Founder's Day By Frank Chamberlain Founder’s Day was the first organized tradition to be held at Tarleton. This observance took place on Thanksgiving Day of 1902. Officials decided on this date because it was believed that John Tarleton was born on this approximate date. (The actual day and year of his birth are uncertain.) The ceremony consisted of a program in the second floor auditorium of the Campus Hall and a processional to Tarleton’s grave that was located in the yard of the building. The grave was covered in flowers and the participants sang the “Founder’s Song” which was specially written for the occasion. This melody was written by faculty member Lillie Pearl Chamberlin and was sung to the tune of “America the Beautiful.” The lyrics of the song gave thanks to John Tarleton and paid tribute to the name and everlasting legacy of the benefactor and his school. Another notable Founder’s Day was held on April 30th and May 1st of 1949 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of Tarleton’s establishment. Many alumni and surviving acquaintances of John Tarleton converged on the campus for this semi-centennial reunion. The founder’s day program consisted of tribute speeches and introductions of the distinguished guests. The attendees then paraded to the founder’s gravesite where they laid a wreath and held a moment of silent prayer. The pageant was an especially elaborate program that reenacted the history of the school up until that point with actors portraying John Tarleton, J.C. George, Mary Corn Wilkerson, and many other luminous figures from the past. Earlier in the year, the name “John Tarleton Agricultural College” was changed to “Tarleton State College.” On the second day of events, Governor Beuford Jester traveled to the campus in order to give a speech and sign the bill that made the name change official. Guthrie, Christopher. John Tarleton and his Legacy: The History of Tarleton State University, 1899-1999. Acton, MA: Tapestry Press, 1999. Tarleton State University Archives, official programs and itineraries of the event, 1949 Select a Narrative Below -------------------------------------------------- Tarleton Collection -------------------- 1896 or 1899: When Was Tarleton Founded? The Bonfire Incident The Beating of the Homecoming Drum and the Bonfire Charles Wesley Froh The Dean's House at Tarleton Dennis G. Hunewell Dick Smith Dollie Marie Glover E.A. "Doc" Blanchard The Early Presidents of Tarleton The Early Years of Tarleton Athletics The Famous Cannon and the 1928 Incident First John Tarleton College Building Founder's Day George Ollie Ferguson Hal C. Doremus John Tarleton John Tarleton's Divorce John Tarleton's Various Gravesites Lily Pearl Chamberlin The Many Homes of the Tarleton Library Mary Corn Wilkerson and Her Dormitory May Fete May Jones Memorial Stadium The O.W.L.S. Club The Old Science Building Plowboys, Texans, and TexAnns The Presidency of Barry B. Thompson The Presidency of Dennis P. McCabe The Presidency of E.J. Howell The Presidency of J. Thomas Davis The Presidency of W.O. Trogdon R.O.T.C. at Tarleton Science Buildings at Tarleton The Tarleton Agricultural Tradition Tarleton Becomes Part of Texas A&M College, 1917 Tarleton Landmarks The Tarleton Military Marching Band Tarleton First Graduating Class Tarleton's Unsung Benefactor: Mrs. Pearl Cage The Tragic Tale of Hen #126 W. Doyle Graves W.J. Wisdom and "The Streak" Printer friendly page  Home > Collections > Tarleton Collection > Browse Tarleton Collection > Founder's Day