Big changes are happening at Tarleton
By: Taite Read
Art Director
Tarleton State University students should expect big changes happening on campus.
Tarleton is home for many students, staff and alumni. Most of the students come to the university because they feel like part of a community.
Dr. James Hurley became the 16th President at Tarleton in 2019. Hurley has had a big impact on the recent changes at the university.
The university moved up to a Division I university in the fall of 2020, which has sparked even more changes.
According to Hood County News, “Tarleton is the fastest growing campus in the Texas A&M system.”
Tarleton’s Campus Master Plan was released in August 2020 and shows the growth students will see on the Tarleton campuses.
When the fall 2022 semester begins, different projects will be ongoing, and some will already be finished.
New parking signs are set up around campus. They display the hours of the lot along with which parking zone it is. A few parking lots were renumbered.
Faculty and students will no longer need a physical parking permit. Instead, they will register their license plate through the Tarleton Parking Portal to receive a virtual permit.
Returning students will see the construction of the new track and intramural field next to Memorial Stadium.
Tarleton will also be receiving a Convocation and Event Center. The $110 million project was approved by the Texas A&M University Board of Regents.
This building will have multiple uses.
“Seating up to 7,500, the multipurpose center will sport NCAA Division I basketball facilities and room for academic symposiums, conferences, conventions and concerts. Tarleton convocations, commencements and student activities will have a permanent indoor home, and Stephenville will enjoy increased revenue from community and regional events,” according to an email sent by Marketing and Communications to Tarleton students.
Photo by: Taite Read
The hydrology building is under construction. Currently, they are remodeling one of the floors for offices. The building will also house a common area for student-athletes. The other construction plans for the hydrology building have not been finalized.
Moody Hall, an old dormitory at the Stephenville campus, is being remodeled for a Child Development Center. Tarleton is finalizing the details and hopes to open this fall.
Dick Smith Library will be expanding to provide new services and spaces for students.
Located closely behind the library is the engineering building, which will be changing into its own college and be named in honor of Dwain Mayfield.
“The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents today approved turning Tarleton State University’s School of Engineering into a stand-alone college and naming it in honor of longtime benefactor and retired Lockheed Martin executive Dr. Dwain Mayfield,” Tarleton said.
The College of Health Sciences and Human Services is being renamed to the College of Health Sciences. Kinesiology will be joining the College of Health Sciences.
Along with exciting changes and projects happening on campus, there are also significant changes happening in the classrooms.
Students should expect a couple of new deans around campus.
Ramona Parker will be the new associate vice president and executive dean of the College of Health Sciences.
Dr. Kayla Peak has been a part of the Tarleton faculty team since 2006. She was recently just named the dean of Kinesiology.
Col. Doug Simon was chosen to be the commandant of Tarleton’s Corps of Cadets. Simon will also fulfill the dean of the Leadership and Military College position.
There will also be a new Interprofessional Education Building. The $66 million, 100,000 square foot project is taking place at the Tarleton Fort Worth campus.
The Fort Worth campus will offer more degree plans for students when the new facility opens. Tarleton is hoping the Fort Worth campus construction will be done sometime in 2024.
Tarleton is not the small campus it used to be, and the university is expected to keep growing.
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