be lit burnt orange to celebrate the arrival of the newest adventurers who have gone to Texas.
Details about “Gone To Texas” are available at http://events.utexas.edu/gtt.