5
Oh the places you’ll go after
graduation
The befores and where to next
By ALINA RANGEL
Creative Editor
Twitter Handle: @AlinaRangelJTAC
College graduation for many is a
time of reflection, it allows graduates
time to think about where they have
started, what they have learned and
how far they have come.
From there, students are often left
to wonder, ‘where to next?’
“I am looking forward to the new
opportunities, the places my degree
and the relationships I built at
Tarleton will take me, and a little
bit of freedom from homework and
exams,” Plowboy president and Ag
Business major, Koll Bickerstaff said.
Though many students plan to
spread their wings and seek work,
others intend to continue their
education as Texans.
“I’m excited to start my masters
and being able to get into my future
career,” Rodeo team member and
AGR active,” Payton Byars said. “I
will be mastering in Animal Science.”
As a tradition based university,
there are many events in which
students can create everlasting
memories and friendships.
“My favorite memory at Tarleton
has been meeting my best friends,
Jaden Craig, Summer Reflogal, and
Faith Branch,” Communications
major, Sarah Nolting said. “I know
we will all be lifelong friends after
we all go our separate ways and I can
always count on them for everything.
I have loved getting to go do all of the
traditions with them and spend my
free time with them as well.”
Each of these traditions instills
something different in students.
For some that may be feelings of
maturity, tenacity or even work ethic.
“Any of my favorite memories
at Tarleton could be watching the
basketball team each the Final Four,
our football team having back-to-
back undefeated regular seasons,
or any of the many homecoming
bonfires I’ve built here,” Bickerstaff
said.
Tarleton even instills in many core
values.
“Tarleton taught me a lot about
tradition and sticking to the values
set by the people before you. I love
seeing events and traditions on
campus that were started many
years ago that nobody outside the
university understands why we do it
but it’s still done simply because of
our love for tradition,” Bickerstaff
added.
Tarleton State University has
allowed students growth and a
new understanding for life through
greek life organizations, rodeo and
various other on-campus clubs. Many
students were drawn to the university
for such activities, just to leave with
a new understanding of what those
events really taught them.
“Tarleton has taught me better
life skills. I’m better at managing my
time; from social life, to work life,
to school life. It’s taught me how to
maintain everything,” Byars said.
Though college was a place of
safety, tradition and growth for many;
as commencement nears, many are
ready for their next chapters.
“After graduation I plan to get a
job in Montana. I love Tarleton and
I love Stephenville but it’s time for
new scenery,” Bickerstaff stated.
Tarleton graduates will go on to
remember what they have learned,
the many friends and memories they
have made. They may leave campus,
but they will not forget their Texan
pride.
“Tarleton has shown me that I can
do absolutely anything I put my mind
to and that the world is my oyster,”
Nolting said.
Commencement will take place
Dec. 10 and will be split up into two
ceremonies. For more information on
what majors graduate at what time,
visit calendar.tarleton.edu/event/.
Photos Courtesy of
Double R Flicks
Former Plowboy President, Koll
Bickerstaff will be graduating this
December as an Ag Business Major.
When pigs fly
Purple Poos revealed
through pig passing
tradition
By ASPEN HOOVER
Staff Writer
Twitter Handle: @AspenHoover
Passing of the Pigs is known to Tarleton
State University as a way for graduating Purple
Poo members to reveal who they are face-to-
face to the President. Although we have an
official unmasking ceremony for the TTS and
TTP, it was not always this way.
Many years ago, a TTP member released
a live purple painted pig onto campus. Dr.
Thompson, the President at the time, asked
the students to step up and take the blame for
the incident but students remained silent due
to fear. That was until his day of graduation,
when the student then placed a purple pig
statue into the hands of Dr. Thompson whilst
walking the stage to receive his degree. After
that day, Purple Poo alumni continued on
the tradition of passing along a personalized
purple pig to the university president
during commencement. Today, you can see
a collection of the purple pigs in the Barry
B. Thompson Student Center in a glass case
placed beside the campus bookstore.
Aspen Hoover/
The JTAC
Former Purple Poo,
Britt Robinson at
the Fall of 2020
unmasking.