Tarleton State University

Tarleton State University is a public research university with its main campus in Stephenville, Texas. It is a founding member of the Texas A&M University System and enrolled over 15,000 students in the fall of 2022. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". History The John Tarleton College was founded in 1896 with an endowment from settler John Tarleton. John Tarleton died on September 11, 1895, and left part of his estate—mostly property—to be sold to “erect, endow and maintain” The John Tarleton College. Texas Governor Charles Allen Culberson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction James McCoy Carlisle and Erath County Judge Thomas B. King were named as trustees. On March 12, 1896, they appointed McIlhany principal, instructed him to open the college on September 7, 1896, and pay himself from tuition because the Tarleton estate lacked sufficient cash on hand. On July 3, 1897, trustees unanimously “continued” McIlhany “as President of College on same terms as year 1896–1897.” On January 11, 1898, to assist in local management of the college, trustees established a board of directors in Stephenville that re-elected McIlhany in February 1898, but trustees declined to ratify that action. On March 22, 1898, trustees Culberson and Carlisle elected William Herschel Bruce as second president of The John Tarleton College, and McIlhany left Stephenville that summer. From 1898 to 1903 he served as the first president of Goodnight College, near Goodnight, Texas.The college became a member of the Texas A&M University system in 1917, and renamed John Tarleton Agricultural College. In 1949 it was renamed Tarleton State College then became a four-year degree-granting institution in 1959. Tarleton gained status as a university in 1973 adopting its current name, Tarleton State University. In 2003 it began offering doctoral programs. Academics The university offers 85 undergraduate, 38 masters, 2 associate degree programs, and 2 doctoral programs.