Texas Lutheran University facts for kids
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Former names
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Evangelical Lutheran College (1891–1912) Lutheran College of Seguin (1912–1932) Texas Lutheran College (1932–1996) |
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Motto | Veritas Christi Liberat Homines |
Motto in English
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The truth of Christ sets people free |
Type | Private university |
Established | 1891 |
Religious affiliation
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Evangelical Lutheran Church in America |
Endowment | $95.68 million (2022) |
President | Debbie Cottrell |
Undergraduates | 1,400 |
Location |
,
U.S.
29°34′26″N 97°59′10″W / 29.574°N 97.986°W |
Campus | Small town/Suburban |
Colors | Black and gold |
Nickname | Bulldogs |
Sporting affiliations
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Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Division III |
Mascot | Lucky the Bulldog |
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Texas Lutheran University (TLU) is a private university connected to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It is located in the city of Seguin, Texas. The university is a place where students can earn bachelor's and master's degrees in many different subjects.
Contents
History of the University
TLU started in 1891 as a small school called Evangelical Lutheran College in Brenham, Texas. The school had money problems, but in 1912, business leaders in Seguin offered land and money to move the school.
The school was renamed the Lutheran College of Seguin and started with just one building and 46 students. Over the years, it grew by joining with other colleges. In 1929, it combined with Trinity College from Round Rock. A year later, it changed its name to Texas Lutheran College. In 1954, it absorbed Clifton College, bringing in more teachers and students.
By 1948, the school offered four-year degrees. A big celebration happened in 1953 when it was fully recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Finally, in 1996, the school became Texas Lutheran University, the name it has today. From a single building, TLU has grown to a large campus with over 40 buildings on 184 acres.
Learning at TLU
Texas Lutheran University is known for its strong academic programs. U.S. News & World Report ranked it as one of the best universities in the western region in 2022.
The university is accredited, which means it meets high standards for education. Many of its specific programs, like business and education, are also approved by special organizations. This ensures students get a quality education.
A Look at the Campus
The TLU campus is a beautiful space with over 40 buildings spread across 184 acres. It even has a biology field station at nearby Lake McQueeney. The campus is filled with oak trees, colorful flowers, and art made by students.
Chapel of the Abiding Presence
In the center of the campus stands the Chapel of the Abiding Presence. This beautiful stone building was built in 1954. After a fire in 1969, it was rebuilt with a modern interior. Today, the chapel is used for services, meetings, and weddings for students and alumni. Services are held three times a week and are open to everyone.
Important Campus Buildings
- Langner Hall is named after the university's first president. It holds classrooms and offices for subjects like history and English. It also has a museum and an outdoor garden for studying geology.
- The Alumni Student Center (ASC) is a busy spot for students. It has the campus bookstore, a snack bar, a post office, and places to hang out. It also has offices that help students with their careers and well-being.
- The Blumberg Library opened in 1970 and has over 262,000 books and other items. Students can also use its online system to find information for their classes.
- The Hein Dining Hall is the main place for students to eat on campus. It has different food stations and several dining rooms for meetings and events.
- Jackson Auditorium is a large theater that seats 1,050 people. It is used for concerts, special speakers, and other big events for both the university and the local community.
Where Students Live
TLU has several housing options for students. There are residence halls (dorms) for freshmen and sophomores. Some are co-ed (for both men and women), while others are for a single gender.
Older students, like juniors and seniors, can live in on-campus apartments. These apartments have more space and include kitchens. There is also special housing for students who are married or have children.
Arts and Sports Buildings
The Schuech Fine Arts Center is a hub for creativity. It has a theater, a recital hall, art labs, and music studios.
The Jesse H. Jones Physical Education Complex is for sports and fitness. It has a large gym for basketball and volleyball, a swimming pool, a fitness center, and locker rooms. The campus also has fields for baseball, softball, and soccer, as well as tennis courts. In 2014, TLU opened a new stadium for football and track and field.
Student Life and Activities
Life at TLU is full of opportunities to get involved. Students can join sororities (for women) and fraternities (for men), which are social groups that also do community service.
There are also many student organizations. These include clubs related to school subjects, honor societies for high-achieving students, and groups for students with shared interests, like the Black Student Union and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Students can also work on the student-run media team or join a choir or band.
Athletics at TLU
Texas Lutheran Bulldogs | |
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University | Texas Lutheran University |
Conference | Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference |
NCAA | NCAA Division III |
Athletic director | Bill Miller |
Location | Seguin, Texas |
Varsity teams | 18 |
Football stadium | Bulldog Stadium |
Basketball arena | Jesse H. Jones Complex |
Baseball stadium | Katt-Isbel Baseball Field |
Softball stadium | Morck Softball Field |
Soccer field | Gustafson Soccer Field |
Mascot | Bulldogs |
Nickname | Bulldogs |
Colors | Black and gold |
The TLU sports teams are called the Bulldogs. About one-third of all students play on a sports team. TLU competes in the NCAA Division III. This means they play against other schools of a similar size, and students play for the love of the game, not for athletic scholarships.
Most of TLU's teams are in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC). The football team plays in the American Southwest Conference. TLU has a proud history in sports, including winning back-to-back national championships in football in 1974 and 1975.
Sports Teams
TLU has a wide variety of sports for men and women.
Men's sports | Women's sports |
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Baseball | Basketball |
Basketball | Cross Country |
Cross Country | Golf |
Football | Soccer |
Golf | Softball |
Soccer | Tennis |
Tennis | Track and field1 |
Track and field1 | Volleyball |
1 Track and field includes both indoor and outdoor seasons. |
Special Events
Christmas Vespers
Every year, TLU celebrates the holiday season with Christmas Vespers. The university choirs and band perform a special concert of music. This popular event is a tradition for both the campus and the surrounding community.
Krost Symposium
The Krost Symposium is an annual event where experts are invited to campus to talk about a specific topic. Past topics have included science, art, and social issues. The event is free and open to the public, allowing everyone to learn something new.
Famous Former Students
Many TLU graduates have gone on to have successful careers.
- Verne Lundquist is a famous sports announcer for CBS Sports. He is known for covering college football, basketball, and major golf tournaments.
- Laurie Corbelli was a member of the U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team that won a silver medal in 1984. She later became the head volleyball coach at Texas A&M University.
- Don Mischer is a famous producer and director of TV shows and live events, including the Olympics and the Super Bowl halftime show. He has won many awards for his work.
- Cameron Beckman is a professional golfer who has won tournaments on the PGA Tour.
- Edmund Kuempel served for many years as a member of the Texas House of Representatives.
- Jeff Hiller is an actor and comedian who has appeared in TV shows and movies.