INSIDE ON CAMPUS

An enduring icon of the university for 70 years, the Tower stands as a symbol of excellence and opportunity

Another class of Longhorns began their journey at The University of Texas at Austin on Aug. 28 with the traditional Gone to Texas welcome party on the Tower steps. The Tower will become a familiar site to them over the next several years and a place where students will eventually find themselves again at the end of their journey, celebrating commencement.

A symbol of academic excellence and personal opportunity, the Tower represents accomplishment, success and over the years has also unified the university and the community in times of sorrow and remembrance. Through its lighting configurations, the Tower marks days of remembrance, recognizes campus-wide events, honors achievements and celebrates athletic victories.

The Tower is not only a source of pride for students, alumni, faculty and staff, but also the people of Austin and Texas. Countless generations have walked past the 307-foot tall Tower since it was completed in 1937 and while times have changed, the Tower and what it represents have remained constant.

The building is truly the symbol which its designer Paul Cret intended, "the image carried in our memory when we think of the place."

The Tower goes orange when a university team wins a championship. The football team ranked No. 1 in the nation after winning the Rose Bowl in 2006.
Photo: Marsha Miller

The "L" stood for Lance when the university turned the tables on one of its top football fans. Lance Armstrong, and cheered his third straight Tour de France victory in 2001.
Photo: Marsha Miller

The Tower turned dark on April 23, 2007 as the campus community gathered for a candlelight vigil to remember the victims of the shooting deaths of students at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Photo: Marsha Miller

An ice storm in January 2007 closed the campus and arrayed the Tower in icicle accessories.
Photo: Marsha Miller

The Burleson Bells at the Performing Arts Center framed the Tower when it was darkened to commemorate the anniversary of the terrorists attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Photo: Marsha Miller

A fireworks display concludes commencement, sending graduates into the future with a fiery farewell
Photo: Marsha Miller

The Gone To Texas celebration welcomes new students to campus. It ends with teh lighting of the Tower as the Longhorn Band plays "The Eyes of Texas."
Photo: Marsha Miller

Tower top and cumulus clouds from the west at sunset.
Photo: Marsha Miller

Tower at sunset with storm clouds and rainbow, July 2007.
Photo: Marsha Miller

UT Tower

Large version of rollover thumbnails above.