The O.W.L.S. Club By Frank Chamberlain Social clubs have been a key component of student life at Tarleton for much of the school’s history. Until the arrival of fraternities and sororities to the campus in the early 1980s, such student organizations provided the primary means for the extracurricular activity of Tarleton students. This late introduction of fraternities and sororities was due to the fact that this school was a junior college for the majority of its existence and because of a ban on such groups imposed by the Texas A&M System that lasted until the 1980s. (Guthrie 359). The O.W.L.S. were one of the longest lasting of the early social societies of Tarleton. This female organization was founded in 1924 with the purpose of being a “group of girls who strive to create a feeling of friendship and to promote a closer tie of social relationship among the girls of the college.” The acronym “O.W.L.S.” represented the optimistic words “Owls Win or Lose Smiling.” Like the other early campus clubs, the O.W.L.S. were primarily interested in promoting camaraderie by sponsoring celebrations such as the annual “Blue Christmas Ball” and the “Playboy Dance.” The O.W.L.S. had faded from the campus scene by the mid-1980s (last appearing in the 1984 Grassburr). (The J-TAC 3/18/69) During World War II, the O.W.L.S. (under the sponsorship of May Jones) compiled photos and records of every Tarleton student and faculty member killed in action. This scrapbook contained personal information such as hometown, names of parents, and college major. It also included military related data including branch of service, awards received, and date, location, and manner of death. The diligence of Miss Jones and the O.W.L.S. club insured that the memory of these 181 fallen students would not be forgotten. This scrapbook is now held in the Tarleton archives at the Dick Smith Library and the contents are now available on this website. Guthrie, Christopher. John Tarleton and his Legacy: The History of Tarleton State University, 1899-1999. Acton, MA: Tapestry Press, 1999. 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 > The O.W.L.S. Club