1. Taking pictures of and with a smokestack.
First off, it is not just a smokestack, it is most certainly THE smokestack. It is not simply just a chimney to us it is a North Star if you will. It can be seen from Highway 281 as you enter Stephenville. It is not just where smoke exits but where a brick entered...thanks NTAC. When the smokestack is purple it is a reminder of tradition and in several cases an award of a job well done.
2. Being a human being and having a Mama and Papa Duck.
Incoming students can take part in Duck Camp were two leaders will show them the ropes to TSU tradition and life on campus. This pair will indeed treat the student like a baby duck, taking care of them and watching over them as their own. We even teach them how to waddle.
3. The Purple Poo/ Poo signs.
Yes I said poo and no it wasn't a typo. The Purple Poo are the oldest spirit organization in the state of Texas and lucky for us they call Tarleton home. However, grown people running around campus, concealed head to toe and speaking in high voices is apparently weird to some people, as well as participating in such crazy acts to receive a sign from one of these people. That being said, Tarleton students realize the significance of these spirit-filled students and the joy that comes from getting to say "I got a Poo Sign!!"
4. Eating breakfast at midnight as a campus.
During homecoming week at Tarleton we have an actual event called Midnight Breakfast. This special night students are served eggs, pancakes, sausage and a load of fun. The President of the university and those Poo we talked about earlier even make a special appearance. That's just part of it tough...
5. We eat purple pancakes and it's kind of a big deal.
At this Midnight Breakfast event, as I mentioned earlier, the students are served pancakes but they aren't just any pancakes, they're purple. By purple, I mean dyed with purple food-coloring. We line up, snap pics, and post on social media about these purpulicious pancakes.
6. Breaking out in dance when "Everytime We Touch" by Cascada comes on.
At Duck Camp, Transition Week and several other occasions this song comes on and we start dancing. Most won't forget the first time they sang "Wing! Wing! Waddle! Waddle! Waddle!" When this song comes on in places other than campus we high-key struggle not to dance.
7. Putting Rubber Ducks in our pool.
Also during homecoming week TSU students have the chance to put their wishes or goals on the bottom of a rubber a duck and launch them into the reflective pool on campus. It's not every day that you see rubber ducks swimming along on your walk to class.
8. Not walking on the grass.
Some college campuses avoid the grass as well, but they don't have a spirit organization that tackles you if you fail to do so. Remember those Poo we talked about earlier? Well, when I said they are very spirited, I meant it!
9. Beating the drum at various hours in the night/morning.
Another one of Tarleton's great traditions is the beating of the drum. Each year, for the duration of homecoming, multiple organizations and residence halls beat an oil barrel to fend off the enemy, also known as NTAC.
10. Our President lives on campus and is the coolest guy ever.
Dr. Dottavio lives in the Trogdon House in the middle of campus. Talk about a guy who bleeds purple! Dr. D was spotted learning how to ride a hoverboard earlier this semester, not to mention he plays a huge role in events all over campus. He is certainly active and involved on campus and the students acknowledge that.
11. We snakedance.
Once again here's another homecoming tradition. After Yell, students link arms and snakedance through campus to the amphitheater where the drum beating begins. If you weren't a TSU student and witnessed this taking place, you might be a bit skeptical.
12. We know how to BLEED PURPLE.
TSU students start bleeding purple from the day they come to orientation. They learn our chants and cheers but most of all they learn our spirit and Core Values. From Purple Thursdays, to purple pancakes it's true to say it's in our blood. If there is one thing I can say about this university it would have to be that I am amazed at the way I have truly fallen in love with it. Never have I seen a campus that is so tight and so closely resembles a family. The environment that the faculty and staff have created is one that cannot be replicated. That's something that a simple "Thank you" does not do justice for.
